Placement and Spacing
Give LPS corals room to expand without contacting aggressive neighbors. In a real reef display, a few inches of space early on prevents chemical warfare later.
Place slower-growing LPS away from fast-growing soft coral colonies that can shade or overgrow them.
Flow for LPS
Moderate, varied flow keeps detritus from settling on fleshy polyps without constantly folding them over.
Avoid blasting LPS directly with powerhead outflows; polyp damage shows up before tissue recession on some species.
Lighting
Most common LPS corals do well under moderate PAR compared to SPS zones. Start lower and observe polyp extension over two weeks.
If moving LPS upward in the tank, acclimate to higher light gradually to avoid bleaching.
Feeding
Target feeding can support growth but increases nutrient load. Feed lightly and skim consistently if you feed often.
Uneaten food in crevices is a common source of elevated nitrate and phosphate in LPS-heavy tanks.
Acclimation and Dipping
Before placing a new coral frag, match temperature and salinity in a separate container, inspect the base and mouths, and dip according to product instructions.
Dipping is one layer of pest prevention—not a guarantee. See our coral dipping and pest prevention guides for full workflows.
Parameters to Watch
Alkalinity stability matters more than chasing a perfect number. Large daily swings stress LPS tissue.
Calcium and magnesium support skeleton growth; test weekly on mature tanks, more often when adding several new corals.
Common mistakes
- Placing LPS directly under intense SPS lighting on day one
- Overfeeding and skipping skimmer cup maintenance
- Ignoring neighboring colony aggression until tissue damage appears
- Assuming dipping alone eliminates all pest risk
This guide is for general reefkeeping education. Always follow the label and safety instructions on any product you use.