Week 36: LPS coral selection, care, & placement | 52 Weeks of Reefing

The coral conversation continues this week where we learn all about LPS corals! From LPS coral care to where to get LPS corals and even some LPS coral identification; Ryan shares his favorite places to get LPS coral and how to keep LPS coral happy and healthy!
#BRS160
Feed your corals... FEED THEM!
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Last week was all about Softie and Polyp corals!
brs.li/BRS160_Week_35
In this next video, we get into those awesome SPS corals!
brs.li/BRS160_Week_37
You won't believe how many reefing videos we have! Find all of them here:
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It's reefing chemistry, science and investigative tests. It's BRStv Investigates and its for you!
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Legal Stuff
The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

[@reconnaissance7372]

If I could only have one Coral I would choose Euphyllia, you could have endless variety in color and movement and you get Frogspawns, Hammers and Torches in store all the time so you would almost always have a Coral that's as easy to care for ready to buy yourself to add some new color to the tank.

[@mooredmb32]

Really looking forward to all the topics covered in this series! thanks for putting in the effort!

[@matsteel2292]

Excellent presentation, as usual, thank you.

[@maddawgzzzz]

I LOVE BRS!!!! Best deals, honest opinions, and great products!

[@seanhaney8748]

Love it! Your explanations in each of these videos makes everything so clear and simplified. It's interesting and educational for people like me who are researching before getting into a reef tank.

[@cryptobulldog2563]

BRS has a awesome beard policy, now that you are married you must comply. Also how many takes did you do on some of these names. I see you grinning a few times which leads me to guess a few. Awesome video, I have been a big proponent on how much these videos help the community. Keep up the great work!

[@StudioReef]

Love this video! Fantastic coverage. Can't wait for the SPS:) Absolutely thumbs up from here Ryan! see you next week

[@asalwaysmusical]

Great video BRS. Love the feature at the top and the explanation of aquacultured/maricultured and wild. Would love to see this thread and pitch for non-wild coral selection continue to strengthen in your remaining videos. You have such an opportunity to lead the way toward positive and productive change in the hobby. Keep up the great work, and helping us all keep growing!

[@sonnyec]

I would go with Euphyllia Hammer corals. Branching are by far the best for filling in a great aqua scape. thanks for the videos, BRS is a import resource to our hobby.

[@MikeLemming]

Great vid guys!!! Can't wait till next week!!

[@cortezhumes8103]

Im sure my favorite video should be next SPS time. If i could only have one lps it'll have to be a torch the color growth and movement cant be beat. Awesome vid.

[@8052MikeyD]

Trachyphyllia are my favorite. But a very close second is Euphyllia. Thanks for the great videos Ryan and company. Keep them coming.

[@kafkamatt]

I've had my Elegance Coral for a year now. Feeding it 3x a week, and it's super happy. It even grew another mouth and definitely increased in size.

[@ianjeanes8835]

Thankyou Ryan so much from your valuable and informative videos . Ian Western Australia 🤙

[@leviburns89]

This is the episode I have been waiting for! Saltwater Empire has some amazing Euphilia. Their Acan selection is amazing too. Going next week to pick up a acan lord. Also, I have an epic alien brain Favia I got from them.

[@mattb2906]

Every video I watch I just think “you guys rock”. Balanced unbiased opinions are a rarity these days.

[@Forgetii]

Great video!! Looking forward to next weeks episode. I'm fairly new and flow, lighting and general care of LPS and SPS are pretty much a mystery. I keep reading and watching information based forums on their care but find a LOT of contradictory information. Your videos seem to deal with averages and general ranges in which each of these corals do well. I'm already planning on some relocation of a few of my LPS to try your suggestions. Thanks again.

[@BuddySheroka]

acan corals by far because of the wide variety of colors they come in and even place by themselves they are extremely stunning and very pleasing to look at they are by far one of my favorite LPS corals

[@nickfurloni2352]

+Buddy Sheroka - completely agree! Acans are amazing and the fact that they respond so well to feeding makes them more fun to have in the tank on top of being great eye candy!

[@santik1]

so cool and I'm glad I'm learning about the different types

[@JC-bs2ov]

Such a great series.

[@TXViper1979]

Great video as always! Its really nice to live down the street from Austin Aqua farms!!

[@RogueAquariums]

Excellent tour of some of the different types of LPS. Both of my tanks are LPS dominant. . 👍

[@ModForez]

Thank you guys for doing this, I am getting my first reef tank and this is so helpful.

[@ModForez]

+BulkReefSupplyCom would you guys ever be willing to release a price list for the items (I know prices change but that is one thing that not a lot of people talk about, how much things cost and what corners can be cut...IE cheaper lights or powerheads.)

[@Ryan22128]

+Matthew Redmond Same here. I just don't know if I should invest now or wait for my house to be built so I can have everything built in the wall.

[@ModForez]

+BulkReefSupplyCom I was more interested in just the hardware, fish and corals go up and down.

[@MrBhoughton]

I have an elegance coral. I also live in Australia. It was one of my first corals and I've had it for about 6 months. I am running a AI prime Hydra 32. I feed it every week or so and it seems to be doing alright. It's tips will occasionally get puffy and bubbly. From my experience thus far it has to be the coral that seems to be thriving the most :D

[@salted_mangoes]

Elegance coral for sure

[@amin__2014]

fabulous!

[@fishpalace]

there are such a variety to choose from and make tanks look epic!!!!! You can def have an LPS only tank and it would look fantastic.

[@fishpalace]

+BulkReefSupplyCom gotta be tracky's, quite hardy, look great and a range of shapes and sizes although anything red is very expensive in UK!!!

[@TheJonnyyyy]

Frogspawn all day! Love the videos. Maybe go into a little extra detail next week about how to properly light acclimate new corals? Maybe how long one should wait until moving a frag up higher, and how much higher? Thanks guys.

[@GramsterPlays]

9:58 the shrimp in the background nope’d out of that shot

[@hiperfin]

What's funny about the timing of this vlog is that just 20 minutes ago I caught up and spent the last 2 days watching the previous 35 videos

[@Boogerdick69]

I’ve owned nearly every coral mentioned here, acan lords are by far the hardiest for me. Right after them is Duncan’s, I had a nice pink tip elegance for 2 months, I then bought a really big blue tip one… the blue tip died after 4-5 days and pink tip died right after. Out of nowhere…

[@jamesrgriffinjr8282]

Thank you for this working on my first salt water tank this is helpful trying to watch series in order

[@jamesrgriffinjr8282]

+BulkReefSupplyCom Setting up 55 gal I have or switching from fresh to salt water what is your number I'd like to find out about getting my rock's and ask questions about Corals

[@russmaleartist]

You handled the demanding presentation with ease and authority. The amount of knowledge in helping hobbyists get a handle on the care of these corals is outstanding. I think you have grasped the key to a successful business, in that happy customers mean consistent customers, who will pass their good attitude about your business onto others. When the economy is slow, people are generally more careful in spending; however, with the enthusiasm of this hobby, it appears that if given a fair shake . . . abundant enthusiasm becomes contagious. Continued good success and support from loyal customers . . . perhaps your example will convict other get-rich-quick companies to realize that cheating the public and being anything but honest is a sure formula for disaster.

[@Tokyo_Hikari]

Favorite corals are Blastomussa. ;)

[@jackiekearney]

worth watching. learned a lot as a bigginer. ty

[@joseCalderon1976]

I love my hammer, frogspawn, acans and kryptonite candy canes! Great video as always Ryan!

[@joseCalderon1976]

***** Great beautiful and very forgiving! I have messed up a few times with my nano tanks and these corals always bounce back.

[@dustinhinz]

Acans!! such a variety in color and shape

[@NYCityCichlids]

Great info

[@LiMyFi_MotoGuide]

thanks, goot job!

[@LiMyFi_MotoGuide]

As every week.

[@ptester1]

Another great video! You mention the fact that aquacultured corals are grown under artificial lights as a potential benefit, but if you use a different lighting technology in your tank than the grower used that may not mean much.

[@mika1980ABC]

Great video , thanks guys . and i would go for blastomussa

[@FishOfHex]

Great video

[@shanekilmore]

my favorite is elegance!

[@wolfmanjack3451]

Austin farms and Unique Corals..I've had success with the LPS they sent..I live in Grand Junction,Co so there is a good amount of handling to get them here to their new home. so far all the Corals I've ordered have shown up a little stressed but they bounced back quickly with proper acclimation to the tank conditions. P.S. I'm a fan of Reef Chili awsome product.

[@ReefRealEstateInCanada]

Hey Ryan - As per your request in wanting to see how things are going - 300 Gallon Tank is built - just finished today. Pictures on my Reef Central Thread - "ReefRealEstate" is profile name. Pretty pumped, I have been putting picks up as the entire project goes along. Cheers man!

[@TravisMontesano]

Galaxea spp. Will be my next addition with Acans as well.

[@roboderman8792]

I have had a couple Elegance Corals for years and have found you absolutely have to feed them chunks of meaty foods. They are aggressive feeders and I give them pieces of shrimp, squid, or fish that are about the size of their mouths. I give them food once every week or two. If you don't, they start to not extend their polyps as far, lose color, and slowly go down hill(this how to tell if you need to feed them more too). I do this with every coral I have that has a large, noticeably sized mouth like Fungia, Duncans, Candy Canes, Trachys, and Scolys(all LPS for the most part) and they always do much better for me. I am a huge proponent of feeding all corals and have an oversized skimmer to keep nutrients extremely low, if they even register at all. My Elegances have grown from a softball to a women's basketball size and easily one of the most attractive to look at for color and movement.

[@mcismfof]

God I love these vids

[@themidwestfishkeeper8117]

I have a big Galaxia colony that springs around 5 heads a week! Which are tiny then takes months for it to grow. My Galaxia also doesn't hurt any coral near it especially my Hammer I haven't seen it extended its sweepers to the point where it'll tough the other corals!

[@themidwestfishkeeper8117]

Love this episode I think LPS tanks are beautiful! The selection from these retail stores supplying to you are top notch quality corals in the industry!

[@darrynschneider6759]

Duncanopsammia is my no 1 LPS. Gets on well with other corals. Has a great shape and is there is a range of forms. Nice greens. Plenty of movement and is always up to something (why you shut up today!).

[@ericj1500]

acans are probably my favorite by far.

[@dannybski9620]

frogspawn is my favorite coral ^_^ Those websites have some awesome corals that I've never seen anything like at my LFS, I definitely need to remove some xenia to make some space for something new :D

[@matthewwilde7123]

Are anemones going to be a topic one week? Would like to have a 20-30 informational video on them. And hey, a beautiful lush carpet anemone would look good in the 160!

[@Cycnoches2012]

love the vids! do you turn off your protein skimmer when you feed the fine/powder foods and liquid supplements?

[@m.ramsey6396]

id have to pick something with hardy as hell ,easy to frag , good growth rate and size , so probably a branching type and id take a nice hammer myself !!!!!!!!

[@NaturalViolence2]

You should do a video on how these videos are made. From the software used to camera's and filming techniques to scripting.

[@TheGermanator91]

I would go with the duncans for the ease of care with it.

[@karlek110188]

at what intensity,spectrum and schedule does ryan keep the kessils on he's office tank? great video BRS 👍

[@jackiekearney]

i shop at local fish store and live aquaria because of low shipping and cheaper coral, but 1-5 sometimes they will die. Now I will shop at Austin Aqua Farm, I just check and they have great varieties and great price.

[@dm0181]

Great video, series and channel. been in the hobby 2 years and your videos have been a great help. I have a question, I'm struggling to keep some corals, I've got a kessil a350w on a 90x60cm tank, 60cm deep, and a vortech mp40, what kind of setting on these would you recommend for my size of tank. I have softies and lps frags, some do really well and others don't. kinda puts me off buying more until I know everything's set up right.

[@sghera64]

I'm partial to goniopora: stokesi (yellow). I also like the blue and red goniopora

[@affordable_reefing4794]

Hi guys! the best videos ever! thanks for doing this! Would you advise me pls, is there a coral that angelfish is less likely to nip? I`ve got red stipe angel that keeps nipping the Zoanthid polyps. However , i would like to upgrade without getting rid of my angelfish. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated!

[@sheldonjessup]

WHAT? where is week 37? Don't you know us reef addicts are chomping at the bit waiting for the video every Friday!?

[@steveblair6078]

the series keeps getting better. question. so does the par only relate to the white lights? i can control the blues and uv on my LED independent of white. can they just be at a level that I think looks good or is it possible to over do it.

[@galvintjime]

If I could only have one type of "LPS" coral, it would be anything in the Dendrophyllidae family. (Tubastrea, Cladopsammia, Dendrophyllia, etc.) While I would definitely say that they are Large Polyp Stony corals, there care has very few similarities to other LPS corals, which is why if people prefer to keep NPS corals separate, then my favorite would have to be Euphyllia.

[@AcuaTV]

Just purchased my Seneye monitor yesterday from you guys only to test my LED's PAR level. I wish there was a monitor JUST for PAR that didn't cost a bunch and be as reliable as you guys say the Seneye is, specially since I already own an Apex controller and having the extra features on the Seneye seems kind of wasteful, looks like I'm going to have to setup a new tank so I can use it LOL

[@karennation3580]

Austin aqua farms and unique coral specializes in purple and green. I mean everything! I just was on an online live sale and wish I had not of placed the first bid, because they had me at that point. I had to prepay shipping and pay after every purchase, It was sort of like an auction. So fast paced and I know nothing about corals Except a two night crash coarse on beginner corals 2 days prior. I had planned on starting first tank with one fish at a time and leave lights of like you suggested, then I read about this 5.00 coral auction, first day , not one coral could i get! Its like the links were down when you would click but I id get a purple star polyp for 8 bucks and I found out it was a nuisance coral and grows like a weed. Next day, I just got a bunch of green and purple, thinking maybe these were stock photos and would have a choice in color. I havnt called them to see I f I can get out of this I dont want a ten gallon of purple and green! I got crazy when I scored a duncan for 10 bucks. Then also I just got encrusting corals it seems ones that yo u have to separate on their own island. I am making a 10 gallon rectangular. How do I do that with acan and zoa and palys, zoas platygyra ,blasto, turbinaria ,purple star polyp, candy cane,(solid green),.chalise My plans are a bridge of rock like most retabulars do. These type of corals cant just sit on the rock bridge. Do these all have to be put on ground and an island, or the arey encrusting and coat the rock. I want th rock to show after it turns purplish. I do like the chalice and duncan, zoas. I have seen some beautiful lps and sofie tanks, most were cubes and stacked high with rock and had kind of stacked the corals with chalice coming out like montipora, looks. I had a birds nest and , something else tall that was sps! They both were not purple either and really pretty but I was afraid they would bto hard with sps. They will probably die since they will all go into a new tank, that I am going to try to cycle very fast! Sorry so long, just wondering if you think I could make a nice aquarium with these and the bridge idea? I just hope i can get out of this or they substitute some other items. Most all purple and green though! . I even added orange zoa at the end to try to make a neon tank,if I could get some yellow and hot pick maybe, might have to put half in another tabks, and pick up those other colors and have 2 neons! haha

[@AcuaTV]

You should also do a video on how much you've spent on corals :D

[@braurc]

+AcuaTV you never tell!!! lol

[@AcuaTV]

+Ryan Braunberger LMAO! Nice!

[@nibejeebies]

+AcuaTV As I tell anyone who asks... "It was on sale for 50% off so I snagged it cause some one else would have ! "

[@aileenchiong6595]

hi very colorful

[@stupified007]

What was that little radar dish in the coral at 19:11? the fan coming out of the coral

[@adamgolden1802]

+stupified007 Probably a fan worm.

[@elricho72]

Great Video, I have a problem with Bubble Algae (Valonia), exist some product to kill this algae ? Thanks !

[@jono18kings52]

Are the retail shops mentioned actually getting different corals to spawn together to create the crazy colored aquacultured corals?

[@space_guy_04]

I have 2 elegance coral that has been for me in about a year now. I think the problematic ones are those from indonesia. The Philippines variant is fine.

[@EagleAquatics]

my green torch with purple tips

[@u.kmarina4225]

Hi Ryan quick question I'm thinking of a LPS dominated tank in my trigon190 (sumped) what LPS would you recommend first

[@irwinsuguitan7825]

Hey Ryan or BRS, I've had my 5 gallon fluval nano reef tank for about a year now. Well my question is, because I'm upgrading my light on it to the Current USA Orbit Marine LED, do you know know if the LED is good enough with its stock programming for LPS or will I have to change it. I know you mentioned something about kessil in this video and how well it is.

[@npviking]

So you mentioned to not double the amount of fish/ amount of feeding in a month to control ammonia levels, but is there a max speed or frequency to adding corals to a tank?

[@manueltroncoso6669]

When is an app coming for the store? That’d be amazing!

[@BRStv]

That was recently discussed in one of our livestreams. It's been on the backburner for a while now, but within the next few years, I'd expect we'll have one. Not only the Reefing Calculator, but also able to shop, track orders, view BRS content, etc.

[@PSCThrillSeeker]

Thanks, I will! trouble is that locals carry the more common sps, LPs, I'm looking for unique corals no pun intended Thanks, Phil BRS Fan

[@philipmartin1891]

Dendros!!

[@helwrj28]

I know you mentioned Kessil lights for LPS, are you talking specifically about the 360 model? Or are 160 adequate as well?

[@BRStv]

The A160 is a great light for coral growth, just a smaller light in terms of output vs the larger A360WE bigger brother. The A160 is great for those Nano tanks up to 24" long for LPS corals.

[@miwhitetailhunt]

Out of the LPS it would probably have to be Frogspawn (Euphyllia divisa)

[@docro33]

Hello, I am new to the saltwater tank hobby. I have a ten gallon tank with some hammerhead coral, hairy mushroom and one zoa, all frags. Is it ok to plant the zoa frag on the live sand? At the moment I have it on the live rock, but I have noticed that i/'m now missing a zoa head :(, not sure what happened. I think my snail or my crabs knocked it over on its side, but i'm not 100% sure.

[@frankpohl8746]

Blasts are my choice

[@geoffreyzxart0012]

@BulkReefSupplyCom Why dont you guys do a in-depth video on Clams!!

[@raeesusman2026]

Should corals close up at night when the aquarium lights are off?

[@russellgarcia6920]

I have a toxic waste Lepto, a Mindbender Chalice, and a firefly Pavona with at have lost their colors. I have a Fluval Evo 13.5 and the corals are resting on the sand bed. What can I do to get their colors back? My ph has also dropped to below 7.8 according to the Red Sea marine care kit, any thoughts?

[@russellgarcia6920]

BulkReefSupplyCom thanks I have the standard evo lighting which is rated at 14k led and I've ordered reef roids to start feeding the Corals. Btw I love your videos and watch them all of the time

[@wmkbmk9895]

so maybe a dumb question but why do you have them all on the flore of the tank. is that where you set them to get used to the tank then u will move to tge rocks or will u be leaving them on the sand like that.

[@wmkbmk9895]

+BulkReefSupplyCom ok I was wondering because I'm 7 weeks in to my first tank and I'm starting to think on what corals I want and where to put even how to put them in the tank\on the rock. and saw last week and this week you had them on the sand. I love watching this every week since it's right with my schedule of my tank It's awesome.

[@elicecorp80]

Would you like to simply classify the high power LED and Low power LED. I am using AI Vega Color LED, is it low or high power? Thank you.

[@brandondouglas8358]

Can any coral be placed in the sand bed, or just the ones you listed in the video ?

[@sinatra617]

I have a biocube and have no way to change the intensity. Should I get a different light or just use less light if needed?

[@BRStv]

If you're concerned about your light providing too much intensity, our first suggestion would be to check with a par meter. You may find out that you don't need a light change at all and save a bunch of cash. If you do need more or less light and you can't adjust the intensity of your current lighting, then a lighting upgrade may be necessary.

[@christopherfong2448]

+BulkReefSupplyCom Any update on the two elegance corals? I'm curious with your results.

[@christopherfong2448]

+BulkReefSupplyCom Thanks for the reply. It's unfortunate these corals succumb due to unknown reasons. Maybe a BRSTV Investigates is in order? :P

[@kikoyouth]

Hi BRS team, how often do you recommend target feeding Acans? I have been finding a small colony once a week with Mysis but the colony “looks” has been on/off so I am wondering if I should feed more often. Thanks in advance for any advice

[@kikoyouth]

Thanks for your answer. Ryan did mention he "hand feeds" the Acans in this video thus why I asked. Will try more broadcasting to see if I I keep them happier longer.

[@ameenalyousef2336]

Any of the wwc corals will be fine if I'm going to add only one LPS coral in my tank

[@bbybby91]

How hard is it to frag hammer and frogspawn corals? I have a few Euphyllia, including a multi-color hammer, I’d like to eventually frag these specific corals.

[@BRStv]

Here's a recent video Jen did on fragging LPS corals that might help. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/raOvaJp-oq2prdE

[@bbybby91]

@@BRStv thanks! Helps a lot 😊

[@jessicahuffman743]

hammer corals

[@danieldonnelly7828]

would the ai prime be a small or low cost led, or a high power led.

[@BlueGoblin1]

Honestly I would like a list of terms both scientific and hobbyist slang.

[@Chub4Chevy]

Has Austin Aqua Farms closed? Didn't find them online.