Beginner LPS – Coral Care Guide

“Beginner LPS” refers to hardy, beginner‑friendly large polyp stony corals such as Duncan, Hammer, Frogspawn, Trumpet/Candy Cane, and many Blastomussa types. These corals have a hard skeleton with large, fleshy polyps that extend during the day, giving them a soft, flowing look. Colors range from greens and purples to bright oranges and neon tips, making them popular centerpieces in reef tanks.

Reef keepers like beginner LPS because they are more forgiving than SPS, generally less aggressive than many soft corals or high‑end LPS, and offer lots of movement and color without extremely demanding care. They also provide visible feeding responses, which many hobbyists find rewarding.

Lighting Requirements

Most beginner LPS corals do best under moderate lighting. They host symbiotic zooxanthellae, so they can get much of their energy from light but don’t typically enjoy intense SPS-level lighting.

  • Target PAR: ~50–150 PAR for most common beginner LPS.
  • Placement:
    • Bottom to mid-level of the tank is usually ideal.
    • Start lower and shaded if moving from low light to more intense LEDs or T5s, then slowly move up over several weeks if needed.

Signs of too much light: tissue receding from the skeleton, “bleaching” (faded or pale color), polyps staying tight and retracted during the day.

Signs of too little light: dull coloration, slow or halted growth, polyps stretching excessively toward the light.

Water Flow

Beginner LPS generally prefer low to moderate, indirect flow. They like their polyps to sway gently, not be blasted.

  • Preferred flow:
    • Low–moderate random or oscillating flow.
    • Avoid direct, laminar jets from powerheads pointing straight at the coral.

Too much flow: polyps stay tightly closed, tissue appears pushed to one side, skeleton exposed, or tissue tears on sharp edges of the skeleton.

Too little flow: detritus and film accumulating on the coral, sluggish polyp extension, and a higher risk of tissue irritation or infection.

Water Parameters

While beginner LPS are relatively forgiving, they still need stable, reef-quality water. Aim for consistency over perfection.

  • Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)
    • Try to keep daily swings <1°F (0.5°C).
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity:
    • 1.024–1.026 SG (32–35 ppt).
    • Use a calibrated refractometer for accuracy.
  • pH & Alkalinity:
    • pH: 8.0–8.4 (stable within this range).
    • Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH (some keep 7–11, but avoid rapid swings).
  • Calcium: 400–450 ppm
    • Necessary for building skeleton; beginner LPS won’t consume as much as dense SPS, but levels must remain in range.
  • Magnesium: 1250–1400 ppm
    • Helps stabilize alkalinity and calcium; keeps them from precipitating out of solution.
  • Nutrients:
    • Nitrate (NO3): ~5–20 ppm
    • Phosphate (PO4): ~0.03–0.10 ppm

Beginner LPS usually look better with non-zero nutrients. Extremely “ultra-low nutrient” systems can cause pale colors and poor growth.

Feeding & Nutrition

Most beginner LPS are photosynthetic but benefit from occasional target feeding, which can increase growth, polyp size, and coloration.

  • Target feeding:
    • Feed 1–2 times per week for most tanks.
    • Common foods:
      • Small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, or brine shrimp (enriched).
      • LPS pellets or reef-specific frozen blends.
      • Fine powdered coral foods for species with smaller mouths (e.g., some Blastomussa).
    • Use a turkey baster or pipette to gently blow food toward open polyps with pumps on low or briefly off.

Signs of good feeding response: tentacles or mouths close around food, tissue slightly contracts as it pulls food in.

Avoid heavy, daily feeding if your tank struggles with high nutrients or algae. Adjust feeding based on nutrient test results and tank cleanliness.

Placement & Compatibility

Thoughtful placement helps beginner LPS thrive and reduces conflict with neighbors.

  • Placement in aquascape:
    • Place on stable rock shelves or the sand bed, depending on species and your flow/lighting.
    • Ensure the coral’s base is secure so it won’t topple and damage itself or others.
    • Leave enough space for polyp expansion—many LPS expand 2–3x their skeleton during the day.
  • Compatibility with other corals:
    • Beginner LPS tend to be moderately aggressive. Many have sweeper tentacles that can sting nearby corals, especially at night.
    • Provide at least:
      • 5–10 cm (2–4 in) spacing from other LPS or soft corals.
      • More space (10+ cm) from very sensitive SPS or known aggressive species.
    • Watch for signs of stinging: tissue recession on one side of a coral, burn marks, or visible long tentacles at night reaching neighbors.
  • Compatibility with fish & inverts:
    • Most reef‑safe fish are fine; avoid angel fish and some butterflies known to nip fleshy polyps.
    • Shrimp, crabs, and snails are generally safe but may steal food during feeding; you can gently shoo them away or cover the coral briefly with a feeding dome.

By keeping lighting moderate, flow gentle, parameters stable, and giving them space and occasional food, beginner LPS corals can grow into full, colorful colonies that add motion and life to your reef aquarium.