Soft and LPS coral care overview

Soft corals and LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals are popular choices for reef beginners because they’re colorful, a bit more forgiving than many SPS corals, and can thrive in well-maintained home aquariums. “Soft and LPS coral care” simply means understanding their basic needs—water quality, lighting, flow, and feeding—so they stay healthy, open fully, and grow over time. Good care not only keeps your corals alive, it helps them truly thrive and makes your reef tank more stable and beautiful.

Key Points

  • Main idea / purpose:
    Soft corals (like leathers, mushrooms, zoas) lack a hard skeleton and generally adapt well to small swings in water conditions. LPS corals (like hammers, torches, frogspawn, brains) have a hard skeleton and large fleshy polyps, and they need a bit more stability and targeted care. The goal is to give each group the right environment:

    • Soft corals: moderate light and flow, stable but not ultra-pristine water, occasional nutrients.
    • LPS corals: stable parameters, moderate light, gentle–moderate flow, and sometimes direct feeding.
  • Tip 1: Start with stable water, not fancy gear
    Use a reliable test kit and aim for:

    • Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)
    • Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
    • pH: 8.0–8.4
    • Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH
    • Nitrate: ~5–15 ppm (not zero)
    • Phosphate: ~0.03–0.1 ppm

    Do regular water changes and make adjustments slowly. Corals hate sudden swings more than slightly “imperfect” numbers.

  • Tip 2: Match light and flow to the coral
    Many beginners overdo both.

    • Soft corals: often prefer lower to moderate light and a gentle, swaying flow. Place them lower or off to the sides under strong LEDs.
    • LPS corals: usually like moderate light and indirect, pulsing flow so their tentacles move gently, not whipped around. Start them low and move up slowly over weeks if needed.

    Watch your corals: tight, withdrawn tissue can mean too much light or flow; stretching or “reaching” can mean too little.

  • Tip 3: Feed LPS sparingly and keep nutrients balanced
    Many soft corals do fine with just light and fish food in the water. LPS corals often benefit from occasional target feeding (e.g., small meaty foods or reef-specific powders) once or twice a week. Turn off pumps briefly, gently feed polyps, and avoid overfeeding, which can pollute the tank.
  • Common mistake to avoid:
    Buying too fast and too advanced. Many new hobbyists grab difficult or expensive pieces (like torches and meat corals) before mastering basics. Start with hardy soft corals and easy LPS (like hammer or frogspawn), add slowly, and quarantine when possible. This reduces pests, losses, and frustration.

Quick Summary

The heart of soft and LPS coral care is stability and moderation: keep your water parameters steady, provide moderate light and gentle, varied flow, and feed LPS lightly without overloading the tank. Add corals slowly, watch how they respond, and adjust one thing at a time. If your corals look open, gently moving, and keep their color, you’re on the right track.