How to Keep Acroporas | EVERYTHING you Need to Know

Summary

In this episode, the team explores the world of Acropora corals at the Orlando reef store, highlighting their growth stages, care, and the impact of water flow and parameters. They discuss the importance of stable water conditions for coral health and share tips on monitoring parameters for success. Viewers are encouraged to engage with questions and learn more about Acropora, including how small frags grow into thriving colonies. The episode wraps up with a visual showcase of stunning coral tanks, offering valuable insights for both beginners and experts in the reef hobby.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acropora corals are a popular and challenging choice for reef tank enthusiasts, requiring the right flow, lighting, and water parameters to thrive.
• 😀 Consistent water chemistry, including calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium, is crucial for the healthy growth of Acropora corals.
• 😀 Flow plays a critical role in coral health by aiding digestion and waste removal. Proper flow patterns can also stimulate new growth in corals.
• 😀 A key indicator of healthy Acropora is the presence of healthy growth tips, which are usually brightly colored and show signs of branching.
• 😀 When fragging Acropora, corals may take time to encrust and establish a solid foundation before they begin branching out significantly.
• 😀 Stability in water parameters is essential for long-term success. Aim to keep alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium within recommended ranges.
• 😀 Acropora corals grow faster when placed in tanks with high flow, high light, and stable water parameters, but they can also become fragile if these conditions are too extreme.
• 😀 A good practice is to focus on maintaining consistent parameter variance rather than obsessing over exact numbers for optimal coral growth.
• 😀 Regularly testing water parameters and tracking results in a log can help identify trends and improve overall tank management.
• 😀 Large Acropora colonies require more flow and lighting than smaller frags, and will consume more calcium and other elements as they grow.

Q & A

What is the significance of flow in an Acropora tank?

Flow is essential for Acropora corals because it helps with food delivery, waste removal, and regulating their internal pH. Proper flow ensures that the corals can digest food efficiently, clean themselves, and maintain healthy metabolic rates.

What role does pH play in coral health?

pH plays a crucial role in a coral’s ability to digest food, regulate its metabolic rate, and bond important elements like calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium to form its skeleton. A balanced pH helps promote healthy growth and structural development.

Why do some corals take longer to take off, even though they may be easier to maintain?

Certain corals, such as some species of Acropora or mushrooms, can be slow to start growing because they need time to acclimate to their environment. Their initial growth phase can involve encrusting or bonding with the substrate before they start branching, which may take some time.

How can you identify a healthy Acropora coral?

A healthy Acropora coral will have good polyp extension, with the polyps fully extended and visible. The color typically comes in later, but vibrant growth tips, such as bright yellow or green at the leading edge, indicate that the coral is thriving.

What are the three main growth stages of an Acropora coral?

1. Stage 1: The coral frag is placed in the tank. 2. Stage 2: The coral begins to encrust, laying down a foundation on the surface. 3. Stage 3: The coral starts to branch out, forming a colony with new tips and increased complexity.

Why is patience important in growing Acropora corals?

Growing Acropora corals requires patience because their growth can be slow, particularly in the initial stages. It may take time for them to encrust and develop branches, and forcing growth can stress the coral. Gradual growth is a sign of a healthy tank environment.

What water parameters should you focus on for Acropora health?

Key parameters include alkalinity (ALK) between 7-11, calcium between 350-500 ppm, magnesium between 1,250-1,500 ppm, nitrates below 25 ppm, and phosphates below 0.10 ppm. Consistency in maintaining these levels is crucial for coral health.

What does 'chasing the variance' mean in coral care?

'Chasing the variance' means focusing on keeping your tank's water parameters consistent rather than trying to achieve exact numbers. For example, aiming for minimal fluctuation in alkalinity, calcium, or nitrate levels rather than obsessing over perfect values helps maintain coral stability.

How does coral encrusting help with its growth?

When a coral encrusts onto a surface, it lays down a solid foundation, which serves as a defense mechanism. By attaching securely to its substrate, the coral can expand and grow into a larger colony over time. The encrusting process can take time before the coral starts branching.

What should reefers know about using high-tech water monitoring systems like the Trident?

High-tech systems like the Trident provide real-time updates on your tank’s water parameters. They allow hobbyists to track changes more frequently, which helps in maintaining stable conditions for corals. Regular monitoring reduces the risk of parameter fluctuations that could harm corals.