Any Tips for Acropora?

[blondenaso1]

I bought my first piece of Acropora today. It is a 3" frag, brown with a little hint of green at the terminal polyps. I was wondering if anyone had any tricks to keeping these healthy and growing fast. I have the lighting and current covered. My Ca levels are awsome and I add strontium and other supplements on a regular basis. As far as food I feed the tank Roti Rich. Will that work for the Acro too or do I need to supplement with phytoplankton? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[blondenaso1]

anyone?? no one keeps acropora??

 

[byrself]

i think calcium and lighting are the most important for these. my roomate has one, but doesn't maintain calcium too well. isn't growing much yet, with 440w vhos.

 

[richard rendos]

Your signature says that you have 140 watts of light over a 55 gallon tank. I would not keep acros under that. Acroporas tend to have higher lighting requirements than that. Just my opinion.
I have a tank full of acros and other SPS. I never had luck with them until I upgraded my lights to MH. Right now I am running 2X250W MH, and 4X110W VHO over a 4 foot 120. I am seeing excellent growth rates.

 

[blondenaso1]

Oh, the acropora is not for the 55. I have a 20gal too with a 175 MH and 2 20watt actinics. The 55 is my girlfriend's tank that I take care of and the 20 is mine That's enough light, right?

 

[richard rendos]

Sorry...I really should read the whole thing. Yeah, I would say you are good on lighting then. Keep water quality high and check on calcium, alk., pH, salinity, and temp. Good water flow is important for acros too.