Acro Keeping

[Keith Russell]

I am going to try some SPS Corals. And am hoping someone can answer a question. With my PARs almost perfect. I think my Calcium might be a tad low at 375, how long does it take for Acros to become beautiful like in the pictures at Aqua SD. I’m sure it probably varies but wondering what you all think? Thanks for any replies. Peace

 

[Fishingandreefing]

“Perfect par”? Cal level seems a bit low. How long the tanks being running and what’s your alk level?

not to be harsh, how about you try to keep them alive first then pursuit the fancy color?

I am by no mean expert but most would agree with me.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It takes PAR, stability, meaning no chasing numbers and placement in the tank.
Calcium not far off. Gradually build to 400.
good lighting and good water flow with nutrients will place you in right direction . Adequate nutrients and lighting will best determine their color and growth rate

 

[SifuMemphis]

What are your current parameters? What is considered perfect par? Do you know the par values of each spot? How much flow do you have?

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I would add that if your tank has been running for at least 6 months. Google the recommended parameters, then slowly raise the level. Once it’s at a stable parameters, get some easy sps like monties or stylo and slowly raise your par level up. You have to explain your “perfect pars” because there’s no such thing buddy.

 

[Waters]

Unfortunately it is impossible to answer.......every Acro is different, every system is different. Can take a couple of weeks......can take a couple of years lol.

 

[ycnibrc]

for me water chemistry is the most important thing in reef keeping. A balance water with both parameters and biology stable will give your tank the best environment. Light and flow will help to get better growth and furthermore coloration.
Back in the 90 we had beautiful reef with less technology in light and flow compare to now. And back then the color of Sps is not as crazy as now why is that?
Nowadays we are so much advance in water chemistry with so many additives , amino , food etc...

 

[Fishingandreefing]

for me water chemistry is the most important thing in reef keeping. A balance water with both parameters and biology stable will give your tank the best environment. Light and flow will help to get better growth and furthermore coloration.
Back in the 90 we had beautiful reef with less technology in light and flow compare to now. And back then the color of Sps is not as crazy as now why is that?
Nowadays we are so much advance in water chemistry with so many additives , amino , food etc...

Maybe now more advance lightings such as leds bring out the nicer color of the sps.

 

[ycnibrc]

Maybe now more advance lightings such as leds bring out the nicer color of the sps.

Definitely i had tenius before and they don't look like now

 

[jda]

To get them to look like AquaSD, you take photos and edit them in Lightroom or Photoshop.

Like others have said, real numbers, real types of equipment are important to know... not to chase, but to stay in the ballpark.

Actual PAR would be good and the type of light, readings for alk, calcium and salinity are must.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

To get them to look like AquaSD, you take photos and edit them in Lightroom or Photoshop.

Like others have said, real numbers, real types of equipment are important to know... not to chase, but to stay in the ballpark.

Actual PAR would be good and the type of light, readings for alk, calcium and salinity are must.

Agreed on the “look like aquasd”. They use a professional cameraman to take their website pics. I’m sure they are shot under all actinics and edited. Zero of the corals I have purchased from them look like their pics when I pull them out of the bag.

 

[vsolovyev]

I’ve gotten a couple corals from them, but mine took around a month to color up nicely. Assuming your ALK and Calcium is good, you also have to play around with their placement because all acros are different on their liking to light intensity and flow

 

[Keith Russell]

Awesome thanks my water chemistry is as follows. Ammonia 0 nitrites 0 nitrates 0 phosphate trace ph 8.2 salinity 1.023 cal 375 hardness 8. Tank has been running 16 months. My monti has been growing steadily and my stylo is also showing steady growth. I added a green slimmer and it’s doing great.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Awesome thanks my water chemistry is as follows. Ammonia 0 nitrites 0 nitrates 0 phosphate trace ph 8.2 salinity 1.023 cal 375 hardness 8. Tank has been running 16 months. My monti has been growing steadily and my stylo is also showing steady growth. I added a green slimmer and it’s doing great.

Sounds like your tank is doing good but personally I would raise the salinity to 1.025 for corals. By doing that I think your cal will raise as well. Also, your nitrate should be a bit more than a zero. What are you dosing?

 

[Drendo]

Agreed on the “look like aquasd”. They use a professional cameraman to take their website pics. I’m sure they are shot under all actinics and edited. Zero of the corals I have purchased from them look like their pics when I pull them out of the bag.

This is my experience as well.

I’m not specifically calling out Aqua SD because I don’t know their editing process, but often these kinds of operations will say that they don’t edit their photos. While this may be accurate, they often use long exposure photography, which has the same effect. There is a certain Rainbow Chalice seller on EBay who has mastered this parlor trick.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Agreed on the “look like aquasd”. They use a professional cameraman to take their website pics. I’m sure they are shot under all actinics and edited. Zero of the corals I have purchased from them look like their pics when I pull them out of the bag.

I have ordered from them for a long time and the corals actually are represented really well especially compared to other vendors. After a few weeks of acclimation in my tank they look spot on. The wilds might change but the healed frags they sell aren’t really much of a stretch.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

The tenuis are more colorful now because the collectors are finding better corals and know what people want. I don’t see how equipment changes a single thing. Except for blue and uv LEDs, that’s the single thing that makes any difference in a corals florescence and viewed color. Supplements don’t really do it either, besides maybe copper sulphate but that’s been used for a long time now too.

OP if you stick to the basics and don’t get sidetracked with led lighting tweaks and dosing suppliments that are not needed then you should have a good experience. Start with the basics and be patient and the colors will come when the corals start to grow.