All in on sticks???

RBarth · Jan 23, 2026

So I'm in debate about going to an all acro tank. Been in and out of the hobby for over 20 years. The last 5 years I've maintained an all Euphyllia tank. Pretty much have had every torch/hammer you can have and was pretty dang successful with it. Tank more or less ran itself.

Over the last 6 months I started slowly getting rid of most all of it and fortunately had it down to a minimum when I had a tank crash. Down to just a few torches, goni, zoa rock.

So I'm at the crossroads. Want to do something different. Never dove into sticks because everyone says they are difficult. Are they REALLY that difficult? What's hard about cranking your lights and flow? Mastering flow on a torch tank will drive you crazy

.

Talk me outta it if you've been there or tell me why I should dive in. Thanks!!!

exnisstech · Jan 23, 2026

I've failed miserably keeping euphylia but am having moderate success with sticks. I say go for it.

All from little frags.

RBarth · Jan 23, 2026

Yeah I'd say your having a little success! Love it. How long did that take? I do think that's another thing that I'm concerned about...quick results. Euphyllia can grow like weeds and i know Acros don't do that.

Gumbies R Us · Jan 23, 2026

@SPS Freak

X-37B · Jan 23, 2026

My old 18" aio nano cube.
Start to 10 months for some inspiration.

RBarth · Jan 23, 2026

RBarth · Jan 23, 2026

Also want to add I think Graham's Aquaculture sale thread is responsible for this.

exnisstech · Jan 23, 2026

RBarth said:
Yeah I'd say your having a little success! Love it. How long did that take? I do think that's another thing that I'm concerned about...quick results. Euphyllia can grow like weeds and i know Acros don't do that.

I'm coming up 3 years now. My pH ran low 7.6 - 7.9 daily for over 2 years and things did well but really took off after I added a skimmer with an outside airline that bumped pH to 8.0-8.3 daily swing. I bumped the pH last August and by October growth had increased to the point I had doubled the amount of AFR needed to maintain my alk at my target of 8.5. dkH. It's my first try at sticks so I'm happy. Like you I just wanted to try something new.

X-37B · Jan 23, 2026

RBarth said:
Wow!0

My current 150, 150lbs live,
Start and today at 21 months.

RBarth · Jan 23, 2026

Just love the different colors sps can provide.

Jasonak · Jan 23, 2026

RBarth said:
Yeah I'd say your having a little success! Love it. How long did that take? I do think that's another thing that I'm concerned about...quick results. Euphyllia can grow like weeds and i know Acros don't do that.

In my experience its the opposite LPS grow so slow compared to my SPS.

Matt L · Jan 23, 2026

Sounds like a plan.

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Jasonak · Jan 23, 2026

You can have both. I have hundred heads of hammer through out my tank and also duncans. But majority of the tank is SPS.

xiaoxiy · Jan 23, 2026

Jasonak said:
In my experience its the opposite LPS grow so slow compared to my SPS.

Agreed! Acros grow incredibly quick once they've settled in.

Jasonak · Jan 23, 2026

X-37B said:
My old 18" aio nano cube.
Start to 10 months for some inspiration.

I dig the metallic looking spider in the background.

billyocean · Jan 23, 2026

All depends on the type of acro as far as difficulty and growth speed. If you lean towards stags....slimers....stylo...or things like that...you can have a packed tank in a year or so. Some slower growing tennys, smoothies,..etc are going to grow slower and require a longer commitment.