Are acros hard to raise?

[FrostyKevin]

I'm planning on putting some acros in my tank, and I just want to know if they are difficult to raise.

 

[abcislands]

Yes and no.

If you maintain stable water quality (pH, Alk, Ca, Mg) and have the proper lighting to ensure they get the intensity and spectrum (halides, T5s, and/or LEDs) they need for growth then they can be pretty easy.

If you aren't doing the above then you're going to run into trouble with acros.

 

[KLR]

Stability.

I could NOT keep any acros when my tank had paramater swings,but now that it has been stable acroporas thrive and grow relativly fast. Yes a nice skimmer and other high end equipment will help make your job easier but stability is the number one thing to remember when keeping acros ime.

Once you get the hang of keeping your paramaters stable,they are pretty easy to take care of.

I usually get a $10-$20 acro frag as a test before I add a bunch of them to a newer tank. This way if it dies or bleaches you don't get discouraged..

What lighting do you run on the tank you want to put acroporas in?

 

[skinz78]

Yes and no.

If you maintain stable water quality (pH, Alk, Ca, Mg) and have the proper lighting to ensure they get the intensity and spectrum (halides, T5s, and/or LEDs) they need for growth then they can be pretty easy.

If you aren't doing the above then you're going to run into trouble with acros.

Agreed! And welcome to R2R!

 

[FrostyKevin]

^ Thanks!

I have a par 38 over about a 2 gallon tank. It nearly roasted my acan to death, so I think I got lighting covered. :P

It's the chemistry I have to worry about.

 

[subielover]

It's the chemistry I have to worry about.

This is the harder part of sps. In a 2 gallon tank, it will be difficult to keep acropora, IMO.

 

[gar732]

It's funny everyone always thinks sps is so hard to keep, I just went through major problems with my tank and lost about 90% of my lps and most of my nicer polyps and I can count on one hand how many sps I lost. Like everyone mentioned stability it the key to growth and color but I think sps is hardier than we give them credit for. I'd say start with something like a green slimer, that thing is just about bullet proof but be sure to light acclimate anything you get with those LEDs.

 

[swannyson7]

This is the harder part of sps. In a 2 gallon tank, it will be difficult to keep acropora, IMO.

+1. Maintaining stable parameters will be really difficult in a tank that size. It's rare to see SPS filled nanos that size thrive without constant water changes.

 

[SteezySPS]

its not hard at all. just a big commitment.

 

[CONSTANTNE]

Salinity swings would be a problem in a tank that small unless you use an ATO. The only was I can see a 2 gallon working for acros is if its plumbed to a 30-50 gallon sump lol.

 

[-Logzor]

Throw a green slimer in there, I bet it will do fantastic. Those are very tough acros.

 

[FrostyKevin]

Salinity swings would be a problem in a tank that small unless you use an ATO. The only was I can see a 2 gallon working for acros is if its plumbed to a 30-50 gallon sump lol.

What's an ATO?

 

[Captain Nemo]

automatic top off

 

[-Logzor]

What's an ATO?

ATO is an abbreviation for Auto Top-Off unit. This will automatically add water to keep your salinity from changing.

 

[chad vossen]

acros can be hard to care for for some people, and really easy for others. I have no problem with a few SPS, but I just had a green slimer up and die for no reason while the SPS around it show great growth and coloration...