Saw a red dragon at lfs

[Ike]

Red Dragons are considered deep water corals so more light shouldn't really help

They're not deep water corals, the same goes for most other "deep water" corals labeled as such in the hobby... It has become a common coral, and can be had for 20-40 for nice size frags.

 

[Blitzie]

They're not deep water corals, the same goes for most other "deep water" corals labeled as such in the hobby... It has become a common coral, and can be had for 20-40 for nice size frags.

https://reefbuilders.com/2012/11/28/red-dragon-acropora-carduus/

 

[Ike]

https://reefbuilders.com/2012/11/28/red-dragon-acropora-carduus/

My point was that "deep water" acros often occur in very shallow water. I used to have this coral littering my frag tank and in various levels of light. The frags/colonies that were in the brightest light tended to grow the fastest, some in shadier spots grew very slow and tended to take on a darker color. All that said, mid level under a decent fixture should be plenty.