The Difference Between Keeping Acropora and Other SPS Coral

[Reefer Matt]

Hey Reefers! I’d like to start a conversation about what the difference between keeping Acropora and SPS coral is. Although Acropora are considered SPS (Small Polyp Stony) coral, tank parameters for keeping other SPS coral are not necessarily the same for Acropora, imo.

The common consensus for all SPS is low “nutrients”, high flow, and high par lighting. But there is no one set that will guarantee success. In my experience, other SPS coral like montipora, leptoseris, pavona, and birdsnest can all do well with “higher” nutrients (20 ppm nitrate), “lower” par (100-150) lighting and minor alkalinity swings (1-1.5 dkh). Acropora seem to be less tolerant of lower lighting and alkalinity instability while they can still thrive in higher nutrients.

So my question to you SPS fanatics out there is, Have you noticed a difference in care requirements between Acropora and other SPS coral?

 

[Jasonak]

Acro can be picky, I have a tri color valida that is about as tuff as montis but everything else I have now is way more sensitive. I think you can grow montis in fresh water. Ive had a patch covered with a silicone mat since mid august and it still has color to it, its like the old appliances just lives on for ever.
I read something recently about lower Nitrates and higher phos grows coral best but Ive no idea how you would attain that

 

[Battlecorals]

I've barely kept LPS in fact the only one I have is an old babies breath favia I got as a frag about 15 years ago.

still have it and it is about the size of a small turtle, lol. I've had chalices and I've had zoos and stuff and I think the biggest difference is flow. I mean SPS prefer a heck of a lot more of it then say a torch or frogspawn or whatever. and I think this is probably cause me problems with LPS in the past

 

[JoJosReef]

My acros have been limited to a slimer, a garf bonsai and 3-4 freebies someone gave me that didn't turn out well.

They all seemed fine, but the freebies couldn't keep up with thr Stylo and birdsnest which continually encorached on their space and caused them to die--one I removed quickly when I noted it had coral boring spionids.

The garf is my favorite but got overrun by Montipira digitata, birdsnest, Anacropora and even the Stylo reaching into its space. Learned my lesson about coral placement.

Maybe mine are just the easiest Acros, but they seem to like my mixed reef with gulf live rock and AFR dosed all day/night.

Flow is a major problem. The SPS grow thick and create a wall that blocks my gyre water movement to the detriment of the corals in the middle and other side. Next tank will be aiming for more random flow.

Yeah, that was a bad spot for the Garf

Now trying to clear space for the little bit remaining to grow back.

 

[Reefer Matt]

It seems like the suggested parameters for keeping all sps are lumped into what the hardest acros require. That is simply not true imo, and I hope more hobbyists try sps coral when their tanks mature in 8 months or so. Though sps don’t have the long flowy polyps, they do have very vivid colors and unique growth patterns.

 

[JoJosReef]

It seems like the suggested parameters for keeping all sps are lumped into what the hardest acros require. That is simply not true imo, and I hope more hobbyists try sps coral when their tanks mature in 8 months or so. Though sps don’t have the long flowy polyps, they do have very vivid colors and unique growth patterns.

I'm not super impressed by the colors, even that Battlecorals one that gets hand delivered to your door, but I find something very impressive about a large fillled out acro colony. Especially the tabling acros. Reminds me of snorkeling. Yes, colors are very nice, but objectively, plates are brighter, zoas more colorful, and nems more sparkly. But a big acro colony is pretty spectacular. I also like Anacropora growth patterns and the spikier birdsnests (despite how frustrating they are with their tiny breakable branches).

 

[Reefer Matt]

I'm not super impressed by the colors, even that Battlecorals one that gets hand delivered to your door, but I find something very impressive about a large fillled out acro colony. Especially the tabling acros. Reminds me of snorkeling. Yes, colors are very nice, but objectively, plates are brighter, zoas more colorful, and nems more sparkly. But a big acro colony is pretty spectacular. I also like Anacropora growth patterns and the spikier birdsnests (despite how frustrating they are with their tiny breakable branches).

We all have our tastes and I agree with large acros being impressive. I wish Adam would hand deliver them to my door! Lol! That’d be awesome!
There are a few things that can change the colors of sps dramatically. Three that come to mind are sufficient NO3 and PO4, proper water flow, and sufficient lighting. My sps display tank has higher than the recommended nitrate, but I think it helps keep the colors bright, as I don’t dose trace elements.

 

[JoJosReef]

We all have our tastes and I agree with large acros being impressive. I wish Adam would hand deliver them to my door! Lol! That’d be awesome!
There are a few things that can change the colors of sps dramatically. Three that come to mind are sufficient NO3 and PO4, proper water flow, and sufficient lighting. My sps display tank has higher than the recommended nitrate, but I think it helps keep the colors bright, as I don’t dose trace elements.

Beautiful tank! And very fuzzy sticks!