Acans don't get plump why?

markak · Oct 17, 2015

No, an occasional crab or snail once in a while.

ReefFrenzy · Oct 17, 2015

Did someone mention "plump" Acans?

I couldn't resist sharing this video from Cherry Corals.

I think as others have suggested maybe food and lighting are factors which could influence how plump they appear. I have heard from others that direct feeding often increases the rate at which new heads appear.

FishAddict87 · Oct 17, 2015

Wow I'm so lucky I dont live around their store...well atleast my bank account is lucky that I don't live around there haha

markak · Oct 17, 2015

OMG acan heaven. I think I would be putting a second mortgage on my house.

markak · Oct 18, 2015

ok I changed out my T5 bulbs today. A little more blue than I'm use to. Lets see how my acans respond to the lights over time.

Broadfield · Oct 18, 2015

I had the same issues in my old tank... it was because I had too much light. In my new tank they instantly plumped up. But then noticed that they weren't always opened up. I caught 3 of my 4 Emerald/Ruby crabs taking small chunks out of my Acans... those crabs now live in the sump. My Acans are back to being happy all of the time.

that Reef Guy · Oct 27, 2015

markak said:
ok I changed out my T5 bulbs today. A little more blue than I'm use to. Lets see how my acans respond to the lights over time.

Acans really prefer Blue Lighting.

I use All Blue Plus T5's (No White Whatsoever).

So does Cherry Corals.

Try that and see if they do better.

NanaReefer · Oct 27, 2015

Don't know how anyone can look and enjoy an all blue tank. I run LED's. Whites at 10% blues at 55%. All my Acans are fat an happy.

that Reef Guy · Oct 27, 2015

NanaReefer said:
Don't know how anyone can look and enjoy an all blue tank. I run LED's. Whites at 10% blues at 55%. All my Acans are fat an happy.

I don't know why anybody likes White Lights as it Makes the Corals look Ugly.

Just my Opinion.

Everybody has their Opinion and is entitled to it.

I want my Corals to Look as Colorful and Vibrant as Possible (That Does not Happen with White Lights).

N1Husker · Oct 27, 2015

It's your lights. I had mine under T5's and then switched to LED's, they went from plump and red under T5s to a orange color and flattened right out. I kept the LED's and added a 2 bulb T5 set. They plumped right back up again. I tried every thing else and now they plumped right up.

03864reefer · Oct 28, 2015

All led lights here. royal blues, 10k whites and blues.. 14 hr cycle blues dominate, whites on 8 hours. Very bright lighting, even under just blues.. ACANS are huge and puffy.. 1.027 almost non existent phos. I SPOT feed guppies, fresh from guppy tank.. weekly.. Heres a video, jump to 3:20 to see guppy sacrifice..

BigJohnny · Oct 28, 2015

You have to feed acans once a week minimum, you can overfeed and kill them so I only feed once a week. They do not have sufficient zooxanthellae to flourish without supplemental target feeding of meaty foods like PE Mysis or even pellets.

Fattytuna · Oct 28, 2015

i would try force feeding lps pellets soaked in amino acids. i usually soak for an hour or more

BigJohnny · Oct 28, 2015

Fattytuna said:
i would try force feeding lps pellets soaked in amino acids. i usually soak for an hour or more

I don't know if "force feeding" is the best term to use there haha. You want the coral to accept the food via target feeding, not jam it in there. I doubt that was your intention but to someone new to the hobby they may misunderstand and kill there coral.

Merck · Oct 28, 2015

Tanked_Life said:
+1 on the sand beds, keep them there and spot feed them lips pellets. Its ok if you don't feed every head because the whole specimen benefits but that is how you will get them fluffy, colorful, and show worthy

THIS HAS WORKED FOR ME TO, MINE GROW CRAZY ON THE SAND BED.

Wh00pS32 · Oct 28, 2015

N1Husker said:
It's your lights. I had mine under T5's and then switched to LED's, they went from plump and red under T5s to a orange color and flattened right out. I kept the LED's and added a 2 bulb T5 set. They plumped right back up again. I tried every thing else and now they plumped right up.

I'd totally disagree with that many people run led only (me included) and have no problems with acans.
My opinion is that they need feeding and a dirtier tank, i feed mine every 2nd day and run quite a dirty tank (skimmerless)

due to feeding sun coral and dendro's. Mine also seem to prefer low to moderate flow.

03864reefer · Oct 28, 2015

BigJohnny said:
I don't know if "force feeding" is the best term to use there haha. You want the coral to accept the food via target feeding, not jam it in there. I doubt that was your intention but to someone new to the hobby they may misunderstand and kill there coral.

LOL was going to address this "force" feeding.. LOL Im sure it sounds worse than it is.. BUT as a HERP guy as well , force feeding a snake, involves shoving a tube down their throats a couple feet... ACANS would not be so accepting! Seriously though they will grab and take it if they will; eat it!

itwired · Oct 28, 2015

I have been sersously slacking on feeding them lately but they seam to have a mind of there own. Sometimes they grow like crazy and then stop but all ways plump. I can't believe how big the ones heads are there freakin HUGE