AI Hydra 26 HD and Acans

Dave Gold · Oct 8, 2021

Hi Guys, I have an established RS 350 (72 Gal display) with parameters pretty much in check. I'm well past the ugly stage. However I can't seem to do well with Acans since I have had this tank. They are one of my favorite corals so I would like them to prosper. I also recently had a Favia that I bought slowly degrade over months and more or less croak. I have a few easy SPS (stylos) that seem to do ok. Trachy seems to do well, as do the softies.

In my old tank, about 3 years ago, I had T5s and some LEDs for night lighting in the canopy and the Acans looked great. In my newer tank (the RS 350) I have two AI Hydra 26 HD running the David Saxby profile. The height and spacing is set as BRS recommends in their video. I did try the BRS recommended profile but did not like the way things looked so I went back to Saxby.

The only other comment I can make about my newer tank is that it does run pretty clean, with generally low nitrates and phosphates, although much of the coral is looking fine. When I dose with AB+ some of it really goes wild, and since I get tired of culling things I just assume this does not happen. I did not notice any improvements with the Acans when I was using AB+ regularly.

I'm beginning to wonder if the lighting is the cause of the Acans not doing well. I've heard a couple of rumblings about this up here and from a LFS. I'm wondering what other people are thinking. Maybe a different profile is in order, or is the AI Hydra 26 just not the best lighting for Acans? I might be willing to change to something else...

Thoughts?

blaxsun · Oct 8, 2021

I've never had any real success with acans, either - so don't feel bad. In my defense, it turns out one of my dwarf angels had taken a liking to acans (so I'm apparently not completely at fault). I've used the David Saxby profile and it worked really well for me (and I thought it looked great).

You can usually trace a lot of problems to flow or lighting (too much, too little) also also water parameters to an extent. Do you feed Reef Roids or any other coral supplements besides ReefEnergy AB+? I probably add about a half dozen supplements for my corals every week and it generally seems to help.

mav3rick478 · Oct 8, 2021

Acans like to be spot fed at least twice a week. You can start with Reef Roids paste and once they learn to eat then meaty foods like mysis shrimp, fish or krill.

Also, they do like "dirtier" water, higher up in the nutrient levels like most LPS.

mexi757 · Oct 8, 2021

I have 3 ai 32 hd on a 125. With a rock of 3 Acon frags. All doing great. One is out puffed up all day with 5 eyes or whatever you want to call them. All have been doing great in the past 6pm this. Will post a pic tomorrow. I also don’t spot feed at all. Just what ever floats from the day and after fish feeding.