Any tips on smoother skin Acro ?

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

Hey Everyone,

The reason I said “smoother” skin in the title is I’m not quite sure if these guys are. I purchased some frags from Black Label Corals the other day and added these two to the order because I don’t really have anything like them in my tank. I have a quite a few other species of Acro currently but I believe the closest thing I have to smooth skin currently is Red Dragon. Any tips ?

Pod_01 · Jul 31, 2023

Ober_Reef said:
I have to smooth skin currently is Red Dragon. Any tips ?

That is such a great question. I think these corals are as painful to keep long term as some birds nest, they grow fast and nice and suddenly they are dead.

My observation they are sensitive to PO4, sinking PO4 or low PO4.

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

Pod_01 said:
That is such a great question. I think these corals are as painful to keep long term as some birds nest, they grow fast and nice and suddenly they are dead.

My observation they are sensitive to PO4, sinking PO4 or low PO4.

Hey, thanks for your response ! In your opinion do they like less par than other acropora ? I only ask because I purchased a green dragon Acro a while back from a different company and it bleached out on my instantly.

nothing_fancy · Jul 31, 2023

Yes, I have also found these to be difficult at first. Particularly the ORA tort of which I had one frag years ago that RTN'd on day one. However, presently I have been able to keep them long term, my favorite is the "honeycomb" variety. I agree that they seem sensitive to PO4 as that was one of my main issues with the first try with the ora tort, however I keep my po4 fairly low at around .05. The thing that I've observed most is that they are high demand for light. 300 par minimum IMO. I had a different type of acro frag stn next to that particular honeycomb due to what I believe was too much par although the honeycomb took off growing in the same grow out rack. So IMO, high light, moderate and stable PO4 and stable parameters all around and you'll be fine. The other thing to consider is when purchasing a small frag of something like this they are extremely fragile

*edit your red dragon wouldn't be similar to what Im suggesting above, I have a red dragon as well and they like lower lighting in my experience.

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

nothing_fancy said:
Yes, I have also found these to be difficult at first. Particularly the ORA tort of which I had one frag years ago that RTN'd on day one. However, presently I have been able to keep them long term, my favorite is the "honeycomb" variety. I agree that they seem sensitive to PO4 as that was one of my main issues with the first try with the ora tort, however I keep my po4 fairly low at around .05. The thing that I've observed most is that they are high demand for light. 300 par minimum IMO. I had a different type of acro frag stn next to that particular honeycomb due to what I believe was too much par although the honeycomb took off growing in the same grow out rack. So IMO, high light, moderate and stable PO4 and stable parameters all around and you'll be fine. The other thing to consider is when purchasing a small frag of something like this they are extremely fragile

Awesome thanks for all this info, yeah that green dragon was tiny and would have broke from the smallest bump or drop. Anacropora I have received as frags also seem very fragile.

Pod_01 · Jul 31, 2023

Ober_Reef said:
Hey, thanks for your response ! In your opinion do they like less par than other acropora ? I only ask because I purchased a green dragon Acro a while back from a different company and it bleached out on my instantly.

Good question and I am not sure. I just got one of these recently and it is just barely hanging on.
My PO4 was same for 6+ months and suddenly it dropped and right away I seen the smoothskin coral show it’s displeasure, hopefully it makes it.
But if it doesn’t make that will be the last one. Some of these corals are just too finicky.
I also suspect if they survive the initial shock of new tank, lights they are ok, but you need to get over the first few months.

kenjung · Jul 31, 2023

From my experience smooth skin like lower ALK between 8 to 9, higher ALK seems to keep them issue.

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

kenjung said:
From my experience smooth skin like lower ALK between 8 to 9, higher ALK seems to keep them issue.

Thanks!

Troylee · Jul 31, 2023

@Perry could help ya with this! Best of luck getting your corals also! There’s been a lot of talk about people not getting their orders from these guys.. hopefully that’s not the case here..

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

Troylee said:
@Perry could help ya with this! Best of luck getting your corals also! There’s been a lot of talk about people not getting their orders from these guys.. hopefully that’s not the case here..

Perry’s content is one of the reasons I wanted to check out smooth skin varieties of Acro lol.

Perry · Jul 31, 2023

Best tip on that one and other fine branching corals is regular turkey basting of branches. I do this with turaki, and ecinata too. These branches will pick up the finest particles, on branches, sometimes this can be toxic, and bother the coral tips, basting ensures the coral is free of that. I find any of the dragons to be nuisance at mature point, they will grow super fast. A. Cardus
If you deal with dinos, all these corals are harmed before others.

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

Perry said:
Best tip on that one and other fine branching corals is regular turkey basting of branches. I do this with turaki, and ecinata too. These branches will pick up the finest particles, on branches, sometimes this can be toxic, and bother the coral tips, basting ensures the coral is free of that. I find any of the dragons to be nuisance at mature point, they will grow super fast. A. Cardus
If you deal with dinos, all these corals are harmed before others.

Thanks Perry! Any idea what these two are based off the pics ?

Perry · Jul 31, 2023

1st one gives me Granulosa vibes, but more tightly packed, bit some do that.
In fact, similar to Peng's Blue Monster with some pink/orange hues.
2nd one not sure, the branches are not quite uniform, but similar vibes to JD, but more oddball, reminds me of BC Helltroll, but still hard to tell.

Perry · Jul 31, 2023

@386reeftrader
What you think brother?

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

Perry said:
1st one gives me Granulosa vibes, but more tightly packed, bit some do that.
In fact, similar to Peng's Blue Monster with some pink/orange hues.
2nd one not sure, the branches are not quite uniform, but similar vibes to JD, but more oddball, reminds me of BC Helltroll, but still hard to tell.

Thanks again for your input!

Perry · Jul 31, 2023

Ober_Reef said:
Thanks again for your input!

My pleasure, maybe 386Reeftrader has more input, I lean on his taxonomy skills, lol
Beautiful corals btw

SpSDrew · Jul 31, 2023

I would avoid that place honestly. I wanna say it was the same guy that came from TGC who scammed people on another business name as well.

Black label corals is the worst

Do yourselves all a favor and don’t buy from black label corals!!!! Worst experience with a vendor. Placed an order 3 weeks ago and still haven’t received it .

www.reef2reef.com

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

I found a bigger colony shot of the Polychromatic, maybe this will help.

Ober_Reef · Jul 31, 2023

SpSDrew said:
I would avoid that place honestly. I wanna say it was the same guy that came from TGC who scammed people on another business name as well.

Black label corals is the worst

Do yourselves all a favor and don’t buy from black label corals!!!! Worst experience with a vendor. Placed an order 3 weeks ago and still haven’t received it .

www.reef2reef.com

Hmm similar situation for me, was board had fun with an auction….I sent them the negative page and asked them what was up.