Best "beginner" Acropora

Elle22 · Jun 12, 2017

Hi! I am relatively new to reefing, and my tank has been set up for over six months. So far I have had good success with a variety of corals, and my tank has been stable in terms of parameters for months now.

I am looking to get into acropora now. And by beginner, I mean ones that people have had the most success with and have known success in newer tanks. I know that acros are very sensitive, but by beginner, I also mean that they can handle minor swings as I adjust to caring for them.

I know for acros that I will be getting aquacultured frags that are over an inch long, as they have the best longevity and "wild" acros struggle to adjust to tanks.

Thank you!

Chac317 · Jun 12, 2017

Green slimer is pretty hardy. And most montipora and birdsnests

pugcrush · Jun 12, 2017

^^^ +1; purple milka stylophora is also really nice

BoomCorals · Jun 12, 2017

I've personally found the birdsnest, stylo, cliffs acropora, and many stag/slimer to be very hardy.

tautog83 · Jun 12, 2017

If you want an easy acropora the green slimer probably the easiest along with a tricolor . If ya just want some sps , stylophora , pocillipora or birdsneat good choice

bif24701 · Jun 12, 2017

Elle22 said:
Hi! I am relatively new to reefing, and my tank has been set up for over six months. So far I have had good success with a variety of corals, and my tank has been stable in terms of parameters for months now.

I am looking to get into acropora now. And by beginner, I mean ones that people have had the most success with and have known success in newer tanks. I know that acros are very sensitive, but by beginner, I also mean that they can handle minor swings as I adjust to caring for them.

I know for acros that I will be getting aquacultured frags that are over an inch long, as they have the best longevity and "wild" acros struggle to adjust to tanks.

Thank you!

Captive grown acros from WWC or Battle Corals or another grower that grows their own corals. Captive grown means they have been acclimated to captivity and proven to not only survive but thrive in a aquarium. Stay away from mariecultkred corals, they are wild caught and grown out in pools in or next to the ocean with natural sea water. Any coral you can get from a friend or club member is also a plus, they have the same characteristics because they have grown now in their systems enough to be captive grown.

gacolt · Jun 12, 2017

red planet, stags, bonsai and most milli's are some easy to care for corals.

Pmj · Jun 12, 2017

bif24701 said:
Captive grown acros from WWC or Battle Corals or another grower that grows their own corals. Captive grown means they have been acclimated to captivity and proven to not only survive but thrive in a aquarium. Stay away from mariecultkred corals, they are wild caught and grown out in pools in or next to the ocean with natural sea water. Any coral you can get from a friend or club member is also a plus, they have the same characteristics because they have grown now in their systems enough to be captive grown.

Was going to say the same. I'm still fairly new at SPS but all of my stuff from WWC and BC has all done great with visible growth while other stuff from local places has not. I don't even have low nutrients or a doser, using kalk at the moment and testing alk every day or so.

bif24701 · Jun 13, 2017

Pmj said:
Was going to say the same. I'm still fairly new at SPS but all of my stuff from WWC and BC has all done great with visible growth while other stuff from local places has not. I don't even have low nutrients or a doser, using kalk at the moment and testing alk every day or so.

Kalk is the perfect thing for you! Keep it up, Kalk will keep you stable and pH up. Kalk is underrated and people whom say your system will out grow it are wrong. Though some day it may, I am sure you are still far off from that day. Unless you already have a display that is full of large colonies covering your rocks.

BoomCorals · Jun 13, 2017

bif24701 said:
Kalk is the perfect thing for you! Keep it up, Kalk will keep you stable and pH up. Kalk is underrated and people whom say your system will out grow it are wrong. Though some day it may, I am sure you are still far off from that day. Unless you already have a display that is full of large colonies covering your rocks.

I agree, I have not yet had to do anything but use kalk, and my overall system is 400 gallons.

bif24701 · Jun 13, 2017

BoomCorals said:
I agree, I have not yet had to do anything but use kalk, and my overall system is 400 gallons.

Yup, Kalk is the perfect additive, I may never need anything else.

Elle22 · Jun 13, 2017

Thank you for all of the suggestions. May I ask what kalk is? It has not been recommended to me before, and I have not heard about it previously.

markalot · Jun 14, 2017

Look at the BRS page description: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/instructions/article/Kalkwasser-Instructions

vanpire · Jun 14, 2017

I am going to add that virtually all of the ORA corals are pretty good for beginners. They are readily available, have good colors and grow moderately to fairly quickly.

I will also add that a pink lemonade is a great beginner coral because it is almost indestructible. At least, it was for me. It had survived two tank moves, accidental and multiple alk spikes and a home remodel (where I lost 90% of all my other corals). It just grows very slowly.