Acro as a next step?

[johnnjen]

Hi Everyone,

Well we are looking for the next addition to the reef. ( man this is one addicting hobby )

We are thinking about getting an acro, is that a wise choice? we are still new to this but the tank is doing great. Everything is growing, corraline is spreading.

Are acro's a fair next step or would you say something else? The other thing we are looking are Zoo's.

Thanks for all your imput we wouldnt have the tank we do without all you guys!


JNJ

 

[Anonymous]

JNJ,

What are your parameters? If you're showing anything in the way of NO3/phosphates, then adding acros is a bit of a gamble.

If you're doing ok on that side, then you need to start looking at water movement/lighting requirements. Essentially you are probably going to need metal halides, though some people have some success with T5s/Power compacts. The depth of your tank is going to be a key factor in deciding which option to go for. So tell us the size of your tank as well

You're going to need decent, random dispersed flow in the tank as well. What powerheads do have at the moment?

When you've got water quality, lighting and water flow sorted out, then the question is what sort of Acro? Some are hardier species than others, but your best bet is a cultivated acro rather than a wild colony (much hardier/cheaper). The ideal maybe is a frag from someone you know (fellow hobbiest/retailer) who can advise you as to their most resilient acros.

As for zoanthids, well they're much, much more resilient. They would be happiest with strong water flow and strong lighting, but could cope with lower levels of either than the acros.

In short, tell us some more details of your system and we can give you some more detailed advice. These would be most useful:

Water parameters
Equipment (lighting, protein skimmer, powerheads)
Size of tank
Current stock in tank (fish and coral)

 

[Anonymous]

Quick follow up. If your tank is less than 6 months old (especially if you're a new hobbiest) it's not a good idea to add acros, given they need very stable water conditions.

Once your tank is older, it might be better to start with one of the hardier SPS, such as a monitpora. Then possibly move onto acros once you have a bit more experience.

I learned the hard way when I tried to add an acro after 3 months to my tank. Lasted only a few weeks.

 

[Mihai]

I second burntom's advice. Let us know, size and age of system, pumps, and lights. Indeed some acros are quite hardy, while others are whimps.
A frag from reefer friend is your best bet.

M.

 

[johnnjen]

JNJ,

Water parameters
Equipment (lighting, protein skimmer, powerheads)
Size of tank
Current stock in tank (fish and coral)

Thanks for all of your help..

Here is a little more about our tank

am- 0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
Calcium is about 460

Its a 55 Gallon tank

Stock -
75lbs of live rock(22lbs will be goin in to finish it up this weekend)
1 bubble coral - bout 6 inches across with the bubbles out
1 bullseye mushroom - I think it spliting( I dont know much about them)
1 colt coral that is growing (the only frag I bought it wsa no more then 1inch long now it is about 3 inches long)
2 button polyp rocks yellow/green and red
1 skunk chromis
2 hermit crabs
2 emerals crabs
about 15 turbo snails
I think 2 nasuris(sp) snails Hitchhikers
a few random feather dusters also hitchkers
1 clam/oyster I dont know what it is it was on the rock that my mushroom came on
There are pods growing, coraline algae that is spreading, no unwanted algea that I can see( I went thru that already)

I have a CPR Backpak2 skimmer for filtration, also an Over the back that I run carbon in.

Two other powerheads for water movement, 1 is a Maxijet 1200 the other is a rio 800.

Lighting is a coralife light I think is 175watt(not exact on the numbers, If I remember correctly it came out to be about 4-5 watts per gallon but not for sure one that one.) with the moonlights.

The Tank is only about 4 months old, it is still new but seems to be very stable.

As far as reefers that I know, I am alone out here, except you guys nearst LFS is petco they are about 40 mins from me and they know not alot of about reefs, to go to a decent store to talk to someone that is somewhat knowledgable is about a 75 min drive. So that is why I am so thankfull for this site.

if you guys know of anyone that sells frags please let me know, we are so eager to learn about this. we love having the reef tank, and really do want to learn all we can.


Thanks again for all your help!!!

JNJ

 

[minibowmatt]

IMO, if you are still adding LR you should wait to add an acro. Most likely you will start a mini cycle by adding that much more LR. After that cycle ends, then wait a few more months for things to stabilize again, and then add some nice sticks...

 

[mirkus]

also not enough water movement either

 

[Mihai]

I agree: wait 1 month at least after you add the LR (2 is better).
The light is not great: 175/55 = 3.5W/gal. It *may* be able for some acros to survive (perhaps even grow slowly) all the way up and under the lights, but they will not thrive. While the water movement is generally not enough, you can make sure they get some movement by moving the powerheads.

Regarding the rio, I'd get rid of it: many got their tank killed (some got zapped).

Take care,
M.