Acropora

Acropora, the focus of my reef keeping interests, are actually quite hardy animals given a few simple, but expensive, conditions. In the wild, they are one of the most adaptable species we keep in our aquariums. They are found exposed for several hours at low tide, down to more than 30 metres deep, where light intensity is a fraction of that at the surface.

So why are they considered difficult to keep? As far as I am concerned, the big issues are light, high water flow rates and high calcium and alkalinity levels. Obviously the standard aquarium conditions apply, such as appropriate salinity (35-37ppt), realistic water temperates (say 26-28C), very low phosphate and reasonable nitrate levels.

Beyond that, they are simple, fast growing, beautiful creatures that reward your efforts every day.