Caring for Acans

[rob020880]

Hello,

I want to buy some acans and was wondering what I should know about caring for them.

What do they eat, and do I need to target feed them?

What type of light and flow do they like?

What water parameters are they most sensitive to?

 

[dan10342]

mine seem real sensitive to water temps.

 

[rob020880]

I keep my water at 78 is that ok?

What about the feeding? I currently feed Rod's food and dose Zeovit Coral Vitalizer will that be enough, do I need to target feed Acans?

 

[rob020880]

Bumpski

 

[Lotus99]

I used to feed my acans, but I was having water quality problems. They don't seem to have suffered for not being target fed. It's a shame, because I like watching them eat.

The usual reef parameters are fine for acans.

 

[stunreefer]

I would feed, but not too much. They can eat A LOT, but they dont digest food that fast, so I have had critters (emeralds, peppermint shrimp, fish) rip the acans open to eat the food out...not pretty.

Also, it seems that if they are fed too often they can start to recede. I would feed once a week "ish," and Rod's Food is great for almost all LPS (SPS love the GP too!)

78 is fine for them, I've never noticed them being too temp sensitive.

I've kept them in lots of lighting, overall lower is preffered. I keep mine on bottome, 18" down under a 250w DE MH. Same with flow, they always look better in low to med., but they dont mind higher flow, just not real high (their polyps wont puff).

In general, they are one of the easier corals to keep IMO/IME.

HTH and GL!

 

[rob020880]

How quickly do acans grow? Basically how long before I see another head?

 

[benihana]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12735864#post12735864 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rob020880
How quickly do acans grow? Basically how long before I see another head?

The more you feed them, the faster they grow...I feed mine ~ 1x/week, you are ok with not feeding them as they will get what they need from your lighting, but I also know of people who feed daily. It is really up to you.

As long as you have a good skimmer, feed away!!

 

[kev apsley]

I agree, the more you feed them the more they will grow but as stated above don't over feed them and corrupt your water parameters. I have a few LPS in my system with only 150watt 20k Radium and have found that they seem to color up their best in low light, not shaded but low on the bottom

 

[rob020880]

Do I need to target feed or will they be fine with my 2x day rods food fish feedings? How quickly do they grow?

 

[GRocks]

i target feed sinking shrimp pellets.. they seem to love it, but unfortunately my cleaner shrimp has to go in and steal them on occasion, though i would be careful if i were it.. ive seen my acans eat decent sized bristleworms too.

 

[benihana]

target feed them

 

[rob020880]

So basically grow faster if I target feed but from what I gather it is not necesary. Target feeding about once a week is good ok.

What do they like to eat most? Will they get any food from my daily feedings of rods food? My tank is 30" deep so target feeding might be a little harder for me.

 

[benihana]

I feed mine PE Mysis, and they seel to do well with it.

Most folks with deep tanks use something like this, although I don't think the end is wide enough for mysis (unless you puree it in the blender).

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4430+13943&pcatid=13943

Either that, or get your arm wet!

 

[yellowslayer13]

having over 15 acan colonies i have this to say
they benifit greatly on feeding
i have one colony that grows 5-6 polyps a month and one that does that in a year
they are eratic