My first colored stick is an Acropora! So...what now?

[EnderTurtle]

I got my first sps coral! I've been in the hobby 6 months now and have a slough of other corals.

I have a 40 breeder with two kessil 350Ws 8 inches above the tank. Intensitys are at 50% blue and 0% white.

I know acros love lots of light. They were sitting probably 2 feet under some big looking metal halides. I heard you need to acclimate these corals to new lights especially different types. Since I have LEDs I put them on the sand bed to start.

It's a neat purple acropora with green poylps. My first real sps. I have some plating montiporas but they're not nearly as hard as acroporas from what i hear.

Questions
1) What kind is it? I googled and my best guess is Garf Bonsai Acropora.
2) How much time will it take to properly acclimate the coral to higher lit areas of the rockwork?
3) Can this coral survive under mostly blue light?


Parameters: 0 Phosphate, 0 Nitrates, pH 8.3, Calcium 450ppm, Alk 8-9,Magnesium 1200-1300

 

[epicurus84]

In the back i see some other sps as well i believe.

Just keep it on the bottom for a week then start moving it up slowly.

 

[ajcanale]

Probably an acropora secale... maybe valida. Unless it was sold as GARF Bonsai you really shouldnt call it that, as it's an aquacultured name brand, so to speak, and your's might not be. That said, it is very similar and might be one in the same.

In regards to lighting and acclimating. It will need some white light to put it in the 10k-20k spectrum which it needs to survive and grow. 50/20 - 50/30 (blue/white) should do it. Also, in regards to light acclimation IME it's much better to put the frag where it is suited best and instead adjust lighting over time, rather than moving the frag around.

 

[zoomonster]

Agree probably some sort of Secale or Valida. I have a GARF Bonsai and its just that, a bonsai. Same color but very compact heavily encrusting growth even as a frag.

 

[Frick]

Probably an acropora secale... maybe valida. Unless it was sold as GARF Bonsai you really shouldnt call it that, as it's an aquacultured name brand, so to speak, and your's might not be. That said, it is very similar and might be one in the same.

In regards to lighting and acclimating. It will need some white light to put it in the 10k-20k spectrum which it needs to survive and grow. 50/20 - 50/30 (blue/white) should do it. Also, in regards to light acclimation IME it's much better to put the frag where it is suited best and instead adjust lighting over time, rather than moving the frag around.

+100 Great answer. :reading::dance::beer: My faith in SPS keepers is restored. LOL I have to add a reference tho.
http://coral.aims.gov.au/factsheet.jsp?speciesCode=0062