Acropora reef compatibility check
Acropora spp.
Acropora (Acropora spp.) is an expert-level SPS coral that needs at least 40 gallons. It is listed as reef safe; expert coral; avoid in unstable new tanks. Plan high light and high flow (placement: upper reef with strong turbulent flow).
The SPS benchmark: beautiful, demanding, and unforgiving of unstable systems.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ Tanks of 40+ gallons at the animal's adult size.
- ✓ Reef tanks with corals and invertebrates.
Not a fit for
- ✕ Tanks under 40 gallons, even while it is small.
- ✕ Keepers without experience and a long-stable system.
- ✕ New tanks; wait until the system is about 6+ months old.
- ✕ Tanks with soft-coral-level lighting.
Compatibility warnings
- Expert coral; avoid in unstable new tanks.
- Needs high light, high flow, and stable parameters.
- Plan high PAR, strong varied flow, and stable alkalinity.
- Treat this as late-stage livestock for most beginners.
- Do not buy Acropora to test whether the system is ready.
Professional planning context
- Use the 40 gallon minimum as an adult-planning floor; display length, aquascape, and existing tankmates can raise that floor.
- Hold this entry until the system has at least 6 months of maturity or equivalent stability evidence.
- Placement should be validated against measured PAR, turbulent flow, allelopathy/stinging distance, and future colony growth.
Tank fit and maturity gate
ReefCrafter uses 40 gallons as the planning floor for adult size, swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin.
This animal should wait until the tank has enough age, food web stability, or parameter history.
Care notes
- Temperament
- Territorial
- Reef safety
- Safe
- Adult size
- Varies
- Placement
- upper reef with strong turbulent flow
- Diet
- Photosynthetic; depends heavily on stable alkalinity, calcium, and nutrients.
- Flow
- High
- Light
- High
- Bioload
- 0.3
- Stocking stage
- Late
Related species
- Birdsnest coral
30+ gallons, intermediate care.
- Montipora
30+ gallons, intermediate care.
- Montipora digitata
30+ gallons, intermediate care.
- Pocillopora coral
30+ gallons, intermediate care.
Equipment that fits
- Orphek Atlantik iCon Compact
Lists about 250 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
- Kessil A360X Controllable LED Tuna Blue
Lists about 280 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
- Kessil A360X Controllable LED with WiFi Dongle
Lists about 280 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
Related reading
Questions
What size tank does acropora need?
ReefCrafter plans for at least 40 gallons, plus growth space and the stability a larger water volume gives.
Is acropora reef safe?
It is listed as reef safe in ReefCrafter's catalog. Watch for: Expert coral; avoid in unstable new tanks; Needs high light, high flow, and stable parameters.
Is acropora good for beginners?
It is rated expert care, so most beginners should add it later, after parameters have been stable for 6+ months.
How much light and flow does acropora need?
ReefCrafter lists a high light need and high flow (placement: upper reef with strong turbulent flow). In planner terms that starts around 250 PAR.