Why is my RR Pink Floyd losing its neon body and pink polyp color?

Color shifts often trace to low PAR, imbalanced nutrients, or spectrum gaps. Aim for 300–400 PAR with strong, turbulent flow. Keep NO3 around 5–15 ppm and PO4 0.03–0.08 ppm—zeroed nutrients mute fluorescence. Provide robust violet/blue (380–470 nm). Avoid rapid alk swings; 7.5–8.5 dKH works well. Reduce shadowing from nearby colonies and maintain consistent trace inputs (especially potassium and iodine).

It keeps encrusting but won’t branch—normal for this coral?

Yes. This Acropora often plates and thickens its base before pushing vertical shoots. Encourage branching by gradually increasing PAR, adding randomized flow, and giving it open space. Trim nearby fast-growers to reduce shade. Ensure nutrients aren’t bottomed out; ultra-lean systems can stall axial growth. Stability over weeks, not days, triggers new tips.

How can I spot and manage pests specific to tenuis like this one?

Watch for AEFW crescent bite marks on shaded undersides and tissue thinning; red bugs reduce polyp extension and vibrancy. Inspect after lights out with a flashlight. Use targeted dips for frags, turkey-baste to expose flatworms, and consider a Halichoeres wrasse as a helper. For entrenched AEFW, plan a dip schedule and fallow period for affected frags on racks.

My tips burned after raising alkalinity—what went wrong?

In low-nutrient tanks, pushing alk above ~8.5 dKH can cause tip burn in tenuis. Align alk with nutrient levels: modest alk (7.5–8.3) for lean systems, slightly higher only if nitrate/phosphate are also higher and stable. Make changes slowly, <0.3 dKH per day. Reduce intense white channels temporarily while tissue recovers and ensure steady flow over damaged areas.

RR Pink Floyd Acropora Coral

Acropora

Overview

RR Pink Floyd Acropora Coral features vivid pink to yellow-green branch tips with contrasting polyps. Acropora tenuis is a branching small-polyp stony coral that prefers strong light and moderate to high, variable water flow. It relies on symbiotic algae for most nutrition but can take very small planktonic foods; occasional feeding can improve growth and maintain color. Place high on stable rockwork with ample space from stinging corals, and maintain steady alkalinity and nutrient levels.

Quick Facts

Care Difficult

Lighting High

Flow High, turbulent

Placement High

Temperament Semi-aggressive (3–4 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 420–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–9 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, microplankton, rotifers, copepod nauplii, powdered coral foods (e.g., Reef-Roids), oyster eggs, amino acids

Care & Placement

RR Pink Floyd Acropora Coral (Acropora tenuis) thrives in stable, clean, high-energy reef systems. Provide high light (PAR 250–350) with slow light acclimation using a screen or reduced intensity for 1–2 weeks to prevent bleaching. Maintain strong, random flow that keeps polyps moving without a direct jet; aim to prevent detritus from settling around the base. Target parameters: temperature 75–78°F (24–26°C), pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.025–1.026 (35 ppt), alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH (stable day to day), calcium 420–460 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Feed sparingly 1–3 times weekly with fine particulate foods or amino acids; this can improve coloration and growth when nutrients are low. Place high on rockwork with strong flow, leaving 3–4 inches from neighbors; it lacks long sweepers but is sensitive to stings from LPS and can shade or overgrow other SPS. Drip acclimate 30–45 minutes and dip to remove pests; quarantine if possible to avoid AEFW or red bugs. Monitor with reliable test kits, log results, and avoid rapid parameter changes. Common issues include bleaching from sudden light increases or ultra-low nutrients, and tissue recession from alkalinity swings or pests. If tips burn or base recedes, check alk stability, flow patterns, and pest presence, and correct gradually.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the RR Pink Floyd Acropora Coral

Why is my RR Pink Floyd losing its neon body and pink polyp color?

Color shifts often trace to low PAR, imbalanced nutrients, or spectrum gaps. Aim for 300–400 PAR with strong, turbulent flow. Keep NO3 around 5–15 ppm and PO4 0.03–0.08 ppm—zeroed nutrients mute fluorescence. Provide robust violet/blue (380–470 nm). Avoid rapid alk swings; 7.5–8.5 dKH works well. Reduce shadowing from nearby colonies and maintain consistent trace inputs (especially potassium and iodine).
It keeps encrusting but won’t branch—normal for this coral?

Yes. This Acropora often plates and thickens its base before pushing vertical shoots. Encourage branching by gradually increasing PAR, adding randomized flow, and giving it open space. Trim nearby fast-growers to reduce shade. Ensure nutrients aren’t bottomed out; ultra-lean systems can stall axial growth. Stability over weeks, not days, triggers new tips.
How can I spot and manage pests specific to tenuis like this one?

Watch for AEFW crescent bite marks on shaded undersides and tissue thinning; red bugs reduce polyp extension and vibrancy. Inspect after lights out with a flashlight. Use targeted dips for frags, turkey-baste to expose flatworms, and consider a Halichoeres wrasse as a helper. For entrenched AEFW, plan a dip schedule and fallow period for affected frags on racks.
My tips burned after raising alkalinity—what went wrong?

In low-nutrient tanks, pushing alk above ~8.5 dKH can cause tip burn in tenuis. Align alk with nutrient levels: modest alk (7.5–8.3) for lean systems, slightly higher only if nitrate/phosphate are also higher and stable. Make changes slowly, <0.3 dKH per day. Reduce intense white channels temporarily while tissue recovers and ensure steady flow over damaged areas.

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