Why does my Explosive Ember Acropora (Acropora tenuis) lose its ember hues under strong lighting?

Color washout often comes from high PAR with imbalanced nutrients. Keep PAR ~300–400 but maintain nitrate 2–10 ppm and phosphate 0.02–0.08 ppm to avoid pastel bleaching. Emphasize violet/royal-blue (400–470 nm) and dial back cool whites/green. Stable alkalinity (7.5–8.5 dKH) and adequate potassium (380–420 ppm) support blues; slight iron/iodine availability helps greens/reds. Acclimate lighting slowly.

My tenuis shows great growth but poor daytime polyp extension—what’s the hidden culprit?

In A. tenuis, muted daytime PE often signals pests or chemical stress rather than just flow. Inspect for AEFW bite marks near axial tips and check for red bugs; perform a turkey baster blast to reveal flatworms. Run fresh carbon if soft corals are nearby. Add more cross-flow for random turbulence, not a direct jet, and confirm stable temp and alkalinity.

How can I prevent “burnt tips” on this coral when pushing growth?

Burnt tips arise from high alkalinity combined with intense light and ultra-low nutrients. Keep dKH steady (target 8 ±0.3), avoid sudden dosing spikes, and ensure measurable nitrate/phosphate. If tips pale or necrose, slightly lower PAR or raise nutrients instead of cutting light drastically. Amino dosing can help, but reduce if film algae or cyano increases.

What mounting strategy gives Explosive Ember its fullest, bushy form?

Mount frags horizontally or at a slight angle on a wide plug/rock ledge to encourage fast encrustment before vertical branching. Tenuis thickens its base first; once a strong plate forms, branches multiply. Provide side lighting to reduce self-shadowing and use alternating gyres for chaotic flow that reaches between branches. Avoid direct, laminar blasts at axial tips.

TSA Explosive Ember Acropora Coral

Acropora SPS

Overview

Explosive Ember Acropora Coral shows bright orange to red branch tips with compact, bushy branches. Acropora tenuis is a small-polyp stony branching coral that thrives under strong light and high, turbulent water flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae, but occasional small-particle foods can support growth and may improve coloration. Place high on stable rockwork with room for outward growth, and keep distance from aggressive stinging corals.

Quick Facts

Care Difficult

Lighting High

Flow High, turbulent

Placement High

Temperament Peaceful (2–3 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 (primary), microplankton, phytoplankton, zooplankton, rotifers, copepod nauplii, coral foods powder, amino acids

Care & Placement

Explosive Ember Acropora Coral (Acropora tenuis) thrives with strong, stable conditions and high light. Target 250–350 PAR under quality LEDs or T5/metal halide; acclimate to light over 1–2 weeks using screen layers or by starting lower and moving up. Provide strong, random flow to keep polyps gently swaying and prevent detritus from settling; avoid a constant, direct jet that can strip tissue. Place frags in the upper third on secure rock with room to branch; allow 2–3 inches from other SPS and more from LPS with long sweepers. Maintain temperature 75–78°F (24–26°C), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 420–460 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.02–0.08 ppm. Test weekly (more often when new), use an auto top-off, and dose two-part or kalkwasser to hold levels steady. Run carbon and good skimming to reduce chemical warfare from soft corals.Primarily photosynthetic, but it benefits from occasional small-particle foods (reef roids, rotifers) or amino acids 1–2x weekly with export in check. Dip and inspect new frags for pests (AEFW, red bugs), mount with epoxy for stability, and quarantine when possible. Watch for bleaching (too much light or too little nutrients), browning (excess nutrients or low light), base recession (low flow, pests, or instability), and “burnt tips” (high alkalinity with low nutrients). Correct by adjusting PAR, improving flow, restoring nutrient balance, and stabilizing parameters. Keep hands off when possible; stability beats quick fixes.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Explosive Ember Acropora Coral

Why does my Explosive Ember Acropora (Acropora tenuis) lose its ember hues under strong lighting?

Color washout often comes from high PAR with imbalanced nutrients. Keep PAR ~300–400 but maintain nitrate 2–10 ppm and phosphate 0.02–0.08 ppm to avoid pastel bleaching. Emphasize violet/royal-blue (400–470 nm) and dial back cool whites/green. Stable alkalinity (7.5–8.5 dKH) and adequate potassium (380–420 ppm) support blues; slight iron/iodine availability helps greens/reds. Acclimate lighting slowly.
My tenuis shows great growth but poor daytime polyp extension—what’s the hidden culprit?

In A. tenuis, muted daytime PE often signals pests or chemical stress rather than just flow. Inspect for AEFW bite marks near axial tips and check for red bugs; perform a turkey baster blast to reveal flatworms. Run fresh carbon if soft corals are nearby. Add more cross-flow for random turbulence, not a direct jet, and confirm stable temp and alkalinity.
How can I prevent “burnt tips” on this coral when pushing growth?

Burnt tips arise from high alkalinity combined with intense light and ultra-low nutrients. Keep dKH steady (target 8 ±0.3), avoid sudden dosing spikes, and ensure measurable nitrate/phosphate. If tips pale or necrose, slightly lower PAR or raise nutrients instead of cutting light drastically. Amino dosing can help, but reduce if film algae or cyano increases.
What mounting strategy gives Explosive Ember its fullest, bushy form?

Mount frags horizontally or at a slight angle on a wide plug/rock ledge to encourage fast encrustment before vertical branching. Tenuis thickens its base first; once a strong plate forms, branches multiply. Provide side lighting to reduce self-shadowing and use alternating gyres for chaotic flow that reaches between branches. Avoid direct, laminar blasts at axial tips.

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TSA Explosive Ember Acropora Coral

Overview

Quick Facts

Recommended Parameters

Care & Placement

Acropora