Table Acropora Care Guide | Light, Flow, and Placement Tips for Plating Corals | ブリちょく
Coral| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Table Acropora Care Guide | Light, Flow, and Placement Tips for Plating Corals
A guide to caring for Acropora species that grow in a table or plate shape spreading horizontally. Learn practical tips on light intensity, water flow, placement strategies, spacing with other corals, and trimming techniques for mature colonies.
Key Takeaways
A guide to caring for Acropora species that grow in a table or plate shape spreading horizontally. Learn practical tips on light intensity, water flow, placement strategies, spacing with other corals, and trimming techniques for mature colonies.
About Table Acropora
Within the Acropora genus, there is a group that grows very differently from the typical branching species. Rather than growing upright with branches, these corals spread horizontally in a flat, table-like form. Representative species include Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora cytherea, which are impressive inhabitants of natural coral reefs.
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The table growth form is an adaptation for efficiently capturing light. By spreading horizontally, they maximize the surface area exposed to light from above. For this reason, high light intensity and appropriate water flow are especially critical for Table Acropora success.
Light Requirements
Table Acropora belongs to the upper tier of high-light-demanding SPS corals.
PAR Value Guidelines
Position
PAR Target
Mid-water to upper tank
250–500 µmol/m²/s
Optimal position
300–400 µmol/m²/s
PAR values below 150 result in extremely slow growth and a tendency toward brown coloration.
Lighting Options
Full-spectrum LEDs (AI Hydra, Kessil, Radion, etc.) are ideal for uniform overhead illumination of table-form corals
T5 fluorescents: A classic choice with excellent uniformity and still very effective for table corals
Lamp positioning: Standard placement is 15–25 cm above the water surface. When using multiple fixtures, arrange them to avoid shadows
Light Acclimation
When introducing a new Table Acropora, gradually increase light intensity over 2–4 weeks. Placing it directly in a high-PAR environment causes bleaching.
First week: Temporary placement in mid-tank to lower zone
Week 2 onward: Move up 10–15 cm each week
Once settled in final position, monitor for one week; if no problems, acclimation is complete
Water Flow Importance
The flat plate structure of Table Acropora makes water flow easily stagnate, allowing detritus (organic debris) to accumulate on the upper surface. Poor water flow is a primary trigger for tissue necrosis (RTN/STN).
Recommended Flow Patterns
Random/chaotic flow: Non-linear, directionally variable flow is ideal
Wave pumps (Vortech MP10, Gyre, etc.) in random mode work best
Flow intensity guideline: Observe the table surface—polyps should sway gently. If polyps fully retract, flow is too strong
Detritus Management
Organic matter accumulates easily on the table surface. Blow detritus off with targeted flow 1–2 times weekly, or introduce a small number of sea urchins (such as Echinometra) to help with detritus removal.
Placement Planning and Spacing
Table Acropora grows very large horizontally. Even small fragments can expand 2–3 times in diameter within a year.
Placement Rules
Distance to adjacent corals: Maintain minimum 10–15 cm clearance
Space under the table: Provides shelter for gobies and crabs, increasing biodiverse habitat value
Wall proximity: Avoid pressing table edges against walls, as growth becomes inhibited; leave adequate clearance
Aggression toward other Acropora: Table species are relatively peaceful, but keep them distant from LPS corals with sweeper tentacles (e.g., Catalaphyllia)
Height Positioning
Place in the upper tank zone to maximize light, but as tables grow larger, shading issues affect lower inhabitants. When large growth is expected, either position shade-tolerant species (such as Goniopora) below, or perform regular trimming.
Trimming and Growth Management
When the table becomes large enough to block water flow or shade other corals, perform fragging (cutting).
Fragging Steps
Use a wire cutter or band saw to cut 2–3 cm square fragments from the table edge
Immediately attach cut portions to frag plugs using cyanoacrylate adhesive
Place in a high-flow, high-light recovery zone for 2–4 weeks
Once polyps begin opening, move to normal placement
Table Acropora fragments will regrow into new flat-form colonies and can be cultivated as independent specimens.
Water Parameters
Recommended parameters for Table Acropora and SPS corals in general.
Parameter
Target
KH (Alkalinity)
8–9 dKH
Ca (Calcium)
420–450 mg/L
Mg (Magnesium)
1280–1350 mg/L
NO₃ (Nitrate)
1–5 ppm
PO₄ (Phosphate)
0.03–0.08 ppm
Temperature
24–26°C
Rapid KH swings (>1 dKH per day) are especially dangerous. Maintain stability with 2-part or 3-part additives, or use a calcium reactor.
Common Problems and Solutions
Polyps Not Opening
Check if light or flow intensity is incorrect, or if stress from water parameter changes is the cause. If no improvement within a few days, reassess placement position and test water parameters.
Brown or White Coloration at Edges
Low light: Raise placement position
Insufficient flow: Check for detritus accumulation and increase flow strength
Possible RTN (Rapid Tissue Necrosis) onset: If progression is rapid, cut away affected tissue and isolate the remainder in a separate tank
Growth Has Stopped
Nutrient levels may be too high (NO₃ exceeding 20 ppm) or too low, causing starvation. Feeding specialized coral food 2 times per week can also help.
Conclusion
Table Acropora represents the pinnacle of SPS reef keeping. The beautiful flat plate form—like capturing a slice of natural coral reef—brings stunning visual impact to any reef tank. By ensuring three key factors—high light intensity, stable water chemistry, and adequate space—you can maintain a stunning, thriving Table Acropora colony for years to come.
