Cb Maleficent Acropora

Cb Maleficent Acropora: Care Guide for a Showpiece SPS Coral

The Cb Maleficent Acropora has become a must-have for SPS lovers who want bold color and dramatic branching structure. With its deep, moody tones and electric highlights, this Acropora can quickly turn a reef into a true centerpiece—if you provide the right conditions.

Lighting and Flow Requirements

Like most high-end Acropora, Cb Maleficent Acropora thrives in bright, stable conditions with plenty of random flow. Getting these two factors right is the foundation of long-term success.

Ideal Lighting

Aim for strong PAR and consistent photoperiods:

  • PAR range: 250–350 PAR is a solid target zone
  • Lighting type: High-quality LEDs, T5/LED hybrid, or metal halide
  • Placement: Upper to mid-level rockwork, depending on your PAR map
  • Acclimation: Start in slightly lower light and move up over 2–3 weeks

Flow Patterns

Strong, random flow helps keep tissue clean and promotes thick, healthy branches:

  • Flow intensity: Medium to high, avoiding direct, constant blasting
  • Pattern: Use alternating or random modes on wavemakers
  • Goal: Polyps should sway and extend, not retract or tear

Water Parameters and Stability

Cb Maleficent Acropora will quickly reveal any instability in your reef system. Keeping parameters stable is more important than chasing perfect numbers.

  • Temperature: 77–79°F (25–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
  • Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH (avoid swings > 0.3 dKH per day)
  • Calcium: 420–450 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
  • Nitrate: 5–15 ppm
  • Phosphate: 0.03–0.08 ppm

Tip: Set up automated dosing for alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium once your Acropora collection starts to grow. Manual dosing often leads to subtle swings that SPS corals dislike.

Coloration, Growth, and Placement Tips

The signature look of Cb Maleficent Acropora comes from a balance of strong light, clean water, and adequate nutrients. Too lean and it may pale; too rich and it can brown out.

Maintaining Vibrant Color

  • Use a stable nutrient export method (refugium, skimmer, or both)
  • Feed the tank lightly but regularly with quality coral or reef foods
  • Avoid rapid changes in lighting intensity or spectrum
  • Test alkalinity several times per week in SPS-dominant systems

Placement in a Mixed Reef

When planning your aquascape, give this coral room to grow upward and outward:

  • Place away from aggressive LPS with long sweeper tentacles
  • Ensure good spacing from other Acropora to avoid shading
  • Mount on stable rock in an area with both light and flow access

If you’re building an SPS-dominant system or upgrading your collection, explore more about SPS coral care and our detailed Acropora lighting guide to fine-tune your setup. For overall system health, our reef tank parameter basics article is a helpful companion resource.

With patience, stable parameters, and thoughtful placement, Cb Maleficent Acropora can become one of the most striking corals in your reef—rewarding you with rich coloration and intricate branching that only improves over time.