Why Hawkins Echinata Acropora Stands Out

The Hawkins Echinata Acropora is a favorite among SPS lovers thanks to its intense blue coloration and delicate, bottlebrush-style branches. It can be demanding, but with stable parameters and strong lighting, it rewards you with fast growth and vivid color.

Target water parameters:

• Temperature: 77–79°F (25–26°C)
• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG
• Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH (keep swings under 0.3 dKH per day)
• Calcium: 420–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
• Nitrate: 2–10 ppm; Phosphate: 0.03–0.08 ppm

Hawkins Echinata hates instability more than slightly “imperfect” numbers. Focus on consistency first.

Placement, Lighting, and Care Tips

This coral thrives under strong, blue-heavy lighting and moderate, random flow.

• Lighting: Aim for 250–350 PAR. Start lower and increase over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching.
• Flow: Moderate to strong, but indirect. Use alternating or gyre-style flow so polyps sway without the tissue being blasted.
• Placement: Mid-to-upper rockwork, with room for branches to grow outward and upward.

Feeding and Maintenance

• Feed a quality amino acid supplement 2–3 times per week, especially in low-nutrient systems.
• Keep a regular schedule for testing alkalinity—daily in new systems, then 2–3 times weekly once stable.
• Use an auto-doser for alkalinity and calcium; manual dosing often leads to swings that Hawkins Echinata won’t tolerate.
• Inspect weekly for pests like red bugs or Acropora-eating flatworms; dip any new frags before adding them.

With strong, stable parameters and thoughtful placement, Hawkins Echinata Acropora can become a standout centerpiece in your SPS reef.