Vivid Rainbow Delight Acropora: Color and Care Basics

The Vivid Rainbow Delight Acropora is a high-end SPS coral prized for its intense multi-color branches and strong polyp extension. To keep those colors popping, you’ll need stable water, strong light, and plenty of flow.

Target parameters:

• Temperature: 77–79°F (25–26°C)
• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG
• Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH (keep swings under 0.3 dKH/day)
• Calcium: 420–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
• Nitrate: 2–10 ppm; Phosphate: 0.03–0.08 ppm

Tip: Stability beats perfection. Slightly “dirty” but stable water often colors this coral better than ultra-low nutrients.

Placement, Lighting, and Flow for Best Color

Vivid Rainbow Delight Acropora thrives under strong, blue-leaning lighting. LED, T5, or hybrids all work if PAR and spread are right.

Lighting

• Aim for 250–350 PAR in the final placement zone.
• Start the frag lower and acclimate over 2–3 weeks, raising it slowly.
• Use a 14–20K blue-heavy spectrum to enhance rainbow coloration.

Flow and Mounting

• Provide strong, random flow (gyres or alternating powerheads).
• Avoid direct laminar blasts; aim for cross-flow that keeps polyps moving without peeling tissue.
• Mount on a stable rock shelf or peak with room to grow upward and outward.

Daily and Weekly Practices

• Test alkalinity 3–4x/week in growing tanks; dose 2-part or use a calcium reactor as needed.
• Feed the tank lightly with fine particle coral foods 1–2x/week during low flow, then resume normal flow after 15–20 minutes.
• Inspect regularly for Acropora pests (AEFW, red bugs) and dip new frags before adding.

Dialing in these basics will keep your Vivid Rainbow Delight Acropora colorful, fast-growing, and photo-ready.