{"product_id":"poccilopora-1-frag","title":"Poccilopora 1” frag","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePocillopora care guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePocillopora, often called cauliflower or brush coral, is a \u003cstrong\u003ebeginner-friendly SPS\u003c\/strong\u003e, but it still needs stable reef conditions. It is usually easier than Acropora and often more forgiving than many SPS, but unstable alkalinity, low flow, or sudden lighting changes can still burn it fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium to high light. A good target is around \u003cstrong\u003e150 to 300 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e, but start lower and acclimate upward if it came from weaker light. Too much light too fast can bleach it, while too little light can brown it out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate to strong, random\/turbulent flow. Do not blast one side with a direct jet, but the polyps should move. In the wild, some Pocillopora live in shallow, high-energy reef zones with strong wave action.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e middle to upper rockwork is usually best. Give it room, because it can grow into a dense branching colony and shade nearby corals. It is not as aggressive as many LPS, but it can still irritate neighbors by contact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParameter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTarget\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSalinity\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.025 to 1.026\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 to 79°F\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlkalinity\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 to 9 dKH, keep stable\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalcium\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e420 to 450 ppm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMagnesium\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1300 to 1400 ppm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNitrate\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 to 15 ppm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePhosphate\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03 to 0.12 ppm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e mostly photosynthetic. You do not need to target feed it, but it can benefit from fine coral foods, amino acids, or broadcast feeding in a nutrient-stable system. Do not overfeed trying to “help” it, because dirty swings hurt SPS more than hunger.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e fast when happy. It encrusts, branches, and can become a good starter SPS colony. One thing to know: when stressed, Pocillopora can do \u003cstrong\u003epolyp bailout\u003c\/strong\u003e, where polyps detach and potentially grow elsewhere in the tank. That is cool, but also annoying if it starts popping up in places you do not want.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSigns it is happy:\u003c\/strong\u003e good polyp extension, firm tissue, bright color, pale growth tips, slow encrusting at the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSigns something is wrong:\u003c\/strong\u003e bleaching, browning, no polyp extension for days, tissue peeling from the base, or white tips that are not normal growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrutally honest: Pocillopora is one of the better “first SPS” corals, but it is not a magic coral. If alkalinity swings, phosphate crashes, or you move it straight into high light, it can still go downhill quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Reef To Go","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53927012073771,"sku":null,"price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/5912\/0427\/files\/IMG_8212.jpg?v=1782624051","url":"https:\/\/reeftogo.com\/products\/poccilopora-1-frag","provider":"Reef To Go","version":"1.0","type":"link"}