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How to Care for Your Coral

30 April 2019 by Jennifer Barrett

Saltwater aquariums are a little more complicated to maintain than freshwater tanks. However, the beauty and diversity of saltwater plants and animals can make this extra work worthwhile. If you decide to make a reef tank, you can fill it with beautiful coral. People sometimes mistake coral for a type of rock, but in reality, coral is a living thing. Like all living things, it requires certain things in order to thrive. Here are a few tips to help you take care of your coral:

1. Choose the right kind of coral.

Not all corals are the same. Just like plants, some corals are easier to care for than others. When you're first starting out with a reef tank, it's a good idea to choose corals that are more beginner-friendly. Trumpet coral and bubble coral are popular choices. You should also consider Ricordea coral, also known as flower mushroom coral. Bubble coral is extremely hardy and low-maintenance, while trumpet and Ricordea coral offer bright, luminous color without too much extra fuss.

If you want to buy Ricordea, there are many vendors who can help you out.

2. Add fish carefully.

One of the joys of keeping an aquarium is being able to watch fish swim around. You can certainly include fish in your reef tank, as long as you choose your fish carefully. Some fish will eat or otherwise destroy your reef coral, which can be costly to replace. According to The Spruce Pets, angelfish, gobies, and clownish are all reef-safe. If you have your eye on another type of fish that isn't on this list, ask your local pet store owner if it's compatible with your reef tank.

3. Maintain the water condition.

One of the reasons saltwater tanks are more difficult to maintain is that there are additional variables to keep your eye on when it comes to water quality. You need to maintain optimal levels of salinity, in addition to pH and temperature. Use nitrifying bacteria to keep your tank nitrite and ammonia levels at coral-safe concentrations. Test your water regularly, since an excess of these two chemicals can easily kill your reef.

4. Provide adequate lighting.

Coral reefs are usually found close to the surface of the water, where they have access to plenty of sunlight for photosynthesis. Since your reef tank will reside indoors, you will have to provide artificial light to mimic the effects of the sun. Clean your tank regularly so debris in the water doesn't cloud the tank and make it difficult for light to reach your corals.

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