Your Complete Coral Guide

Starting a coral aquarium is one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of the marine hobby. These living jewels can transform your tank into a vibrant underwater paradise, but they require dedication, patience, and the right knowledge to thrive.

 

This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully keep coral in your home aquarium.

Understanding Coral

Corals are fascinating animals that form colonies of tiny polyps. Most aquarium corals have a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live inside their tissues and provide nutrients through photosynthesis. This partnership is why most corals need proper lighting to survive in your tank.

 

Understanding this relationship is important since it affects everything from lighting requirements to feeding schedules. When corals are stressed, they expel these algae and turn white—a process called bleaching that can be fatal if not addressed quickly.

Essential Equipment for Coral Keeping Success

Lighting

First, let's talk about the importance of lighting in your aquarium. Lighting is arguably the most critical component of any coral setup. Different corals have vastly different light requirements - for example, most species of SPS (Small Polyp Stony) coral, such as the Acropora will require higher levels of intense lighting, compared with LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals. Here is a breakdown of some of the most popular options for lighting your coral reef tank:

 

• LED Systems: Modern LED fixtures offer full spectrum lighting with customizable intensity and color. Look for systems that provide both blue and white light with PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) values appropriate for your coral types.
• T5 Fluorescent: Still popular among experienced reef keepers, T5 systems provide excellent color rendition and even light distribution.
• Metal Halide: Less common now but still effective, these provide intense, point-source lighting that many corals love.

Water Parameters

Maintaining stable water parameters is absolutely vital for coral success. Invest in quality test kits and monitor these parameters regularly:

• Salinity: 1.025-1.026
• Temperature: 76-78°F (24-26°C)
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
• Nitrates: <10 ppm (ideally <5 ppm)
• Phosphates: <0.1 ppm

Filtration & Water Movement

Different species of coral will require a certain level of filtration and water movement. Before introducing coral to your tank, make sure that you understand what each species requires. Here are three considerations when it comes to filtration and water movement:

• Protein Skimmer: Essential for removing organic waste before it breaks down into harmful compounds.
• Live Rock: Provides biological filtration and surfaces for beneficial bacteria.
• Water Flow: Corals need adequate water movement to bring them food and oxygen while removing waste. Aim for 10-20 times your tank volume per hour, but avoid creating direct, harsh currents.

Choosing Your First Corals: Beginner-Friendly Options

 

Starting with hardy, forgiving coral species is key to building confidence and experience. Here are the best beginner corals for when you’re first starting out in the hobby:

Soft Corals (Easiest to Keep)

• Zoanthids and Palythoas: Colorful, hardy, and available in countless varieties. Perfect for adding vibrant colors to your reef. Please browse all our Zoas and Palys here.
• Xenia: Beautiful pulsing polyps that are very hardy and grow quickly. They actually prefer slightly higher nutrient levels than most corals.
• Leather Corals: Including toadstool and finger leathers, these are extremely hardy and tolerant of parameter swings.
• Green Star Polyps (GSP): Nearly indestructible and fast-growing. Great for adding movement and bright green color to your tank. Warning: they can overtake other corals, so place them on isolated rocks!

Large Polyp Stony (LPS) Corals

• Duncan Coral: Extremely hardy with beautiful flowing tentacles. Responds well to target feeding.
• Candy Cane Coral: Forgiving and grows relatively quickly with proper care.
• Hammer Coral: Stunning when fully extended, but needs moderate lighting and flow, from the Euphyllidae family.
• Torch Coral: Similar care to hammers but with distinctive tentacle tips.

Small Polyp Stony (SPS) Corals (Advanced)

Save these for when you have at least 6-12 months of successful coral keeping under your belt:

• Montipora species (most forgiving SPS). Browse our Montipora coral collection here.
• Acropora species (most challenging but rewarding with proper care!)

Setting Up Your First Coral Tank

Tank Size Considerations

Bigger is always better with coral tanks. Larger volumes are more stable and forgiving of mistakes. A 40-gallon tank is the practical minimum for most coral setups, with 75+ gallons being ideal for beginners.

The Nitrogen Cycle

Before adding any corals, your tank must complete the nitrogen cycle. This process typically takes 4-8 weeks and involves beneficial bacteria establishing colonies to process fish waste. Test for ammonia and nitrites—both should read zero before adding corals.

Acclimation Process

Proper acclimation is critical for coral survival:

1. Float the bag in your tank for 15 minutes to equalize temperature
2. Drip acclimate for 30-60 minutes, slowly adding tank water to the bag
3. Remove the coral from the bag and place it in the tank, discarding the bag water
4. Turn off pumps temporarily to prevent the coral from being blown around

Coral Placement: Location, Location, Location

Lighting Zones

Divide your tank into lighting zones:

• High light: Top third of the tank for SPS and some LPS
• Medium light: Middle section for most LPS and some softs
• Low light: Bottom and shaded areas for soft corals and non-photosynthetic species

Water Flow

• High flow: SPS corals and some LPS
• Medium flow: Most LPS and soft corals
• Low flow: Mushrooms and some soft corals

A Note on Coral Spacing

As you research which coral species you should be adding to your tank, make sure you understand how territorial vs peaceful each species is. Give your corals room to grow and prevent warfare (many corals have sweeper tentacles that can sting and kill neighboring corals). Research each species' spacing requirements before you buy!

Feeding Your Corals

While most corals get nutrients from their symbiotic algae, supplemental feeding can dramatically improve growth and coloration:

• Phytoplankton: For filter-feeding corals and overall system health
• Zooplankton: Small meaty foods like baby brine shrimp or commercial coral foods
• Amino Acids: Can enhance coral coloration and health
• Target Feeding: Use a turkey baster or feeding tube to deliver food directly to LPS corals

When it comes to feeding schedule, you'll want to start conservatively—overfeeding can crash your system. Begin with feeding 2-3 times per week and adjust based on coral response and water parameters.

5 Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

#1: Rushing the Process

One of the most common mistakes beginner coral keepers make is adding the corals too quickly, or before the tank has had a chance to become stable. Solution: We suggest waiting a minimum of at least 3-6 months after setup, and then you can start adding the corals slowly.

 

You should consider quarantining new corals to prevent introducing pests or diseases to your tank. Also, be sure to invest in more advanced testing equipment like kits or electronic meters for more accurate readings.

#2: Poor Water Quality

Another common mistake we see is inconsistent water testing and maintenance. Reef keeping is a time-consuming investment, but hard work pays off! Our solution is to test weekly by performing regular water changes, and maintaining stable parameters.

#3: Inadequate Lighting

Corals demand proper lighting in order to thrive. If you make the mistake of purchasing cheap or inappropriate lighting just to save money, and it doesn't meet the requirements of the species you've chosen, your corals will suffer. Our solution is to thoroughly research your corals' needs and invest in quality lighting from the start - trust us, it's worth it!

#4: Overcrowding

When first getting started with corals, it might be tempting to buy as many specimens as you want and inadvertently place them a little too close together. This may cause more territorial corals to use their sweeper tentacles to sting and kill other neighboring corals. Make sure to plan for coral growth and maintain proper spacing in the tank.

#5: Continually Adjusting Parameters

Lastly, one of the most common mistakes we see beginners make is continually adjusting the water chemistry of the tank. It's important to remember that the water parameters you have set need to be within a range - not necessarily perfect. Note that stability is more important than perfect numbers.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

 

Whether you're a beginner just starting out, or you are trying to care for a new coral species, it's not uncommon to run into issues when coral keeping. Here are some of the most common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

 

Coral Bleaching

• Symptoms: Coral turns white or pale
• Causes: Temperature swings, lighting changes, poor water quality
• Solutions: Check parameters, ensure stable conditions, reduce lighting temporarily

Coral Not Opening

• Symptoms: Polyps remain retracted
• Causes: Poor water flow, incorrect lighting, chemical warfare from other corals
• Solutions: Adjust placement, check water quality, ensure adequate spacing

Algae Growth on Corals

• Symptoms: Green, brown, or red algae covering coral tissue
• Causes: High nutrients, insufficient water flow, inadequate cleanup crew
• Solutions: Improve water quality, increase flow, add herbivorous fish and invertebrates

Building Your Cleanup Crew

A good cleanup crew is essential for maintaining a healthy coral environment. These include invertebrates like crabs, snails, and shrimp, as well as fish. Adding a cleanup crew is not only important for coral health, they are also fun to watch swimming or crawling around in your tank!

 

Below are some of our suggestions:

• Hermit Crabs: Eat algae and detritus
• Snails: Various species for different types of algae
• Sea Urchins: Excellent algae eaters (but may knock over small corals)
• Fish: Tangs, blennies, and gobies help control algae

Maintenance Schedule for Coral Success

Daily Tasks

Daily tasks for a reef keeper will include visual inspection of corals and fish to make sure all species look happy and healthy, checking the water temperature, and feeding the fish and corals if scheduled.

Weekly Tasks

Every 7 days, you should also spend some time checking and testing the water parameters, cleaning the glass, checking the equipment to make sure everything is functioning properly, and lastly, performing a small water change (10-15%).

Monthly Tasks

Once a month, you'll need to deep clean the aquarium's equipment. You will also need to replace the filter media and trim and fraq overgrown corals. Lastly, you should perform a larger water change (than the smaller weekly change).

Growing & Fragging Your Corals

As your corals grow, you'll want to frag them. For soft corals, you can usually cut them using scissors or a sharp knife. For LPS corals, you may need to invest in a bone saw or dremel tool. Lastly, for SPS corals, you should use coral cutters or bone cutters. Always use clean tools and allow cut surfaces to heal in low-flow areas.

Your Coral Journey Starts with Sanctuary Aquatics!

 

Keeping corals successfully requires patience, dedication, and continuous learning. At Sanctuary Aquatics, we recommend that you start small, focus on water quality, and don't rush the process. Every successful reef keeper started exactly where you are now—with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Remember that coral keeping is as much art as science. Each tank is unique, and what works for one person may need adjustment for another.

 

Your first successful coral polyp extension, your first coral spawn, or your first successful fragging will be moments you'll treasure, and at Sanctuary Aquatics, we're excited that you've started this incredible, rewarding journey. Please browse our coral collection here for all SPS or LPS corals. We carry beginner, intermediate, and advanced species like Acans, Goniopora, Montipora, Blastomussa, Lobophyllia, Chalice, Mushroom, Acropora, Frogspawn, Hammer, Cyphastrea, Favia, and more beautiful coral species. We also have dedicated categories for WYSIWYG and Almost WYSIWYG so that you know if you're getting the exact specimen or one just like it.

 

If you have questions, we're here to help! Contact our team online here, or call us at 920-385-4802 with questions on water parameters, quarantining, fragging, spacing, and more. Welcome to the incredible world of coral keeping!