Collection: Beginner

Beginner Coral Species - Start with Soft Corals!

Have you been wanting to get into the aquarium hobby for a long time? Now is just as good a time as ever to get started! At Sanctuary Aquatics, we highly recommend that you start with soft corals as these are the most beginner-friendly.

 

The following coral species are known for their hardiness, relatively simple care requirements, and ability to thrive in newer reef systems. These beginner-friendly corals will help you build confidence and experience while creating a beautiful underwater landscape.

Zoanthids (Zoas and Palys)

Zoanthids are among the most popular beginner corals due to their incredible hardiness and wide variety of colors and patterns. These small polyp corals can tolerate fluctuating water parameters better than most other species and adapt well to different lighting conditions, from moderate to high intensity. They spread readily across rock surfaces, creating colorful carpets that can fill in gaps naturally.

 

Zoanthids are also relatively inexpensive and come in countless varieties, making them perfect for beginners who want to experiment with different colors and textures without breaking the bank.

Duncan Coral (Duncanopsammia axifuga)

Duncan corals are Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals that offer beginners a chance to keep hard corals successfully. They have beautiful, flowing tentacles that extend during feeding time and come in attractive green and orange colorations. Duncans are more forgiving than many other LPS corals and can adapt to moderate lighting conditions.

 

They benefit from occasional target feeding with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp or reef pellets, which makes feeding time interactive and rewarding. These corals also reproduce readily in captivity, often developing new heads that can be fragged and shared.

Mushroom Corals (Discosoma and Rhodactis)

Mushroom corals are technically corallimorphs rather than true corals, but they're staples in beginner reef tanks due to their incredible resilience. These disc-shaped creatures come in various colors including green, blue, red, and purple, and some varieties have interesting textures or patterns.

 

They prefer lower to moderate lighting and gentle flow, making them perfect for areas of the tank where other corals might struggle. Mushrooms reproduce readily by splitting or dropping small pieces that develop into new individuals, providing natural propagation opportunities for hobbyists.

Green Star Polyps (GSP)

Note: Some suggest avoiding the GSP due to its tendency to grow quickly and overtake your aquarium. When in doubt, check with an aquarium professional for recommendations.

 

Green Star Polyps are practically indestructible and considered one of the easiest corals to keep alive. These soft corals feature bright green polyps that wave gently in the current, creating mesmerizing movement in your tank. They grow quickly and can cover large areas of rock, making them excellent for filling background spaces.

 

GSP tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions and water parameters, and even if conditions become unfavorable, they simply retract their polyps until things improve. Their rapid growth means you'll see results in your beginner aquarium quickly, which is encouraging for new reef keepers.

Which Coral Should I Avoid If I’m a Beginner?

Some coral require very specific water parameters, lighting, and water flow, and the slightest changes in their environment can result in disease, bleaching, and even coral death. Other species can tend to become invasive and overtake your aquarium.

 

Below is a list of some species you should probably avoid if you’re a complete beginner in the hobby:

• Acropora Species (SPS Corals): Small polyp stony corals like Acropora are renowned for their vibrant colors but demand exceptional water quality that beginners typically cannot maintain. These corals require intense lighting, strong flow, and rock-solid stability in alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels. Even minor parameter fluctuations can cause rapid tissue loss or colony death, making them unsuitable until you've mastered basic coral care.
• Non-Photosynthetic Gorgonians & Sea Fans: These tree-like corals don't rely on lighting but present extreme feeding challenges that even experts find difficult. They must be fed multiple times daily with specialized foods, yet often refuse to eat for extended periods. The constant feeding leads to elevated nutrients and algae problems, while their contradictory flow requirements make proper placement nearly impossible.
• Sun Corals & Other Non-Photosynthetic Species: Sun corals require frequent feeding that dramatically increases your tank's bioload, often triggering algae blooms and water chemistry problems. The feeding process is time-consuming and must be done consistently. Most experts recommend avoiding all non-photosynthetic corals until you have several years of experience.
• Xenia Corals: While Xenia's pulsing polyps are mesmerizing and relatively easy to keep alive, they're aggressive spreaders that can quickly overtake an entire aquarium. Once established, it’s nearly impossible to remove completely and will smother other corals. Most experienced reef keepers won't trade Xenia frags due to their weedy reputation, meaning you'll be permanently stuck with them.

Basic Coral Care to Get You Started

Successful coral keeping requires maintaining stable water parameters and providing appropriate environmental conditions. While it may seem overwhelming at first, focusing on these key areas will set you up for long-term success with your reef aquarium.

Water Parameters

Good water chemistry includes particular attention to alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels. Alkalinity should be maintained between 8-12 dKH, calcium between 400-450 ppm, and magnesium between 1250-1350 ppm. These parameters work together to support coral skeletal growth and overall health. Regular testing with quality test kits will help you track these levels and make adjustments before problems arise. Consistency is more important than perfection – corals adapt better to stable conditions slightly outside ideal ranges than to constantly fluctuating parameters.

Temperature

Temperature should remain steady between 76-78°F throughout the day and night. Fluctuations of more than 2-3 degrees can stress corals and make them more susceptible to disease. A quality aquarium heater with a reliable controller is essential, and many reef keepers use backup heaters or temperature controllers for added security. Avoid placing the aquarium near windows, air conditioning vents, or heat sources that could cause temperature swings.

Salinity

Salinity should be maintained at 1.025-1.026 specific gravity (or 35 ppt), which mimics natural seawater conditions. Use a refractometer rather than a hydrometer for accurate readings, and calibrate it regularly with calibration fluid. When mixing new saltwater, allow it to mix for at least 24 hours before use to ensure proper dissolution and stabilization of all salt components.

Lighting

Most beginner corals thrive under LED lighting systems, which offer excellent control over intensity and spectrum. Start with lower light settings and gradually increase intensity over several weeks to prevent coral bleaching. Different corals have varying light requirements – soft corals and mushrooms typically prefer moderate lighting, while some LPS corals can handle higher intensities. A photoperiod of 8-10 hours is generally appropriate for most beginner setups.

Water Flow

Water flow should be gentle to moderate for most soft corals and mushrooms, while some hard corals prefer slightly stronger currents. The goal is to create random, turbulent flow that reaches all areas of the tank without creating dead spots or overly strong currents that could damage delicate coral tissue. Powerheads or wave makers can help create natural water movement, and placing them at different angles will eliminate stagnant areas.

Maintenance and Testing

Regular water changes of 10-20% weekly help maintain water quality by removing accumulated waste products and replenishing trace elements. Test key parameters at least weekly when starting out, and keep a log to track trends over time. This will help you catch any issues early before they become serious problems. Quality salt mix and properly prepared water are essential for successful water changes.

 

Remember that patience is key in reef keeping – corals grow slowly, and rushing the process often leads to problems.

Need Help Choosing Beginner Coral? Contact Sanctuary Aquatics Today!

For more information about beginner coral care, species selection, or to browse our selection of healthy corals, contact the Sanctuary Aquatics team today. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping new reef keepers succeed and can provide personalized advice for your specific setup. Contact us online or by phone today to start your coral reef journey with confidence and expert support.