Saltwater Corals

Aquariums that contain live saltwater corals are known as reef tanks and are among the most challenging ecosystems for an aquarist to set up and maintain. Considerable research must be done before establishing a reef tank, and even then the aquarist must be prepared to invest the necessary time and money to be successful. Here is a general outline of the knowledge an aquarist should possess about saltwater corals.

Choosing and Buying Saltwater Coral Types The primary consideration when choosing saltwater corals is compatibility with other animals. Some marine fish and starfish will eat corals, so do your research. It's usually advisable for beginning reef tank aquarists not to keep soft corals and hard corals in the same aquarium, as they will compete for available space. Soft corals and mushroom anemones are excellent for beginners. Star polyps are very pretty soft corals, while colt corals and finger leathers are easier corals to maintain.

As for the rest, small-polyped stony corals are the most difficult to keep. Large-polyped hard corals that can be kept with soft corals include open brain corals and disc corals.

Buying saltwater corals is inexpensive, and trading corals with other aquarists can also be done through sites such as frags.org.

Maintenance and Care of Saltwater Corals
Basic care and maintenance of saltwater corals is at least partially synonymous with basic aquarium maintenance. Perform regular water changes and chemical tests. Clean the reef tank's protein skimmer regularly. Add trace elements to the water as necessary. Keep algae under control, and change light bulbs on schedule rather than when you notice a lighting deficiency.

Acclimation and Light Requirements
Never rush the acclimation process with saltwater corals. The drip method of acclimation is recommended. Allow two to three hours for acclimation. Avoid touching the fleshy part of live coral.

Proper lighting is one of the key environmental needs of live saltwater corals. Blue lights best simulate the sunshine corals receive in the ocean depths. Actinic bulbs are commonly used in reef tanks, often in combination with full spectrum bulbs. With reef tanks, try to provide about five watts per gallon of water.

Laws and Regulations
Coral reef ecosystems have been depleted worldwide by climate change, pollution, and commercial fishing. Federal environmental laws and regulations have been put in place to help address this, but aquarists can help in small ways. Don't remove corals from their natural environment. Trade coral frags with other reef tank owners, and buy only corals that have been farmed in captivity rather than caught in the wild.