Reef Coral Basics

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

09 Apr 2008 02:54 PM

If you're looking for something beyond fish for your aquarium, take a look at reef coral. They can be colorful and intricate and add visual appeal to your fish tank.

Here are some reef coral care basics!

Coral require the following water conditions:

• Calcium should be between 400 and 450 parts per million (ppm).
• Ammonia and nitrite levels should be at or near zero.
• Nitrate levels should be below 10 parts per million -- as close to zero as possible.
• Phosphate levels should be below 0.3 ppm.
• pH level should be between 8.2 and 8.4.
• Alkalinity should be between 3.2 and 4.5 meg/L.
• Salinity should be close to the specific gravity of natural sea water -- between 1.025 and 1.027.
• Water temperature should be between 80 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Food requirements vary depending on coral species -- many coral will eat zooplankton. However, there are several different types of zooplankton that provide different nutrients. Some coral also get nutrients from broken-down organic matter, also known as dissolved organic compounds. You don't want to let too many DOCs build up in your aquarium water, as they can contribute to nitrate buildup.

Light requirements vary by coral species. In general, soft coral require less light and hard corals need more intense light. Some hard corals live by photosynthesis and need light to make food! In some coral species, a lack of light can lead to color loss, also known as color bleaching.

Some coral species need a periodic surge of water in order to flush debris from their surfaces. Water movement requirements can vary by species.

Keep in mind that some species of coral are more difficult to keep than others. Do your research before you buy any coral for your aquarium! Some coral species do not live well with other types in a closed aquarium system.

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