Caring for Corals: Essential Practices for Every Experience Level

Creating a thriving coral reef in your home aquarium is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—endeavors in the marine hobby. Whether you're a beginner just dipping your toes into saltwater or a veteran aquarist managing an advanced reef system, understanding coral care fundamentals is essential for success. In this guide, we’ll explore coral types, care techniques, common challenges, and expert tips that apply to all levels.

Understanding Coral Types: Soft, LPS, and SPS

Before you dive into coral care, it’s important to recognize the three primary types of corals, each with their own care requirements and visual appeal.

Soft Corals

Mushroom

Great for: Beginners

Characteristics:

• Flexible, flowy movement

• No stony skeleton

• Tend to grow quickly

• Tolerate wider ranges of water quality

Examples: Zoanthids, Green Star Polyps (GSP), Mushrooms, Leather Corals

LPS (Large Polyp Stony) Corals

Hammer

Great for: Intermediate hobbyists

Characteristics:

• Have hard skeletons with large, fleshy polyps

• Moderate care difficulty

• Need moderate lighting and flow

• Often benefit from target feeding

Examples: Hammer, Torch, Frogspawn, Acan, Favia

SPS (Small Polyp Stony) Corals

Great for: Advanced reefers

Acropora

Characteristics:

• Rigid skeleton with small polyps

• Require pristine water conditions

• Thrive under strong lighting and flow

• Sensitive to parameter swings

Examples: Acropora, Montipora, Birdsnest, Stylophora

Coral Care Basics: What All Hobbyists Should Know

Regardless of coral type, there are universal care practices every aquarist should follow:

Water Quality is King

• Salinity: 1.025 specific gravity

• Temperature: 76–82°F (keep stable)

• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

• Calcium: 400–450 ppm

• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

• Nitrates: 0–10 ppm

• Phosphates: 0–0.03 ppm for SPS

Test your water regularly using quality test kits or digital monitors. Consistency is more important than perfection!

Lighting

Corals need light to photosynthesize via symbiotic zooxanthellae. Use reef-specific LED or T5 lights, and adjust intensity based on coral type:

• Softies: Low to moderate light

• LPS: Moderate light

• SPS: High-intensity light (PAR 250+)

Water Flow

Proper water movement ensures oxygenation and nutrient export. Use wavemakers or powerheads.

• Softies: Gentle, indirect flow

• LPS: Moderate flow

• SPS: Strong, random flow

Feeding Your Corals

Many corals can absorb nutrients from light, but feeding helps them grow and color up. Use:

• Mysis shrimp, reef roids, phytoplankton

• Target feed LPS and some soft corals 1–2x per week

• SPS benefit from very small particle foods

Common Coral Diseases & Challenges

Even experienced reefers run into trouble. Here are the most common coral issues and how to handle them:

Brown Jelly Disease

• Symptoms: Brown, stringy decay on fleshy corals (e.g., Euphyllia)

• Treatment: Remove infected tissue, dip in iodine-based solution, improve water flow

RTN/STN (Rapid/Tissue Necrosis)

• Symptoms: Sudden tissue loss in SPS

• Causes: Parameter swings, bacterial infection, stress

• Treatment: Frag healthy tissue, stabilize parameters

Pests and Parasites

• Aiptasia, flatworms, nudibranchs can destroy coral colonies

• Prevention: Dip all new coral additions in coral-safe dips

• Treatment: Manual removal, predators (e.g., peppermint shrimp), or chemical treatments

  
  

Parameter Instability

• Even minor swings in alkalinity or salinity can stress corals.

• Solution: Automate top-off systems, dose carefully, and test often

Aiptasia

Tips by Experience Level

Beginner Tips

• Start with softies and hardy LPS

• Don’t chase perfection—aim for stability

• Avoid overcrowding your tank too quickly

• Dip all corals before adding to your display tank

• Learn to read coral behavior (polyp extension, color changes)

Intermediate Tips

• Automate lighting and dosing for better consistency

• Try LPS and easy SPS like Montipora

• Begin tracking nutrient levels and adjusting feeding accordingly

• Invest in high-quality test kits

Advanced Tips

• Use ICP testing to analyze water chemistry in detail

• Tackle Acropora and sensitive SPS

• Maintain ultra-low nutrient systems (ULNS) if aiming for maximum color

• Master coral fragging techniques

Build with Patience and Passion

Coral reef aquariums reward patience, research, and consistent care. Every coral enthusiast—from weekend hobbyists to expert aquascapers—knows the journey is as beautiful as the reef itself. Whether you’re stocking your first frag or chasing vibrant Acropora growth, the key is to stay curious, observe your tank closely, and never stop learning.

Looking to stock your reef with healthy, vibrant corals?

Browse our hand-picked coral collections!