Coral Care Guide for Beginners

The Foundation

What Do Corals Need to Survive?

Corals are living animals, and different species have different requirements. However, most commonly kept reef-building corals depend on the same basic foundations.

Beginners should focus first on stability. A reef aquarium that stays within appropriate ranges is generally preferable to one where the aquarist is constantly making large adjustments trying to reach an exact number.

◒

Stable Water

Maintain appropriate salinity, temperature, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nutrient levels without sudden swings.

☀

Proper Lighting

Photosynthetic corals depend heavily on light. Different corals require different light intensity and PAR.

≈

Water Flow

Flow carries oxygen and nutrients to coral while helping prevent waste and debris from settling on the colony.

⌖

Proper Placement

Placement determines how much light and flow a coral receives and how much space it has from neighboring corals.

↓

Careful Acclimation

New coral should be introduced thoughtfully so it can adjust to differences between its previous environment and your aquarium.

↻

Consistency

Regular testing, maintenance and observation are more important than constantly changing the aquarium.

Water Chemistry

Recommended Reef Tank Water Parameters

Water chemistry is one of the most important parts of coral care. The following ranges provide a practical starting point for many mixed reef aquariums.

Parameter	General Target Range	Why It Matters
Temperature	76–80°F	Supports normal coral metabolism and biological processes.
Salinity	1.024–1.026 SG	Maintains the proper salt concentration for marine organisms.
pH	8.0–8.4	Influences coral growth and overall seawater chemistry.
Alkalinity	8–11 dKH	Helps stabilize pH and supports skeletal growth.
Calcium	400–450 ppm	Used by stony corals to build calcium carbonate skeletons.
Magnesium	1250–1400 ppm	Helps maintain the balance between calcium and alkalinity.
Nitrate	Approx. 2–20 ppm	Provides nutrients while avoiding excessive accumulation.
Phosphate	Approx. 0.03–0.10 ppm	Needed in small amounts but excessive levels can create problems.

Beginner tip: Don't chase numbers from day to day. Test consistently, watch the trend and make gradual corrections. Rapid changes in alkalinity, salinity or temperature can be more stressful to coral than a stable value that is slightly different from your target.

Lighting

Coral Lighting & PAR

Most reef aquarium corals contain photosynthetic symbiotic algae commonly called zooxanthellae. Light therefore provides a major source of energy for many corals.

PAR—Photosynthetically Active Radiation—is commonly used by reef keepers to describe the amount of usable light reaching a coral. More PAR is not automatically better. The goal is to provide an appropriate amount for the coral you are keeping.

50–100 Lower PAR

Often suitable for many mushrooms, some soft corals and other lower-light species.

100–200 Moderate PAR

A common range for many LPS corals and numerous mixed-reef species.

200–350+ Higher PAR

Frequently associated with light-demanding SPS corals such as many Acropora species.

PAR requirements vary significantly by species, individual coral and aquarium. When moving a coral into stronger lighting, increase its exposure gradually rather than immediately placing it under maximum intensity.

Water Movement

How Much Flow Do Corals Need?

Water movement helps deliver oxygen and nutrients while carrying waste away from coral tissue. The correct amount depends heavily on the coral.

Too Little Flow

Debris may collect on the coral, gas exchange can be reduced and some corals may struggle to extend normally.

Too Much Direct Flow

Strong, concentrated flow can cause fleshy coral tissue to retract, remain closed or become damaged against the skeleton.

Watch the coral itself. Euphyllia such as Torch Corals should generally move naturally with the current rather than being violently pushed in one direction.

Finding the Right Spot

Where Should You Place New Corals?

Coral placement is not simply about putting the most colorful coral where it looks best. Its position determines light intensity, water movement, room for growth and interaction with neighboring corals.

Start Conservatively

Unless you know the coral was previously kept under lighting and flow similar to your aquarium, starting in a somewhat less intense location can make acclimation easier.

Move the coral gradually if it needs additional light.

Leave Room to Grow

Corals compete for space. Some species can extend sweeper tentacles or use other defensive mechanisms against nearby colonies.

Consider the coral's future size—not just the size of the frag today.

New Coral

How to Acclimate New Corals

Acclimation helps reduce stress caused by differences in temperature, salinity, lighting and other conditions between systems. Always follow any specific acclimation instructions provided with your coral.

1

Inspect the Coral

Check the coral and shipping water immediately. Look for obvious damage, pests or unusual tissue condition.

2

Equalize Temperature

Follow the seller's instructions for bringing the coral closer to the aquarium's temperature without creating unnecessary delay.

3

Follow the Recommended Acclimation Method

Acclimation procedures can vary depending on how long an animal has been in transit and what is being acclimated.

4

Inspect and Dip When Appropriate

Many reef keepers use an appropriate coral dip and inspection process before adding new coral. Follow the directions for the specific dip being used.

5

Light Acclimate

Avoid immediately exposing a new coral to substantially stronger lighting than it previously experienced. Increase exposure gradually.

Nutrition

Do You Need to Feed Corals?

Many photosynthetic corals receive a significant portion of their energy through their symbiotic algae, but that does not mean every coral relies exclusively on light.

Depending on the species, corals may capture plankton, suspended particles or appropriately sized foods from the water. Some fleshy LPS corals can also respond well to occasional targeted feeding.

More food is not always better. Excess feeding can increase nitrate and phosphate. Feed appropriately for your livestock and monitor nutrient levels rather than automatically adding more food.

Choosing Coral

LPS vs. SPS vs. Soft Corals

Reef keepers often group corals into broad categories. These groups are useful for beginners, although individual species within each category can have very different care requirements.

LPS

Large Polyp Stony Corals

LPS corals have hard skeletons and generally larger, fleshier polyps. Popular examples include Torch, Hammer, Frogspawn, Micromussa and many brain corals.

Shop LPS Corals →

SPS

Small Polyp Stony Corals

SPS include corals such as Acropora, Montipora and Bird's Nest. Many require stronger lighting, substantial flow and very stable aquarium conditions.

Shop SPS Corals →

Soft

Soft Corals

Soft corals do not build the same rigid calcium carbonate skeleton as stony corals. Many mushrooms, leather corals and other soft corals can be forgiving choices for newer reef keepers.

Shop Soft Corals →

First Corals

What Are Good Corals for Beginners?

No coral is completely maintenance-free, but some species tend to tolerate the learning curve of a new reef keeper better than more demanding corals.

Zoanthids

Colorful colonial polyps available in a huge variety of patterns. Many varieties adapt well to moderate reef conditions.

Mushroom Corals

Many mushroom corals are hardy and tolerate lower lighting than numerous stony corals.

Duncan Corals

A popular LPS coral known for visible polyp extension and relatively straightforward care in stable aquariums.

Candy Cane Corals

A recognizable branching LPS that can be a manageable choice once basic reef parameters are stable.

Some Leather Corals

Several commonly kept leather corals can tolerate a range of reef conditions and provide movement in the aquarium.

Green Star Polyps

Hardy and fast growing. Because they can spread aggressively, many aquarists isolate them on a separate rock.

Shop Beginner Corals

Avoid These

Common Beginner Coral Care Mistakes

Many early coral problems come from changing too much, too quickly. These are some of the most common mistakes to watch for.

1. Adding Coral Too Quickly

A completed nitrogen cycle does not necessarily mean a young aquarium is already stable in every respect.

2. Chasing Exact Numbers

Constant dosing and adjustment can create parameter swings that are worse than a stable, acceptable value.

3. Giving Every Coral the Same PAR

Different coral species can have dramatically different lighting needs.

4. Too Much Direct Flow

More flow is not automatically better, especially for fleshy LPS corals.

5. Ignoring Coral Growth

A frag that looks far from its neighbor today may eventually grow into another coral's territory.

6. Changing Several Things at Once

If lighting, flow, dosing and placement are changed simultaneously, it becomes difficult to know what helped—or caused the problem.

7. Allowing Nutrients to Bottom Out

Nitrate and phosphate are not automatically enemies. Corals and their symbiotic organisms require nutrients.

8. Buying Before Researching

Check the coral's lighting, flow, aggression and expected size before deciding where it will live.

Observation

How Can You Tell if a Coral Is Happy?

Learning what your individual corals normally look like is one of the most valuable skills in reefkeeping. Changes in appearance can provide an early warning that something needs attention.

Positive Signs

Normal polyp extension for the species
Consistent coloration
Visible growth over time
Normal feeding response when applicable
Healthy-looking tissue coverage

Potential Stress Signs

Remaining unusually closed for extended periods
Rapid or significant color loss
Receding tissue
Exposed skeleton on a stony coral
Abnormal mucus or tissue deterioration

A closed coral does not automatically mean the coral is dying. Corals can retract temporarily after maintenance, feeding, handling or other disturbances. Look for patterns and investigate persistent or worsening changes.

Beginner Questions

Coral Care FAQ

Are corals hard to keep?

Some corals are considerably easier to maintain than others. Beginners can improve their chances of success by choosing hardy species and establishing stable water parameters, appropriate lighting and suitable flow before moving into more demanding corals.

How long should a reef tank run before adding coral?

There is no single age that guarantees an aquarium is ready. The nitrogen cycle must be established, but stability and the aquarist's ability to maintain consistent salinity, temperature and other parameters also matter.

Do corals need blue light?

Reef aquarium lighting commonly emphasizes blue wavelengths because they are useful for photosynthesis and also highlight coral fluorescence. What matters most is providing an appropriate spectrum, intensity and photoperiod for the corals being kept.

Do I need a PAR meter to keep coral?

A PAR meter is not mandatory for every reef aquarium, but it can be extremely useful for understanding how much light different areas of the aquarium receive and for placing corals more accurately.

Do corals need nitrate and phosphate?

Yes. Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients. The goal in most reef aquariums is controlled nutrient availability rather than automatically trying to reduce nitrate and phosphate to zero.

How often should I test reef tank water?

Newer aquariums and tanks undergoing changes generally benefit from more frequent testing. Once a system is stable, testing frequency can be adjusted based on consumption, livestock and the aquarist's maintenance routine.

What is the easiest type of coral for a beginner?

Many reef keepers begin with hardy soft corals, mushrooms, Zoanthids or forgiving LPS species. The best choice still depends on the lighting, flow and water chemistry available in the aquarium.

Why won't my new coral open?

A new coral may remain closed temporarily because of transportation, handling, lighting changes, flow changes or acclimation stress. Check temperature, salinity, placement and other parameters, and watch for signs of pests or tissue damage if the problem persists.

Continue Learning

Explore More Reefkeeping Resources

This beginner guide is only the starting point. Visit Reef Academy for coral-specific care information, reef aquarium fundamentals and additional guides as they are published.