Setting up a new tank is a fun experience, from deciding and acquiring equipment to designing the tank. However, the most exciting part is choosing different types of corals for the reef aquarium. This step transforms a plain white aquascape into a tank glowing with vibrant colors and light.
If you’re new to saltwater aquariums, start off small with a few tough coral species and then move up to more advanced varieties. You might not know which corals are considered the best beginner species. This article gives a basic overview of the different types of corals for reef aquariums helping you select the best according to your needs.
Groups Of Corals For Marine Tank
Setting up a reef tank can be tricky due to the wide variety of coral options available. It’s always a better idea to know the different coral species before starting to set up the reef tank. We know over 7,000 varieties of corals so the range is quite wide but there are four main groups of corals for marine tanks.
Soft Corals
Soft corals bend and don’t have a hard skeleton letting them sway like waves with the water. They don’t make calcium carbonate, which makes them good for beginners because they grow well in low light and normal water flow. Soft corals can handle small changes in water quality. They are simple to keep as they grow fast over rocks and the bottom, giving the tank a stunning lively look. Well-known types of soft corals include Zoanthids and Leather corals.
SPS
SPS, or Small Polyp Stony corals, build solid and complex branching structures that form the base of reef structures. Their small polyps and bright colors make these corals eye-catching. To grow well, they require steady levels of calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity, strong lights, and powerful water movement. SPS corals expand fast and need stable conditions. Aquarium enthusiasts often put them at the top of the tank to get the most light and water flow. Acropora and Montipora are common SPS corals that add a complex, reef-like appearance.
LPS
LPS, or Large Polyp Stony corals, have a tough skeleton but show big, meaty polyps that make them look soft and fascinating. They need steady calcium and alkalinity levels to build their skeleton. LPS corals thrive in medium light and flow, and people often put them in the middle or on the sides of the tank. This allows their polyps to move in the current creating a nice colorful view. You’ll often see frogspawn and ham corals as LPS corals.
Polyps
Polyps are hard small corals that grow covering large areas in tanks. They’re easy to care for and can adapt well to different conditions in medium light and water flow. Button polyps and Green Star polyps are good choices for beginners adding bright and rich colors to the tank. Because they spread so fast, polyps help create a fresh natural underwater scene.
Best Corals Types For Marine Aquariums
Whether you’re an experienced coral keeper or just starting out with a reef tank, there are many species of coral to consider adding to the aquarium. Though all are good for beginners, these corals make great additions to any reef tank. The level of challenge depends on the best environment for the coral, with the easy ones thriving in a wide range of conditions. Here are a few common types of corals for reef aquariums:
1. Acro Fragment
Acro fragment, or Acropora, adds life and color to marine habitats. Its complex branches and vivid hues create a reef-like atmosphere in the tank. Acropora needs bright lights and strong currents, which makes it a good fit for aquarium pros. When healthy, it shows off a fascinating look that grabs everyone’s attention. Taking care of Acropora species can be tough because they need specific calcium and alkalinity levels, but the results are worth the effort.
2. Lobed Brain Coral
Lobed brain coral, often called lobed brain coral or lobo coral, has an asymmetrical, brain-like shape with a wavy or lobed surface. Its complex look adds depth and texture to saltwater tanks making it appealing. Lobed brain corals have big fleshy polyps that may stretch from the coral’s surface. It shows different colors depending on lighting and water conditions but most species are bioluminescent that naturally produce and emit light.
3. Mushroom Corals
Mushroom corals have bold colors with odd rounded or oval shapes that resemble mushrooms. These soft fleshy corals do well in dim to medium light and gentle water flow so new hobbyists find them easy to keep. The wide array of hues and designs creates a striking underwater sea scene. Mushroom corals grow fast and cover rocks or the tank bottom like a thick blanket giving the setup a more natural look.
4. Millepora Fragment
Millepora also called fire coral, brightens up marine aquariums with its lively yellow and orange colors. Its hard structure and special texture are the most attractive. It needs lots of light and strong water flow, which can be tricky, but aquarium enthusiasts can manage it easily. Millepora grows fast and looks striking adding excitement to an aquarium. When it’s healthy, it becomes a unique centerpiece making the whole tank look like a real sea.
5. Green Star Polyps
Their bright green color and quick growth create rich green carpets giving tanks a natural look. Green Star Polyp corals do well in low to medium light and flow, which makes them great for new aquarium owners. These corals adapt and look striking adding to a chromatic saltwater tank atmosphere. Many people like them because they show blue, yellow, or purple colors under different lighting.
6. Branching Green Alveopora Large Frag
Branching Green Alveopora stands out in marine tanks with its unique branching structure and bright green colors. This large piece adds depth and texture growing well in moderate to high light and flow. Its show-stopping look brings elegance to the whole environment. This coral needs stable water conditions, but when healthy, it grows to be visually appealing and shows movement in the tank.
7. Gold Frogspawn
Gold frogspawn coral is a stunning LPS coral that looks attractive with its unique gold and green shades. It thrives well in moderate to strong light and water movement, requiring steady calcium and alkalinity levels. It emits a gold glow effect under different lighting conditions. This coral is pretty easy to look after, which makes it a good fit for people with no experience. When frogspawn is big, meaty polyps stretch out giving life and action to the tank and making it more pleasant.
8. Gold & Teal Favia Fragment
The Gold & Teal Favia fragment looks phenomenal with its bold gold with teal or turquoise colors. Its special contrast makes saltwater fish species look more interesting. This coral does well at a steady pace in medium light and water movement but needs more stable conditions. Gold and Teal Favia fragments are the best types of corals for reef aquariums because when healthy, they create a tree-like group making the tank sea aquascape.
9. Toadstool Mushroom Coral
Toadstool mushroom coral stands out because of its unique shape and big, meaty polyps. These umbrella-like mushrooms are found in a variety of shades like brown, gray, tan, green, or yellow. Toadstool corals grow pretty fast creating rich colorful carpets that look gorgeous. This coral likes steady water conditions, but with proper care, it adds amazing beauty and motion to the saltwater aquarium.
10. Cotton Candy Acropora Fragment
Cotton Candy Acropora has sweet, pastel, and gentle colors that shine in soft pink and blue tones resembling cotton candy. This piece brings a cozy and welcoming look to saltwater tanks needing bright light and strong power to thrive. As it grows, its delicate and feathery tentacles make a lacy effect that adds charm to the tank. The polyps of Cotton Candy Acropora stretch during the day but shrink at night.
If you have any further questions about the types of corals for reef aquariums, their maintenance, and their needs, feel free to reach out to our support team. Whether you need live coral reef species, for the aquarium, lights, filter media, protein skimmers, and dosing solutions, Eastern Marine Aquariums has everything you require!
