Key takeaways
- Start with hardy soft corals and easy LPS before trying demanding SPS such as acropora.
- Stability matters more than chasing perfect numbers. Aim for a temperature of about 25–26 °C, salinity of about 35 ppt (SG 1.025–1.026) and pH of 8.0–8.4.
- Most corals rely on light for food, so match your coral to your lighting and place new corals lower first.
- Dip and quarantine new corals, feed lightly, and test alkalinity, calcium and nitrate regularly.
Corals turn a saltwater aquarium into a living reef. With the right choices and a stable tank, keeping them is very achievable, even for beginners. This guide covers the main coral types and the best starter corals. It also explains water, light, flow and feeding, and walks you through placing your first frag.
Understanding coral types
| Type | What it is | Examples | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft corals | No rigid skeleton; flexible and sway in the flow | Leathers, mushrooms, zoanthids, green star polyps | Easiest |
| LPS (large polyp stony) | Calcium carbonate skeleton with large fleshy polyps | Hammer, frogspawn, duncan, candy cane, brain corals | Easy–moderate |
| SPS (small polyp stony) | Dense skeleton with tiny polyps; fast growing | Montipora, acropora, pocillopora | Moderate–advanced |
Best corals for beginners
- Mushroom corals: very hardy, tolerate lower light and spread readily.
- Zoanthids and palythoa: colourful and tough. Wear gloves when handling palythoa.
- Leather corals: forgiving and fast growing. Give them space from stony corals.
- Green star polyps: very hardy but spread quickly, so keep them on an isolated rock.
- Duncan and candy cane corals: easy LPS that respond well to target feeding.
- Hammer and frogspawn: beautiful LPS with moderate needs. Give them room, as they sting.
Before mixing corals, read our coral compatibility guide. For more ideas, see the 10 best corals for reef aquariums.
Water quality
Corals do best in a mature, stable tank. Wait until your tank has fully cycled and algae is under control before adding your first coral.
- Temperature: 25–26 °C, held steady
- Salinity: about 35 ppt (SG 1.025–1.026)
- pH: 8.0–8.4
- Alkalinity: 7–9 dKH (stability is the key)
- Calcium: 400–450 ppm; magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
- Nitrate and phosphate: low but not zero
Our water chemistry guide and water testing guide explain what to test and how often.
Lighting and flow
Most corals host symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that turn light into food. Soft corals and most LPS do well under moderate light, while SPS need stronger, high-quality lighting. Modern reef LEDs let you tune both intensity and spectrum. Learn more in our reef lighting guide.
Flow delivers food and oxygen and carries waste away. Use wavemakers to create varied, random flow. Soft corals and LPS generally prefer gentle-to-moderate flow, while SPS like it stronger.
Placing your first coral
- Acclimate the coral to your tank's temperature, and match salinity slowly.
- Dip it in a coral dip to help remove hitchhiking pests, following the product instructions.
- Place it low first, in moderate flow and lower light, then move it up over 1–2 weeks if it needs more light.
- Secure it with coral glue or putty so it can't fall or be knocked over.
- Watch it over the next few days. Polyps that are closed for a day or two after the move are normal.
For more on quarantine, read how to quarantine corals.
Feeding corals
Light provides much of a coral's energy, but extra feeding can improve growth and colour, especially for LPS. Target feed LPS with small meaty or prepared coral foods 1–3 times a week. Feed lightly and watch nutrients, as overfeeding is a common cause of algae problems.
Routine maintenance
- Test alkalinity weekly and calcium, magnesium and nitrate regularly.
- Do regular water changes with quality marine salt. See how to mix saltwater.
- Top up evaporation with RO/DI water to keep salinity stable.
- Inspect corals for pests and keep glass and pumps clean.
Start your coral collection
Shop soft corals, LPS corals, Coral Essentials and coral glue and propagation supplies. All our corals are quarantined in-house before sale.
Products we use and recommend: EMA Premium Coral Glue · Red Sea DipX Coral Bath · Red Sea Reef Foundation ABC+
Frequently asked questions
What are the easiest corals for beginners?
Mushrooms, zoanthids, leather corals and green star polyps are among the hardiest. Duncans, candy canes, hammers and frogspawn are good first LPS corals.
How soon can I add corals to a new tank?
Wait until your tank has fully cycled and parameters have been stable for a few weeks. Start with one or two hardy corals.
How often should I feed corals?
Most corals benefit from light target feeding 1–3 times a week, depending on species. Light provides much of their energy.
What lighting do corals need?
Soft corals and most LPS thrive under moderate reef lighting. SPS need more intense light. A reef-specific LED is the most flexible choice.
