| Have you ever wanted to raise coral in a | | | | reef to get the full benefit of your lighting. |
| saltwater aquarium? When most people go to | | | | Polyps also require a strong water current, so you |
| begin a saltwater aquarium, they do so because | | | | will need to outfit your tank with a filter that |
| they have a desire to create a miniature version | | | | circulates the water throughout your entire tank |
| of the ocean in their living room. Besides the | | | | or get one of those power jets. Be sure your |
| brightly color fish and flowing plants, they've been | | | | current creates a swirl of water, rather than a |
| intrigued by growing a coral reef in their | | | | linear current. |
| saltwater aquarium, the ultimate goal of many a | | | | Be sure to research the coral you are considering |
| saltwater aquarium enthusiast. | | | | purchasing as each different breed of coral may |
| If you're a beginner, it's not advised that your | | | | require specialty lighting. |
| first attempt with a saltwater aquarium is to try | | | | Coral, like all living creatures, requires the correct |
| and raise coral. Start with a mini-pod or small | | | | type of food. Most coral need to be fed every |
| saltwater aquarium and become familiar with all | | | | two to three days. It was believed that coral |
| the ins and outs of saltwater aquariums first. | | | | reefs only needed minimal food supplies, because |
| Once you have mastered the creating and | | | | corals were nutrient poor. And then other folks |
| maintaining of a saltwater aquarium, you will be | | | | assumed that coral reefs used photosynthesis for |
| ready to add one of the hardier breeds of | | | | feeding. Both of these assumptions have been |
| saltwater coral to your tank. | | | | proven wrong. Coral require food that has to be |
| Before your purchase your coral reef, keep in | | | | frozen or refrigerated – in other words food |
| mind that you are not just adding an elaborate | | | | that is fairly fresh. Once coral food becomes |
| rock to your tank. Coral are called "Polyps" | | | | stale, it is no longer good for the coral. |
| which are tiny invertebrate. These polyps work | | | | Coral size is a determinant in figuring out how |
| together to form the limestone structures | | | | much food you can provide your coral reef. If |
| commonly known as coral reefs. Polyps require | | | | your coral has large fleshy looking polyps you will |
| special care and food, proper lighting, and water. | | | | be able to feed them large pieces of food, |
| Just "dropping" them into your saltwater tank and | | | | minced meat and large zooplankton. |
| forgetting about them will likely kill them. | | | | Smaller polyps require smaller pieces of food, as |
| Critical to coral surviving (and to any saltwater life | | | | your coral needs to be able to digest the food. |
| form) is having good water. An abrupt change in | | | | So keep in mind the size of your polyps when |
| your water can cause any of your fish or your | | | | feeding your coral. |
| polyps to go into a state of shock. It this | | | | It would be a terrible experience to have your |
| happens you'll know because your coral reef will | | | | coral die because it has starved to death because |
| change color. Be sure your saltwater aquarium is | | | | it cannot digest the food you have provided. |
| filled with clear water, which will allow the coral | | | | |