How to Introduce New Corals to Your Tank

Most aquarium enthusiasts acquire live tropical corals with no undue trouble. However, properly introducing and acclimatizing the corals into your existing aquarium sometimes poses a challenge. Different types of coral may require slightly different handling procedures. Follow a few standard procedures when trying to acclimate any type of living coral into your aquarium.

Things You'll Need

Live coral
Aquarium system
Aqua gloves
Underwater adhesive

Instructions

- 1
  Acquire your live coral from a trusted aquarium store or from an online vender. Place a set a waterproof aqua gloves and an underwater adhesive substance, such as Mr. Sticky's Underwater Glue or AquaStik underwater epoxy, nearby.
- 2
  Put on your aqua gloves and pick up your coral to place it into your aquarium. Most corals will come attached to a small rock. Soft corals, such as polyps and mushroom corals, will be damaged if handled by hand; touch these only by the rock. Hard corals can be handled by the tough exoskeleton that surrounds them.
- 3
  Place your coral at the bottom of your aquarium in a shady spot with minimum light. Some corals can become burned if exposed to extreme lighting, such as heavy fluorescent lights.
- 4
  Observe how your coral reacts to its new surroundings. After a few days, if the coral becomes fully extended and shows off its full colors, it has acclimatized to its surroundings well. If you wish, move the coral to another spot and observe. If the coral starts to lose its color and extension, relocate it again to a better spot.
- 5
  Determine the best spot in your aquarium for the final placement of your coral. Research, online or with a trusted book, the coral's lighting and water flow requirements. Keep in mind that your coral will grow over time; select a spot with adequate room for growth. Secure the coral into position using the underwater glue. Otherwise, roving snails and crabs might knock it out place.