How to Make Saltwater Coral

Corals are vividly colored invertebrate animals that form massive reefs in warm seas around the world. Hard or small polyp stony corals secrete a limestone skeleton to protect their delicate polyps. These corals, which may be plated or branching, require strong currents and bright light. They are typically fragile animals and will only grow in aquariums with optimal water quality. Small polyp stony corals must be housed in water with a stable temperature and the correct levels of calcium and trace elements. With patience and attention to lighting and water parameters, aquarists will be successful in growing these fascinating reef animals.

Things You'll Need

  • Marine aquarium
  • Metal halide light
  • Calcium test kit
  • Aquarium calcium powder
  • Alkalinity test kit
  • Aquarium alkalinity booster agent
  • Towel
  • Small plastic container
  • Latex gloves (optional)
  • Aquarium-safe epoxy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Position a metal halide light source above the aquarium.

    • 2

      Use a calcium test kit to check the concentration of calcium in the aquarium. Add a commercial calcium powder to bring the level to between 420 to 450 ppm, if required.

    • 3

      Use an alkalinity test kit to check alkalinity of the water. Use an aquarium booster agent to elevate alkalinity to between 8 to 12dKH, if necessary.

    • 4

      Rinse your hands under a warm tap to remove soap residues or cream, both of which are detrimental to aquarium water.

    • 5

      Remove the original piece of acropora coral from the aquarium and place it on a moist towel.

    • 6

      Carefully break off one of the branching pieces. Return the original piece of coral to your aquarium.

    • 7

      Use a piece of tissue paper to dry the bottom of the coral fragment.

    • 8

      Use a piece of tissue to dry the area on your live rock where you choose to position the coral fragment. Place a small ball of aquarium-safe epoxy onto your piece of live rock and push the fragment into the epoxy. Smooth the epoxy around the base of the coral. Use approximately a half teaspoon full of epoxy.

    • 9

      Fill a small plastic bowl with aquarium water and place the live rock and coral fragment into the water to rinse off any excess epoxy.

    • 10

      Place the small piece of live rock onto a lager piece of rock in the aquarium, so that the coral fragment is approximately the same distance from the metal halide bulbs, as the original colony was. Choose a position in the aquarium where the new fragment is exposed to water movement.

    • 11

      Place future coral fragments, particularly those of a different species, at a distance from your first fragment, as the various types of corals are capable of stinging.