Best Beginner Corals for Reef Tanks: Easy Coral Types, Tank Requirements and Care Guide

The best beginner corals for a reef tank are the corals that give new reef keepers the highest chance of success while still delivering color, movement, growth, and excitement. A good beginner coral should be forgiving, adaptable, reasonably hardy, and suitable for the tank size, lighting, water flow, equipment, and maintenance routine the hobbyist actually has. The goal is not just to buy easy corals. The goal is to build a reef tank that stays stable enough for corals to open, color up, grow, and become long-term pieces in the aquarium.

Here at Extreme Corals, we have helped reef keepers choose live corals for decades, and in our experience, the most successful beginners are the ones who start with the right coral types instead of chasing the hardest or most expensive pieces too early. A new reef tank does not need to begin with Acropora, high-end Torch Corals, or delicate collector LPS corals. It should begin with corals that teach stability, lighting, flow, placement, nutrients, and observation without punishing every small mistake.

This complete beginner coral guide explains the best beginner corals for reef hobbyists, including soft corals, mushroom corals, Zoanthids, beginner LPS corals, hardy plating corals, tank size recommendations, equipment needs, lighting requirements, water flow, water parameters, coral placement, feeding, maintenance, coral compatibility, and the beginner mistakes that cause easy corals to fail. If you are starting a reef aquarium, also review our coral care guide, reef tank water parameters guide, and new arrival corals.

What Makes a Coral Beginner Friendly?

A beginner coral is not just a coral that survives neglect. A true beginner-friendly coral is one that can adapt to normal learning curves while still showing the reef keeper what is happening in the tank. The best beginner corals are hardy enough to tolerate reasonable variation, but responsive enough to teach the hobbyist when lighting, flow, nutrients, or placement are wrong.

Good beginner corals usually have these traits:

• Moderate or lower lighting requirements
• Flexible water flow tolerance
• Good adaptability in mixed reef tanks
• Less sensitivity to small nutrient changes
• Lower demand for calcium and alkalinity than advanced SPS corals
• Visible response when conditions are wrong
• Reasonable growth rate
• Good survival record in stable beginner reef tanks

In our experience, the best beginner corals are not always the cheapest corals. They are the corals that match the reef keeper's current equipment, experience, and maintenance habits. A coral that is easy in a stable tank can still fail in an unstable tank.

The Best Beginner Coral Categories

Most beginner corals fall into a few major groups. These include soft corals, mushroom corals, Zoanthids and Palythoa, easier LPS corals, and a few hardy beginner SPS or plating corals for tanks that are already stable. Each group teaches different parts of reef keeping.

The main beginner coral groups are:

• Soft corals: forgiving, colorful, and often good for new reef tanks once stable
• Mushroom corals: excellent lower-light corals with strong color and simple care
• Zoanthids: colorful polyps that can grow well in many mixed reef systems
• Beginner LPS corals: larger fleshy or branching corals that teach alkalinity stability and feeding
• Hardy beginner SPS corals: only for reef keepers with stable lighting, flow, and alkalinity

Here at Extreme Corals, we usually recommend beginners start with soft corals, mushrooms, and Zoanthids first, then move into forgiving LPS corals after the tank has proven stable. SPS corals should usually come later, after the reef keeper understands water testing and stability.

Best Beginner Soft Corals

Soft corals are often the best starting point for new reef keepers because they generally tolerate a wider range of conditions than many stony corals. They do not build hard calcium carbonate skeletons the same way LPS and SPS corals do, so they are usually less demanding on calcium and alkalinity. They still need stability, but they often forgive normal beginner mistakes better than advanced corals.

Popular beginner soft corals include:

• Green Star Polyps
• Clove Polyps
• Leather Corals
• Toadstool Leather Corals
• Kenya Tree Corals
• Sinularia Corals
• Nepthea-style soft corals
• Xenia with caution because it can spread quickly

Soft corals are great for movement, texture, and early reef confidence. They are especially useful in tanks with moderate lighting, moderate nutrients, and less demanding equipment. Browse our soft corals for sale if you are building a beginner-friendly reef tank.

Green Star Polyps for Beginners

Green Star Polyps are one of the most famous beginner corals because they are hardy, colorful, and fast-growing. They create a bright green mat with waving polyps that move beautifully in the flow. When placed correctly, they can turn a plain rock into a living field of movement.

Green Star Polyps usually prefer moderate light and moderate flow. They are forgiving, but they can spread quickly. That growth is one reason beginners love them, but it is also why placement matters. Our practical advice for Green Star Polyps is to place them on an isolated rock, back wall, or separate area where spread can be controlled. Do not place them on the main rock structure unless you are comfortable with them growing across it.

Clove Polyps for Beginners

Clove Polyps can be excellent beginner corals because they add color, movement, and texture without requiring advanced reef conditions. Many types show green, blue, orange, pink, or metallic highlights under reef lighting. They can create a flowing soft coral patch that looks active and alive.

Clove Polyps generally do well in low to moderate light and low to moderate flow. They should not be blasted directly, but they do appreciate enough movement to keep debris away. Like many soft corals, they can spread, so placement should be planned. Here at Extreme Corals, we like Clove Polyps for beginners who want a colorful soft coral that feels more decorative than some faster-growing mat corals.

Leather Corals for Beginner Reef Tanks

Leather Corals are classic beginner-friendly soft corals. They are hardy, adaptable, and available in many shapes, including Toadstool Leathers, Finger Leathers, and Sinularia-style corals. They can become larger centerpiece soft corals over time.

Leather Corals generally prefer moderate lighting and moderate flow. They may close for periods while shedding a waxy layer from their surface. This shedding can be normal, especially when they are adjusting, but good flow helps them clear the surface. Leather Corals need room to grow. A small leather frag can become a large coral, so beginners should avoid placing it where it will shade everything below it later.

Best Beginner Mushroom Corals

Mushroom corals are some of the best beginner corals in the hobby. They often thrive in lower to moderate lighting, tolerate gentler flow, and add intense color to areas of the tank where other corals might struggle. They are also excellent for nano reefs and mixed reef systems.

Beginner-friendly mushroom coral types include:

• Discosoma mushrooms
• Rhodactis mushrooms
• Ricordea mushrooms in stable systems
• Some Bounce Mushrooms once the tank is stable

Mushrooms are not all the same. Discosoma mushrooms are often flatter and very forgiving. Rhodactis mushrooms are thicker, more textured, and can become impressive showpieces. Ricordea mushrooms are colorful and bubbly but may prefer a little more stability than the simplest Discosoma types. Browse our mushroom corals for sale and read our Rhodactis mushroom care guide for more mushroom coral help.

Discosoma Mushrooms for Beginners

Discosoma mushrooms are among the easiest and most forgiving corals for new reef keepers. They often do well in low to moderate light and gentle to moderate flow. They can display red, blue, green, purple, orange, and spotted patterns depending on variety.

Discosoma mushrooms are good beginner corals because they usually do not require intense lighting, heavy dosing, or complex feeding. They often grow well in stable mixed reefs with measurable nutrients. Placement matters because mushrooms can spread over time. If you want control, place them on separate rubble or mushroom islands rather than the main aquascape.

Rhodactis Mushrooms for Beginners

Rhodactis mushrooms are slightly more textured and substantial than many Discosoma mushrooms. They can show bumpy, ridged, or inflated surfaces and often have excellent color under reef lighting. They are still beginner-friendly when placed in the right area.

Rhodactis mushrooms usually prefer low to moderate light and low to moderate indirect flow. Too much direct flow can make them detach. Too much light can make them shrink or fade. They often look best in calmer areas of a mixed reef. Here at Extreme Corals, we think Rhodactis mushrooms are excellent beginner corals for reef keepers who want something colorful, hardy, and more dramatic than a flat mushroom.

Best Beginner Zoanthids and Palythoa

Zoanthids are one of the most popular beginner coral groups because they come in a huge range of colors and can grow into beautiful polyp gardens. Many varieties are hardy, adaptable, and suitable for beginner reef tanks once the system is stable.

Zoanthids usually do well in low to moderate lighting and moderate flow. Some varieties prefer stronger light, while others prefer lower light. The key is to start them in a reasonable area, observe extension, and move slowly if needed.

Beginner Zoanthid care should focus on:

• Stable salinity
• Moderate lighting
• Enough flow to keep debris away
• Protection from algae growing between polyps
• Inspection for pests
• Spacing from aggressive corals

Zoanthids are excellent corals for color variety, but reef keepers should handle them carefully and avoid cutting, boiling, scrubbing, or damaging them without proper knowledge and protection. Browse our Zoanthids for sale and read our Zoanthid care guide.

Best Beginner LPS Corals

LPS corals are large polyp stony corals. They usually have a hard skeleton and fleshy tissue. Some LPS corals are excellent for beginners with stable tanks because they show movement, feeding response, and visible growth without being as demanding as many SPS corals.

Good beginner LPS corals may include:

• Duncan Corals
• Candy Cane Corals
• Blastomussa Corals
• Some Favia and Favites Corals
• Some Acan Lord Corals
• Beginner-friendly Hammer Corals in stable tanks
• Frogspawn Corals in stable tanks

LPS corals are where beginners need to start paying closer attention to alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. They are not as demanding as many SPS corals, but they are stony corals. They grow skeleton, and that requires stable reef chemistry. Browse our LPS corals for sale.

Duncan Corals for Beginners

Duncan Corals are one of our favorite beginner LPS corals because they are hardy, attractive, and responsive. A healthy Duncan opens wide, waves gently in the flow, feeds well, and can grow new heads in stable conditions. It is a great coral for learning LPS care.

Duncans usually prefer moderate light and moderate indirect flow. They should not be blasted directly by a powerhead. They benefit from stable alkalinity and occasional feeding of small meaty foods. Here at Extreme Corals, we think Duncan Corals are one of the best bridge corals between beginner soft corals and more advanced LPS corals. Read our Duncan Coral care guide for full care details.

Candy Cane Corals for Beginners

Candy Cane Corals, also called Caulastrea, are excellent beginner LPS corals for stable tanks. They have individual fleshy heads on branching skeletons and often show green, teal, or striped coloration. They are usually more forgiving than many delicate fleshy LPS corals.

Candy Cane Corals usually prefer moderate lighting and moderate indirect flow. They can be target fed small meaty foods, and they may grow additional heads over time when water chemistry is stable. They are good beginner corals because they teach reef keepers about LPS feeding, head growth, skeleton formation, and spacing without being overly aggressive.

Blastomussa Corals for Beginners

Blastomussa Corals can be excellent beginner-to-intermediate LPS corals. They have fleshy polyps, beautiful colors, and often do well in lower to moderate lighting. They generally prefer gentle to moderate flow and should not be blasted.

Blastomussa Corals can be sensitive to direct flow and harsh lighting, but in the right placement they are often very rewarding. They are good choices for reef keepers who want colorful fleshy LPS corals without jumping straight into harder showpiece corals. For beginners, we recommend placing Blastomussa in a lower to middle reef zone with gentle flow and stable water.

Beginner Hammer and Frogspawn Corals

Hammer Corals and Frogspawn Corals can be good corals for beginners who already have stable tanks and understand LPS spacing. They are beautiful, moving corals that add a lot of life to a reef aquarium. However, they are more demanding than mushrooms, Zoanthids, or many soft corals.

Hammer and Frogspawn Corals usually need moderate light, moderate indirect flow, stable alkalinity, and space from other corals. They can sting nearby corals and may be damaged by direct flow or unstable chemistry. We recommend beginners add these after they have already kept easier corals successfully. Read our Hammer Coral care guide and Euphyllia coral guide.

Should Beginners Keep SPS Corals?

Most beginners should not start with SPS corals as their first coral group. SPS corals generally require stronger lighting, stronger random flow, stable alkalinity, stable nutrients, and more consistent water testing. That does not mean SPS is impossible, but it is usually better added after the tank has matured and the reef keeper has learned stability.

Beginner-friendly SPS options in stable tanks may include:

• Montipora capricornis
• Montipora digitata
• Birdsnest-style corals
• Stylophora in mature stable systems
• Pocillopora with caution because it can spread

Even easy SPS corals need more stable alkalinity than most beginner soft corals. We usually recommend waiting until the tank is at least several months old, parameters are consistent, and the reef keeper is comfortable testing alkalinity. Browse our SPS corals for sale and read our SPS coral care guide before starting SPS.

Best Beginner Corals by Tank Size

Tank size matters because smaller aquariums change faster. A 20-gallon reef can be beautiful, but salinity, temperature, nutrients, and alkalinity can swing much faster than in a larger tank. The best beginner coral choices should match the tank size.

In our experience, a 20 to 75 gallon aquarium is often a good learning range for many reef keepers. Nano tanks are possible, but they demand consistency. Larger tanks are more stable, but they cost more to light, flow, and maintain.

Minimum Tank Requirements for Beginner Corals

Beginner corals still need a real reef environment. They do not need the most expensive equipment in the hobby, but they do need stable saltwater, proper light, flow, filtration, and basic testing.

Minimum beginner reef tank requirements include:

• A fully cycled aquarium with no ammonia
• Stable salinity around 1.024-1.026
• Reliable heater and temperature control
• Reef-appropriate lighting
• Water movement from powerheads or wavemakers
• Filtration appropriate for fish load and feeding
• RO/DI water for top-off and salt mixing
• Basic test kits for salinity, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, calcium, and magnesium as needed

Do not add corals to a tank that is still cycling. If ammonia is present, wait. Corals are living animals, and beginner-friendly does not mean they should be used to test whether a tank is ready.

Best Equipment for Beginner Coral Tanks

Beginner coral tanks do not need to be complicated, but equipment should be reliable. The right equipment makes stability easier. The wrong equipment makes the reef keeper fight the tank every week.

Useful beginner reef equipment includes:

• Quality reef light with controllable intensity
• Reliable heater
• Thermometer or temperature controller
• Powerhead or wavemaker for coral flow
• RO/DI water source or trusted RO/DI water supply
• Refractometer or digital salinity meter
• Basic reef test kits
• Mechanical filtration such as floss, socks, or cups
• Protein skimmer for many medium and larger systems
• Auto top-off system when possible

Here at Extreme Corals, we would rather see a beginner buy stable, reliable equipment than chase every gadget. A simple tank with stable salinity, good light, clean flow, and regular testing will outperform a complicated tank that is not maintained.

Lighting Requirements for Beginner Corals

Most beginner corals do not require extreme lighting. In fact, many beginner corals do better under low to moderate light than under high-intensity SPS lighting. Mushrooms, Zoanthids, Clove Polyps, and many soft corals are often comfortable in lower to moderate PAR zones.

Do not increase light intensity quickly just because a coral is colorful. Many corals bleach or shrink from sudden light increases. Use acclimation mode when changing lights or adding new corals. Read our best reef tank lighting guide.

Water Flow Requirements for Beginner Corals

Water flow helps corals breathe, feed, remove waste, and stay clean. Beginner corals do not all want the same flow. Mushrooms usually want gentler flow. Zoanthids need enough movement to keep debris away. Duncans and many LPS corals want moderate indirect flow. SPS corals need stronger random flow.

General beginner coral flow guidance:

• Mushrooms: low to moderate indirect flow
• Zoanthids: moderate flow that keeps debris away
• Clove Polyps: low to moderate flow
• Leather Corals: moderate flow, especially during shedding
• Duncan Corals: moderate indirect flow
• Candy Cane Corals: moderate indirect flow
• Hammer and Frogspawn Corals: moderate indirect flow, not direct blasting
• Beginner SPS: stronger random flow in stable tanks

The best flow is usually not a hard jet hitting the coral. It is broad, indirect movement that keeps tissue clean and allows natural expansion. Read our water flow and coral health guide.

Water Parameters for Beginner Corals

Beginner corals are forgiving, but they still need stable water. Many new reef keepers lose easy corals because salinity swings, alkalinity moves too much, nutrients go out of balance, or the tank was not fully ready.

Stable salinity and alkalinity are two of the most important numbers for beginners. Nutrients should be measurable but controlled. Zero nitrate and zero phosphate are not always ideal for beginner soft coral, mushroom, Zoanthid, and LPS tanks. Read our reef tank water parameters guide and pH and alkalinity guide.

Do Beginner Corals Need Feeding?

Many beginner corals are photosynthetic and do not require heavy feeding. However, some beginner LPS corals such as Duncans, Candy Canes, and Blastomussa can benefit from occasional small feedings. Mushrooms and Zoanthids may also benefit from nutrient availability and fine suspended foods.

Beginner feeding advice:

• Feed lightly and observe response.
• Do not overfeed just to make corals grow faster.
• Use small foods that corals can actually capture.
• Watch nitrate and phosphate after increasing feeding.
• Remove large rejected foods when possible.
• Let fish feeding support the reef naturally when nutrients are balanced.

In our experience, beginners cause more problems by overfeeding than underfeeding. Feed the tank, test the water, and let coral response guide adjustments.

How to Add Your First Corals

Adding your first corals should be done slowly. Do not buy ten different corals for a new tank in one week. Start with a few hardy pieces, place them correctly, and observe how the tank responds.

A smart first coral plan might look like:

• Start with mushrooms, Zoanthids, or a hardy soft coral.
• Wait and observe for two to four weeks.
• Test salinity, alkalinity, nitrate, and phosphate.
• Add another beginner coral group if the first corals are doing well.
• Move into beginner LPS after stability is proven.
• Wait longer before adding SPS or delicate showpiece LPS corals.

Patience is one of the biggest advantages a beginner can have. A reef tank rewards steady additions and punishes rushing.

Best First Coral List From Extreme Corals

If we were helping a new reef keeper build a beginner coral list, we would usually recommend a mix that provides color, movement, and learning without making the tank too difficult too early.

Our practical beginner coral list would include:

• One colorful mushroom coral for lower light
• One Zoanthid frag for color and polyp growth
• One Clove Polyp or leather coral for movement
• One Duncan Coral after the tank is stable
• One Candy Cane or Blastomussa Coral as a forgiving LPS coral
• One Hammer or Frogspawn Coral later, once LPS care is understood

This type of coral mix teaches the reef keeper how different coral groups respond to light, flow, nutrients, feeding, and placement. It also creates a reef tank that looks colorful without requiring advanced SPS care right away.

Beginner Coral Placement Strategy

Placement is where many beginners make mistakes. The best coral in the world can fail in the wrong spot. Place corals by light, flow, growth habit, aggression, and future size.

Beginner placement rules:

• Place mushrooms lower or in gentler flow zones.
• Place Zoanthids where they get moderate light and enough flow to stay clean.
• Place soft corals where they have room to grow and shed.
• Place LPS corals away from direct powerhead flow.
• Give stinging corals extra space.
• Use isolated rocks for fast-spreading corals.
• Do not move corals every day unless something is clearly wrong.

Corals need time to adjust. A new coral may stay partly closed after shipping or placement. Constantly moving it can make stress worse. Read our coral placement guide before building your coral layout.

Fast-Growing Beginner Corals to Use With Caution

Fast growth can be exciting, but it can also become a problem. Some beginner corals grow so well that they can take over prime rock space if not managed from the beginning.

Use caution with:

• Green Star Polyps
• Xenia
• Some Clove Polyps
• Some Palythoa colonies
• Fast-growing mushrooms
• Kenya Tree Corals in some tanks

These corals can be excellent, but place them with control in mind. Isolated rocks, back walls, separate islands, and removable rubble can help manage growth.

Beginner Corals to Avoid at First

Some corals are beautiful but not ideal for beginners. They may require very stable alkalinity, advanced lighting, specialized feeding, careful pest management, or strong experience with coral stress signs.

Corals beginners should usually avoid at first include:

• Most Acropora
• Delicate wild SPS colonies
• High-end Torch Corals in unstable tanks
• Goniopora before learning stability
• Non-photosynthetic corals
• Freshly cut sensitive LPS frags
• Severely bleached discount corals
• Damaged corals with tissue recession

There is nothing wrong with keeping advanced corals later. The mistake is starting with corals that require advanced stability before the tank or reef keeper is ready.

Beginner Coral Maintenance Routine

Beginner corals do best when the tank has a simple, consistent maintenance routine. You do not need to dose ten products or constantly adjust everything. You need stable care.

A good beginner coral maintenance routine includes:

• Check temperature daily.
• Top off with RO/DI freshwater daily or use an auto top-off system.
• Test salinity weekly.
• Test alkalinity weekly.
• Test nitrate and phosphate weekly or biweekly.
• Perform regular water changes.
• Clean mechanical filtration before it becomes dirty.
• Observe coral extension and color daily.
• Clean pumps and powerheads as needed.

Read our saltwater aquarium maintenance guide and water change guide for more support.

Common Beginner Coral Mistakes

Most beginner coral losses come from avoidable mistakes. The coral may be hardy, but it still needs the basics done correctly.

Common beginner coral mistakes include:

• Adding corals before the tank is fully cycled
• Using untreated tap water
• Letting salinity swing from evaporation
• Buying advanced corals too early
• Placing corals under too much light too fast
• Blasting fleshy corals with direct flow
• Overfeeding and causing nutrient spikes
• Stripping nitrate and phosphate to zero
• Not testing alkalinity
• Moving corals constantly instead of observing carefully
• Placing aggressive corals too close together

Here at Extreme Corals, we think the best beginner reef keepers are not the ones who never make mistakes. They are the ones who learn slowly, observe the tank, and make small corrections before problems get out of control.

Our Beginner Coral Advice at Extreme Corals

Our advice is simple: start with corals that match your current reef tank, not the tank you hope to have a year from now. Build success first. Let your tank prove it can keep salinity, alkalinity, nutrients, light, and flow stable. Then move gradually into more demanding corals.

Our beginner coral rules are:

• Start with hardy soft corals, mushrooms, and Zoanthids.
• Add beginner LPS after stability is proven.
• Wait on SPS until you understand alkalinity and flow.
• Choose corals based on your tank size, lighting, and flow.
• Use isolated rocks for fast spreaders.
• Keep salinity stable.
• Test alkalinity regularly.
• Do not chase perfect numbers.
• Observe coral behavior every day.
• Buy healthy corals that fit your skill level.

A beginner reef tank can still be beautiful. It can be colorful, full of movement, and exciting without being overly complicated. The best beginner coral tank is one that builds confidence and teaches good reef habits.

Related Beginner Coral and Reef Tank Guides

If you are starting a reef tank or choosing your first corals, these related guides and categories can help:

• Coral Care Guide - Learn the foundation of coral care.
• Live Coral Care Guide - Understand coral types, lighting, flow, and placement.
• Reef Tank Water Parameters Guide - Learn what to test and what to dose.
• Best Reef Tank Lighting Guide - Match coral choices to light levels.
• Coral Placement Guide - Plan placement by light, flow, aggression, and growth.
• Duncan Coral Care Guide - Learn care for one of the best beginner LPS corals.
• Rhodactis Mushroom Care Guide - Learn care for colorful beginner mushroom corals.
• Zoanthid Care Guide - Build colorful Zoanthid gardens successfully.

Shop Beginner Corals at Extreme Corals

The best beginner corals are healthy, properly chosen, and matched to the aquarium. Soft corals, mushroom corals, Zoanthids, Duncan Corals, Candy Cane Corals, Blastomussa, and other forgiving LPS corals can help new reef keepers build success while still creating a colorful reef tank.

Browse our new arrival corals, soft corals, mushroom corals, Zoanthids, LPS corals, new coral frags, and Scott's Handpicked Corals at ExtremeCorals.com to choose healthy WYSIWYG corals for your reef aquarium.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beginner Corals

What are the best beginner corals for a reef tank?

The best beginner corals often include mushrooms, Zoanthids, Green Star Polyps, Clove Polyps, leather corals, Duncan Corals, Candy Cane Corals, Blastomussa, and some forgiving LPS corals in stable tanks.

What coral should I add first to a new reef tank?

After the tank is fully cycled and stable, many reef keepers start with a mushroom coral, Zoanthid frag, Clove Polyp, leather coral, or another hardy soft coral before moving into LPS corals.

Can beginners keep LPS corals?

Yes, beginners can keep some LPS corals if the tank is stable. Duncan Corals, Candy Cane Corals, Blastomussa, and some Favia or Acan corals can be good choices after basic stability is proven.

Should beginners keep SPS corals?

Most beginners should wait before keeping SPS corals. Easier SPS like Montipora or Birdsnest can be tried later once lighting, flow, alkalinity, and nutrients are stable.

What tank size is best for beginner corals?

Beginner corals can be kept in nano tanks, but 20 to 75 gallons often gives newer reef keepers more stability and easier spacing. Smaller tanks require more careful salinity and temperature control.

What lighting do beginner corals need?

Most beginner corals need low to moderate reef lighting. Mushrooms and many soft corals prefer lower to moderate light, while beginner LPS usually prefer moderate light.

What flow do beginner corals need?

Most beginner corals need low to moderate indirect flow. Mushrooms prefer gentler flow, Zoanthids need enough flow to stay clean, and beginner LPS corals usually prefer moderate indirect flow.

Do beginner corals need feeding?

Many beginner corals are photosynthetic and do not need heavy feeding. Some beginner LPS corals such as Duncans and Candy Canes benefit from occasional small feedings.

What water parameters do beginner corals need?

Beginner corals usually do well with temperature around 76-80°F, salinity 1.024-1.026, alkalinity 7-10 dKH, calcium 400-450 ppm, magnesium 1250-1350 ppm, and measurable but controlled nitrate and phosphate.

Why are my beginner corals not opening?

Beginner corals may stay closed because of shipping stress, salinity swings, too much light, too much flow, poor water quality, pests, algae irritation, or nearby coral aggression.

About the Author

Scott Shiles is the owner of ExtremeCorals.com, which he has operated for over 25 years and is recognized as one of the early dedicated live coral websites on the internet. A lifelong reef keeper since 1984, Scott has decades of hands-on experience maintaining marine aquariums and previously owned and operated a brick and mortar aquarium retail store for 10 years, including five years alongside Extreme Corals. He holds a degree in Marine Biology and has personally selected and sold hundreds of thousands of live corals. An avid scuba diver who has explored reef systems around the world, Scott shares practical coral care and husbandry knowledge based on real world reef experience.