Coral Tank Setup Guide: Equipment & Aquascaping

Setting up a coral tank successfully depends on proper equipment selection and tank cycling. Careful initial planning will result in a beautiful, long-term stable reef tank.

Required Equipment List

The minimum equipment needed for a coral tank:

• Tank: 60cm or larger is recommended for coral keeping; deeper tanks make light adjustment easier
• Filter (sump/canister filter): Biological filtration capacity is critical
• Protein skimmer: Removes organic compounds via foam fractionation; choose one rated above your tank volume
• Lighting: LED or T5 capable of delivering appropriate PAR values for your coral types
• Flow pump (wavemaker): Essential for oxygen delivery and food distribution to corals
• Heater/chiller: Maintain stable temperature around 26C
• Hydrometer/refractometer: Accurately manage specific gravity at 1.025
• Test kits: For ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, Ca, KH, and Mg

Tank Cycling (Startup)

This process establishes biological filtration bacteria. It must be completed before adding corals.

1. Set up saltwater, sand, and live rock, then start equipment
2. Add an ammonia source (liquid ammonia or a few fish)
3. Test water quality daily and confirm the progression: ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate
4. Cycling is complete when ammonia and nitrite reach zero (typically 4-8 weeks)

Choosing and Arranging Live Rock

Live rock serves as the foundation for beneficial bacteria.

• Aim for about 10-15% of total tank volume
• Arrange in arch or tunnel shapes to ensure water flow
• Place corals on frag plugs or racks, minimizing direct placement on live rock

Flow Design

Corals need complex, multi-directional water flow.

• Avoid dead spots (areas with stagnant water)
• Don't direct strong continuous flow at corals
• Wave pumps with random mode are convenient

Layout Tips

• SPS in the back, LPS in the midground, soft corals in the foreground and low-light areas is the standard arrangement
• Avoid coral-to-coral contact (they can sting each other)
• Leave generous spacing initially to accommodate growth

Find Corals on Bri-Choku

In the Coral category, you'll find corals of all sizes from small frags to large colonies. Consider starting with easy-to-grow soft corals as your first addition after cycling your tank.