Reef Care A Beginner’s Guide

Here they are, coral facts: corals are fascinating marine organism that form very complex and large colonies. But corals (and most reef building animals) are actually animals, albeit ones with a very unusual symbiotic relationship with tiny algae, called zooxanthellae, that live inside their tissues. The corals are allowed to do photosynthesis by this relationship, turning ambient sunlight into energy. But corals are important because they provide a great deal of shelter and sustenance to many marine species. Coral reefs are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the Earth, and they are considered the building blocks of coral reefs.

Coral reefs are also natural barriers as they protect coastal areas from these waves and storms as well as erosion. They become endangered due to climate change, ocean acidification, and human activities, all the last. Strategies such as sustainable reef conservation methods would include coral farming and good reef-keeping practice, which together will go a long way in protecting the structures. Here at Coral Cavern, we absolutely love harmonizing coral maintainance with aquarists to build beautiful reef aquariums that are as close to natural conditions as possible. Learn and love corals, actively playing your part in conserving these incredible underwater worlds.

A Colorful Addition

The button scoly is a very popular coral for people’s homes because of it’s colorful look.They are LPS (Large Polyp Stony) coral meaning they have larger polyps than other coral species. They are well known for the button look they have in forming their corals, it will make a very nice, unique looking coral in any tank. Scolys have many colors: red, green, purple, yellow, and all combinations in between make them standouts among reef tanks. They are like other corals, and need the proper water conditions, lighting and food to thrive.

Caring for Scoly

These are relatively but need special care in order to do well in any aquarium. They must be given proper water flow, lighting, and a proper diet. Feeding scolys is simple and they rely primarily on photosynthesis, supplemented with coral food, brine shrimp and plankton if you choose to feed them.

Moderate water flow is vital to keeping scolys healthy. Strong water currents can tear delicate tissue, whereas too slow water flow will allow debris and waste to collect upon them, causing them stress or even infection. Low-to-moderate flow habitats maintain a clean environment and provide oxygen for the health of scolys. Arrowing scoly puts LED or T5 lights on medium to low intensity. Bright light can bleach them, so to keep the rich colors, shade or middle levels are recommended. Maintenance of scolys is easy since they mainly depend on photosynthesis through their associated zooxanthellae.

Nevertheless, feed them occasionally with coral food, brine shrimp, or plankton for better growth and coloration. Target feeding every other week or so with meaty foods like mysis shrimp will also guarantee some extra nutrition. Make sure to measure and keep up the levels of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium for their skeletons. With stable environmental conditions and care, global parameters will circumscribe the long-term survival of scolys that usher in an even more beautiful living masterpiece to your reef aquarium. 

Understanding Their Needs

Before we can become successful reef keepers there is one thing we must first know: what are corals? And how do they work? C.C.

The claims very often made by the people about the corals are very well known to them as underwater plants or rocks of different colors, but in actuality, corals are animals belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, with jellyfish and sea anemones as its closest kin. These animals have become colonies of small organisms known as polyps which secrete calcium carbonate to make up hard, reef-like structures as today. It develops a very interesting kind of mutual symbiosis with minute sea algae known as zooxanthellae, which are residents in the soft tissues of corals. The algae perform photosynthesis as nutrients for the coral and receive shelter provided by the coral and light.

The classification of corals could usually run this way:
Coral in Hardness, Scleractinia: those corals are reef builders or those which build the skeletal structures of coral reefs which incorporate the montipora and brain corals.

Soft Corals (Alcyonacea): these corals do not produce calcium carbonate skeletons like hard corals; hence, these corals are much more flexible with swaying movement, like leather corals, zoanthids, and mushroom corals. Water parameters must be constant; it should receive sunlight; it should not lack a good motion in moving water for optimum growth-there is therefore a very fine line to maintaining water, and even reef aquarium parameters, limits; calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity levels must be monitored for the boost of the coral. What has been worth studying in corals and all that goes into the production of a reef will enable reef keepers to create a sound marine habitat for them that they can enjoy watching as they develop their habitat into a sustainable underwater ecosystem.