Corals in a saltwater reef tank are not only beautiful, but they require minimal work to look that way. Having the proper information to keep the coral, fish, and tank healthy is ideal before purchasing and setting up this type of tank.
There are not only food items you can add to the tank, but supplements that keep the fish and coral as healthy as can be. Having information about these products helps to keep the tank lasting for years to come, and also looking it’s best, which is why anyone would want to bring a part of the coral reef to their home.
Corals Were Once Hard to Keep in Aquarium Systems
The water quality was once not able to allow corals to live within them. This is because of the acidic levels, the nitrates, and phosphates that were too much for the coral to deal with. Due to this, it is important to note that taking care of the water is one of the biggest tasks that you have to keep level at all times. The lighting that is being used inside these aquariums has also improved, helping the health of the water and the coral living within it.
Feeding Your Coral in the Tank
Coral eat in different ways depending on their original habitat in the wild and their specific coral genetics. They usually feed off of the lighting, as well as the nutrients you place in the water. They use:
Zooxanthellae Algae
This alga naturally happens in the tank, but sometimes even using a bit of marine phytoplankton can help to provide the nutrients that these corals need to thrive within this contained environment.
This is also what keeps the coral looking bright and healthy. This is why these algae are so important for the tank and the coral living in it.
Direct Feeding
Some coral, such as Plate Corals or Elegance Corals need larger prey to eat within the water. This is usually frozen phytoplankton or plankton that can be added to the water and the coral would hunt and then eat the prey.
Freeze-dried phytoplankton can also provide nutrients, but generally, the corals prefer them to be whole and frozen, so this might be a supplemental option for those who want to give their tank more nutrients.
Indirect Feeding
Bacteria, algae, and leftover food that fish do not eat are consumed by the coral usually. This offers additional nutrients to them that they may not be getting from the other food sources that are being offered. Providing the water with a nutrient-rich base can also help the coral maintain strong, healthy and vibrant.
Your coral reef tank can be beautiful, but you have to ensure that you’re keeping up on it and providing the many things that it might need to survive, including food and supplements to keep it healthy and thriving. Always purchase quality products for your tanks from a reputable seller, because what you feed your tank is just as important as what you feed yourself.
