Free reef tank tool
Coral Care Requirements Lookup
Search a coral and get practical reef tank care requirements, including light, flow, placement, spacing, feeding, difficulty and common warning signs.
Care lookup
Search coral care requirements
Pick a coral to see typical starting ranges. Requirements vary by species, variety, tank history and acclimation.
Common mixed reef reference ranges
These are common mixed reef reference ranges, not exact targets for every tank. Stability is usually more important than chasing a single number. Do not use this lookup for dosing instructions.
- Temperature
- 76-80°F / 24-27°C
- Salinity
- around 1.025-1.026 SG / 34-35 ppt
- Alkalinity
- around 7-11 dKH
- Calcium
- around 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium
- around 1250-1400 ppm
- Nitrate
- low but detectable for many mixed reefs
- Phosphate
- low but detectable for many mixed reefs
Cautious use
This lookup provides typical starting ranges. Verify with trusted reef references, test parameters, make gradual changes, and observe the coral before changing light, flow, or placement again.
How the Coral Care Requirements Lookup Works
This lookup answers a broad care question: what does this coral generally need to do well in a reef tank? It is different from a single-purpose PAR, flow, spacing, placement, or compatibility calculator. Each profile combines typical light, PAR, flow, placement, aggression, feeding, growth behavior, tank maturity, and stability needs into one practical care card.
The optional setup fit check compares your planned spot with the selected coral profile. It weighs light, flow, tank readiness, placement, spacing, and maintenance fit. The result is an educational risk check, not a guarantee. Requirements vary by species, variety, tank history, acclimation, and coral condition.
Soft Coral, LPS and SPS Care Requirements
Soft corals are often more forgiving, but some spread quickly or irritate neighbors. LPS corals often need moderate light, indirect flow, stable conditions, and extra spacing because many can sting. SPS corals usually need stronger light, stronger random flow, and more stable parameters, especially for Acropora.
Beginner coral care still depends on identification. A mushroom coral and a torch coral may both look approachable in a store, but their flow, spacing, aggression, and stability needs are very different. When the ID is uncertain, start conservatively and verify before changing light, flow, or placement.
When Coral ID Is Uncertain
Coral Identifier gives likely coral matches from photos. It does not provide guaranteed identification, and this care lookup does not provide guaranteed health outcomes. Use the app as a first pass, compare the likely matches, verify with trusted reef references, and observe the coral before making major husbandry changes.
FAQ
Use these answers as cautious starting points. Coral ID verification, stable parameters, and direct observation still matter.
What coral care requirements can I look up here?
The lookup covers common soft corals, LPS, and SPS, including torch coral, hammer coral, frogspawn, Goniopora, Zoanthids, mushrooms, Acropora, Montipora, and Birdsnest. Each profile gives typical starting guidance for light, PAR, flow, placement, spacing, feeding, difficulty, and warning signs.
Are these coral care requirements exact?
No. They are typical starting ranges, not universal requirements. Coral response varies by species, variety, source, tank history, acclimation, nutrients, flow pattern, lighting spectrum, and overall stability.
What if I do not know what coral I have?
Choose Unknown / Not sure and use conservative guidance: moderate light, indirect flow, extra spacing, and careful observation. Coral Identifier can scan a photo and provide likely matches, then you should verify with trusted reef references before making major care changes.
What are beginner-friendly corals?
Many mushrooms, Zoanthids, Green Star Polyps, leathers, Duncan coral, Candy Cane coral, and Acan / Micromussa can be more approachable in stable tanks. Fast-growing beginner corals can still need growth control and spacing.
Why does the lookup ask about tank age and stability?
Some corals tolerate normal beginner variation better than others. Many LPS and especially SPS usually do better after the tank has matured and parameters are stable, so the optional setup fit check weighs maturity and stability heavily.
Can this lookup diagnose coral stress?
No. Stress signs can point to possible problems, but this page does not provide a definitive diagnosis. Check coral ID, light, flow, parameters, pests, neighbor aggression, and recent changes before deciding what to adjust.
Should I dose based on the parameter ranges here?
No. The parameter section is educational reference context only. Test carefully, make gradual changes, and use trusted reef references or experienced help before dosing.
Related tools
Related coral guides
Coral Identifier
Scan first when the coral ID is uncertain.
Use Coral Identifier to get likely coral matches from photos, then verify with trusted reef references before changing care.