Introduction to Coral Farming
If you have ever been wowed by the beauty of life under the sea, then growing coral is for you. You can grow your own colorful coral frags in a saltwater reef tank. However, coral is delicate. To grow coral, you need the right conditions.
Getting Started with Coral Farming
Growing corals takes preparation and understanding. As a beginner, you have to choose the ones that need the least effort. Corals can adapt to slight changes.
Tank Setup
- Use salt water.
- Carefully place live rock.
- Proper lighting matters.
Maintaining Good Water
- Mind salinity, nutrients, flow, and movement.
Characteristics of Beginner Corals
- Select hardy, starter corals.
Can You Raise Coral at Home?
Can you raise coral at home? While coral does grow and create new buds in a home aquarium, the process can be lengthy, time-consuming, and it does not always happen. However, you can propagate coral and get it to multiply faster if you play your cards right. First off, if you simply take a fragmented piece of hard coral, you can move it to a different location for growth.
Growing Coral for Profit
Keeping a coral farm for profit may be a rewarding activity. In this article, you will find all you need to know in order to keep your corals attractive for customers.
The Best Way for Coral Growth
Coral polyps need a hard surface to attach to, sunlight, and water with a temperature between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to provide a hard surface is to use live rock or a coral skeleton. You can provide sunlight by placing your coral near the top of your aquarium where it will be exposed to light from your aquarium hood. You can provide the correct water temperature by using a heater and thermometer in your aquarium.
Ensuring Coral Health
Whilst the ocean used to have an average pH level of 8.2, it has decreased in recent years with the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, slowing down coral growth. The ideal pH level in an aquarium can safely fluctuate between 7.8 and 8.4, however, for best results, centralized delivery systems can be used to keep the daytime peak at around 8.5, giving the coral a happy, fast-growing rate. The causes of coral diseases are mostly unknown but may be due to bacteria or invasive pests.
Providing Lighting and Water Movement
To help ensure you have the correct lighting for your coral and to help find the best placement for each coral you can rent a Full Spectrum PAR Meter for a reasonable price. After good lighting, the next requirement to allow your corals to grow is flow. Most aquarists know you need a lot of flow for corals but many underestimate just how crucial flow is to the long-term health of your coral.