If you want to add live coral to your aquarium, you have a world of beauty and exotic mystery to look forward to in your oceanic environment. Many people think that underwater coral reef species are hard to care for, but they are actually quite easy to care for once you know what you're doing. If you purchase your coral reefs from reputable dealers, you can be sure that they will offer a life of exquisite beauty to your aquarium environment. Some of the easiest live coral varieties to care for are the soft corals, which have no hard skeleton and are extremely hardy. Large polyp stony corals are a type of underwater coral reef that is considered to be the "middle of the road" in terms of care and maintenance difficulty. These coral reefs are extremely colorful, add a lot of movement to the tank, and are pretty hardy.
This type of live coral does require a wide range of lighting and water flow, however, so it's important to get some good advice before making any purchases. Stony corals are the brightest and most colorful coral reefs that you could acquire, ranging from bright pink to deep blue. Along with the beauty of this live coral comes increased care levels, however, since they require perfect water conditions, high calcium levels and expensive bright metal halide lighting. These coral reefs should be left to more advanced reef keepers with a few years of experience under their belt. Live coral might seem too exotic and difficult to care for, but they are actually some of the most enjoyable and easy aquarium inhabitants to care for. And there is nothing comparable to the beauty that they add, especially when they are accompanied by a family of healthy fish swimming throughout the aquarium waters.
