What does it take to have corals in my tank?

[fleek]

I am struggling to keep fish alive, what does it take to keep corals?

[Gouldian]

If you are struggling to keep fishes alive you will have even more problem with coral.

Corals have a even lower tolerance compared to fishes. This means that, a slight sway of water parameters may crash your tank.

Herewith are some equipment upgrade inevitable when you intend to add corals to a fish only set-up:

1) Lights - Most corals we keep are photosynthetic corals needing high powered lightings in order to keep them alive

2) Chiller - You will need to keep tank temperature 28 degree or below and this cannot be achieve with just fans as the average room temperature is more that 29 degree without taking into considerations the heat generated by your pumps and lightings

3) Wave-maker - A decent wave-maker or 2 to create the random flow that coral requires in order for their polyps to extend and to remove bacteria slime and coat

4) Skimmer - Better skimmer to remove nutrients and reduce the spike of phosphate and nitrate which is acceptable in fish only systems

5) Additives - Maintain constant parameters Ca, KH, pH, Mg, Phospate etc through additives medias and even equipment

I am not trying to discourage you from keeping corals but hope you will take a well-informed prudent approach.

Hope that helps....

[iskay]

If you are struggling to keep fishes alive you will have even more problem with coral.

Corals have a even lower tolerance compared to fishes. This means that, a slight sway of water parameters may crash your tank.

Herewith are some equipment upgrade inevitable when you intend to add corals to a fish only set-up:

1) Lights - Most corals we keep are photosynthetic corals needing high powered lightings in order to keep them alive

2) Chiller - You will need to keep tank temperature 28 degree or below and this cannot be achieve with just fans as the average room temperature is more that 29 degree without taking into considerations the heat generated by your pumps and lightings

3) Wave-maker - A decent wave-maker or 2 to create the random flow that coral requires in order for their polyps to extend and to remove bacteria slime and coat

4) Skimmer - Better skimmer to remove nutrients and reduce the spike of phosphate and nitrate which is acceptable in fish only systems

5) Additives - Maintain constant parameters Ca, KH, pH, Mg, Phospate etc through additives medias and even equipment

I am not trying to discourage you from keeping corals but hope you will take a well-informed prudent approach.

Hope that helps....

Well Said.