The Top 5 Mistakes When Adding New Corals
- Nov 10, 2024
- Anshika Mishra
- 40 0 0
In this article we are sharing the top 5 mistakes that people make when adding new corals to their tanks.
Impulse Purchase
We have all done it. We go somewhere to see a beautiful coral, and you must have it. It doesn't matter where it's coming from or what it is you.
However, there are a lot of things you should take into consideration before you take it home. One of the main concerns is space. Some corals spread out. You must realize how much flow, light, and water parameters they need. Plus, you have to know if it's healthy.
So, ensure you know what they need before buying the corals. Temper those emotions, those desires to have corals. When you look around at other tanks in the store, make sure what you are looking at and how you know how they treat their aquariums.
Ignoring Your Quarantine Period
There are a lot of different ways you can quarantine a coral. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to set up a quarantine tank and watch it or even add chemicals for 20 to 60 days.
Sometimes, it's even as simple as dipping the coral in some coral dip using a filter; following the instructions is a great way to quarantine your corals before adding them.
Cut off frag plugs of it's mounted on a coral. Ensure you do everything possible to avoid those pests in your tank.
Incompatibility
Know your tank; know what's in there and what can and cannot be added. Things like sweeper tentacles will take up much more space than anticipated. So, knowing whether the coral has sweeper tentacles or not is going to be an excellent point to look at.
A few other things are the fish. There are lots of fishes out there that are very particular about the kind of corals they eat. If you have Gorilla crabs in your tanks, they will harass and bother your new corals.
Mounting a Coral in the Wrong Spot
There are lots of factors that come into play during placement. You have to account for the needs of the coral. If you place an LPS coral before your power head, you'll probably kill it.
So, take that into account. Know the needs of the coral to ensure you have the aquarium set up and place them in the right spot.
Some corals grow fast, so you have to isolate them to the side of the tank or not put them where you have your prized corals because they'll quickly overrun them. The same applies to lighting and flow. Then, coral aggression should also be taken into account.
Getting in Over Your Head
Sometimes, it's straightforward. When you have that new tank or are ready to move up to that new level - it's easy to jump into that a little too early. Your tank may be too new and not ready for it. You are picking the wrong coral for what you have got.
Take a step back. Ensure you've got what you need and have all the information you need. Go into it informed, start small, and make sure it works. And if it doesn't, give it time. Let the system recover before adding something else, and learn from your mistakes.
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