Nano CoralsSmall Gems Do Come in Small Packages What is a reef nano aquarium?
The most important fact to keep in mind with nano tanks is that they are more susceptible to changes in water quality due to their smaller water volume. More frequent water changes may be needed to keep parameters consistent. Due to this reason, a reef nano tank is more suited to an experienced hobbyist. What are the advantages of reef nano tanks over larger ones?
Strictly due to their smaller size, nano reef aquariums can be less expensive to maintain than larger ones. They can also be placed around the home or business in areas not possible with larger aquariums. Feeding and maintenance of nano aquariums can be less expensive to operate than larger ones because there are smaller amounts of salt, food, and supplies that are required. Aquarists should keep in mind the limitations of smaller aquariums and be sure not to overcrowd it with equipment or aquatic life. It should include appropriate lighting, efficient filtration, live rock, and sand. Though nano aquariums are small, their care level can be significant because differences in water parameters are realized immediately by tank inhabitants. For this reason, they benefit from good filtration. What are good characteristics for nano corals to have?
There are multiple factors to consider when selecting corals for nano aquariums. Their size, growth rate, aggressiveness, hardiness, and ability to survive small fluctuations in water temperatures and chemistry should be paramount. What are the best corals for nano aquariums?
For this article, we will spotlight nano coral recommendations from LiveAquaria®. With our seal of approval, aquarists can trust the coral frag received has been fully inspected for premium health, coloration, and form by our in-house experts. Because we propagate only choice coral specimens demonstrating remarkable color & hardiness as the parent stock, we are confident that our frags will maintain their unique vigor once acclimated to home reef aquariums and maintained in the proper water and lighting conditions. All of our Certified Captive Grown Corals (CCGC) are fully encrusted onto their plugs and are fully adjusted to artificial lighting and synthetic seawater. In addition, LiveAquaria® CCGCs are aquacultured corals that are propagated, raised, and inspected at our LiveAquaria® Coral Farm & Aquatic Life Facility in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, the largest retail aquacultured coral facility in the country. Each CCGC arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity and a 30 Day Arrive Alive, Stay Alive®, Risk-Free Guarantee. 
LiveAquaria® CCGC Aquacultured Purple Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral Blastomussa wellsi The Aquacultured Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral that will form round, swollen discs as it grows. It has extraordinarily large polyps and grows in fused, tubular clusters. It has a unique purple coloration that surrounds each polyp's vibrant green center. This beautiful coral will create a visual appeal in any home aquarium. Once established, the Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral is moderately hardy, especially in an established reef aquarium. It does best in areas with low water flow and moderate light levels. It has no sweeper tentacles and is generally peaceful. Therefore, it may be placed near other peaceful corals or invertebrates. Most of the Blastomussa's nutritional requirements are met through photosynthesis via the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae that thrive in the coral's body, so it does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium. However, it will feed on micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. This coral also benefits from the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water column. 
LiveAquaria® CCGC Aquacultured Neon Pineapple Tree Coral Capnella sp. The Neon Pineapple Tree Coral has a thick trunk and many short, thick branches giving it an arboreal appearance. When the polyps are contracted, the surface of the coral resembles a pinecone or pineapple. The parent colony of these coral frags was originally collected in the Soloman Islands. It is not normally considered a threat to hard corals since it does not expand much but may itself be disturbed by their presence. The Neon Pineapple Tree Coral relies less on the symbiotic algae within it and depends more on obtaining outside food. Microplankton, marine snow, and dissolved materials should make up the bulk of its diet. It requires moderate to high lighting, a medium to strong water flow and water supplements of strontium, iodine, and trace elements. 
LiveAquaria® CCGC Aquacultured Red Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral Blastomussa wellsi The Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral that will form round, swollen discs when it grows. An Australian beauty that has extraordinarily large polyps, it grows in fused, tubular clusters. It has a unique red coloration that surrounds each polyp's vibrant green center and will create a visual appeal in any home aquarium. Once established, the Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral is moderately hardy, especially in an established reef aquarium. It does best in areas with low water flow and moderate light levels. It has no sweeper tentacles and is generally peaceful. Therefore, it may be placed near other peaceful corals or invertebrates. Most of the Blastomussa's nutritional requirements are met through photosynthesis via the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae that thrive in the coral's body. It does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium; however, it will feed on micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. This coral also benefits from the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water column. What’s the best lighting for corals?
The need for lighting in reef tanks is indisputable. Aquarists use lighting to bring out the striking and intense coloration of corals. But, in addition to purely cosmetic or visual appeal, adequate lighting helps the zooxanthellae found in coral tissues to photosynthesize. Photosynthesis is necessary to convert the chlorophyll in zooxanthellae to produce simple sugars that corals use as energy. Zooxanthellae also output oxygen, which benefits corals. What’s the best lighting to highlight my corals?
An understanding of light spectrum will aid aquarists in selecting the best lighting for their coral setup. Spectrum is the measurement of colors of light in wavelengths. When keeping corals, the lighting used must emit sufficient spectrum to support photosynthesis. Light spectrum refers to the way in which lighting penetrates water. At higher water levels, red light is the first to be filtered out, then orange and yellow. Lastly, blue light is filtered out. This is the reason that many aquarists (including those at the LiveAquaria® Coral Farm) use blue lighting for coral aquariums, unless a specific coral species has a different requirement. What is the best lighting for photographing or videotaping my corals?
For photographing or videotaping corals, a combination of lighting may be required. LED lights may illuminate the corals but cast shadows, so T5 Fluorescent lights may be a good supplementary source of lighting in those areas. Understanding Coral Light Acclimation
Acclimation of corals should occur slowly. Aquarists should start with low lighting and increase intensity gradually. For helpful information on the subject, refer to our article “Acclimating your Corals to LED Lights”. Too much light can cause corals to bleach out and too little light that doesn’t allow photosynthesis can cause zooxanthellae to multiply and give corals a brown or pale appearance. Keeping a nano reef aquarium is a worthwhile experience for aquarists. With some time upfront spent on researching coral species and the requirements needed to keep them healthy and displayed beautifully will be their reward. Related Articles
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