Category:Stony Corals

From ReefPedia

Contents 1 Stony Corals 2 Difficulty 3 LPS and SPS 4 Calcium and Alkalinity 5 Stony Coral species

Stony Corals

Stony corals are characterized by having a calcareous skeleton. There are many genera of stony corals, ranging from hardy and easy to keep to demanding and difficult to keep alive in captivity. Some will thrive under low to medium lighting (Tubastrea, Platygyra) while others require high lighting and flow (Pocillopora, Acropora).

Difficulty

Generally speaking, the stony corals are more difficult to keep and more demanding of water quality, especially chemistry, than the soft coral. Although, as with any subject in reefkeeping, exceptions exist.

LPS and SPS

Stony corals are often categorizedusing the terms "SPS" and "LPS." In fact, these generalizations are manufactured and do not have a real bearing on the specific corals in question. SPS corals are generalized as requiring high lighting and flow and being delicate, but exceptions include Montipora and Porites.

Meanwhile, the so-called "LPS Corals" are considered hardier and less demanding of light. Generally speaking, the reef aquarium hobbyist is better off considering the classification Stony Corals as encompassing all of these, and furnishing the requirements of individual species or genera.

Calcium and Alkalinity

Stony corals require appropriate levels of calcium and alkalinity in the water, and also remove these from the water, in order to grow and build their calcareous skeletons. Furthermore, Magnesium has an effect on these levels in the water and may need to be monitored and adjusted accordingly.

Methods of controlling calcium and alkalinity levels include:

• Two-part supplements: These are easy to use and convenient, but may be quite expensive long-term in larger tanks.
• Kalkwasser: An excellent solution, though it requires more work from the reef aquarist.
• Calcium Reactors: Expensive and potentially difficult to dial in. If misused they may also lead to tank crashes. However, when used properly, CA reactors add a level of stability and control not possible with the other methods.

Stony Coral species

See the subcategories and articles below.

Subcategories

There are 10 subcategories to this category.

A Acroporidae Agariciidae D Dendrophylliidae

F Faviidae Fungiidae M Mussidae O Oculinidae

P Pectiniidae Poritidae T Trachyphylliidae

Articles in category "Stony Corals"

There are 27 articles in this category.

A Acropora Alveopora B Blastomussa Blastomussa wellsi D Diploastrea E Echinophyllia Echinopora Euphyllia Euphyllia divisa

E cont. Euphyllia glabrescens F Fungia G Galaxea Goniopora L Lobophyllia M Merulinidae Micromussa Montipora Mycedium N Nemenzophyllia

O Oxypora P Pachyseris Pavona Plerogyra Pocilloporidae Poritidae T Trachyphyllia Tubastrea