Aquarium Coral: A Guide to Stunning Coral Reef Displays

Welcome to our guide on creating captivating coral reef displays in your aquarium. Coral not only adds aesthetic appeal but also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem within your tank.

**Table of Contents:**
1. **Types of Aquarium Coral:**
- Soft Corals: Explore the diverse range of soft corals, known for their vibrant colors and gentle swaying movements.
- LPS Corals (Large Polyp Stony): Discover the stunning world of large polyp stony corals, known for their intricate structures and fascinating textures.
- SPS Corals (Small Polyp Stony): Dive into the realm of small polyp stony corals, renowned for their intricate growth patterns and vibrant hues.

2. **Setting Up Your Coral Aquarium:**
- Tank Size and Configuration: Learn how to choose the right tank size and layout to provide ample space for your coral to thrive.
- Lighting Requirements: Understand the importance of appropriate lighting for different coral types and how it influences their growth.
- Water Parameters: Explore the ideal water parameters necessary to maintain a stable and healthy coral environment.

3. **Choosing and Acquiring Coral:**
- Sustainable Sourcing: Discover ethical practices for acquiring coral specimens and contributing to coral conservation efforts.
- Quarantine Procedures: Learn about the importance of quarantining new coral additions to prevent introducing potential threats to your aquarium.

4. **Placing and Arranging Coral:**
- Creating Natural-Looking Structures: Gain insights into arranging coral formations that mimic the beauty of coral reefs in the wild.
- Providing Adequate Space: Understand the importance of proper spacing to prevent overcrowding and competition among corals.

5. **Coral Care and Maintenance:**
- Feeding Coral: Learn about the various feeding strategies for different coral types, including target feeding and photosynthesis.
- Water Flow and Circulation: Explore the role of water movement in maintaining healthy corals and preventing detritus buildup.
- Monitoring Water Quality: Understand the significance of regular water testing and maintenance to ensure optimal conditions for your coral.

6. **Common Coral Health Issues:**
- Coral Bleaching: Discover the causes of coral bleaching and proactive measures you can take to safeguard your coral from this phenomenon.
- Pests and Diseases: Learn to identify common coral pests and diseases and how to address them effectively.

7. **Coral Propagation and Fragging:**
- Techniques for Propagation: Delve into coral propagation methods such as fragmentation and budding to expand your coral collection.
- Fragging Safety Tips: Understand the safety precautions to follow when engaging in coral fragging.

8. **Showcasing Your Coral Reef:**
- Aquascaping Tips: Get creative with aquascaping techniques to create a visually appealing and natural-looking coral reef display.
- Photography and Lighting Techniques: Capture the beauty of your coral reef through photography tips and optimal lighting strategies.

9. **Resources and References:**
- Recommended Equipment: Find links to essential equipment for successful coral reef aquariums.
- Further Reading and Online Communities: Explore additional resources and connect with fellow aquarium enthusiasts in online communities.


Please note: This page is currently under construction. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

FAQ

When will my order ship?

We ship orders out each Monday and Tuesday. Cut off time are Midnight Sunday or Monday. We may postpone shipments to the following week if we are advised by our shipping partner of delays or on public holidays. Information regarding tracking will be emailed once your order has shipped.

Is it possible to collect my order in person?

Customers have the option of picking up their orders locally by selecting the local pickup option during checkout. Upon placing an order, we will reach out to you within 24 hours to schedule a collection time. The pickup location is situated in Kingsgrove NSW.

Collections Times:

Weekdays - 9am - 2pm

Weekends - 9am -12pm

If required, we can arrange for collections outside of the above times as well.

In the event that my corals arrive deceased, what is the course of action?

To be eligible for our Arrive Alive Guarantee, it is necessary to send us well-defined pictures of the coral in its shipping container, within 2 hours of Star Track delivery time, via email at info@zeoboxreef.com.au.

For further information regarding the Arrive Alive Guarantee policy and claims process, kindly refer to our Arrive Alive Guarantee page.

With which courier company will my order be shipped?

We use Star Track Premium Express Freight to ship all of our orders as we have found them to be the most dependable door-to-door courier service accessible. We assess their performance every month to ensure the swiftest delivery service at a sensible cost. Additionally, we provide same-day airport-to-airport shipping, more details can be found on our Airport to Airport shipping page.

I am worried about introducing parasites into my aquarium, what do you do to minimise risk?

We totally understand your concern! Pests and parasites are a common worry in reef keeping, but it's also part of the hobby—managing them is something every reef keeper faces at some point. At Zeo Box Reef, we take extra care to minimise any risks.Every coral we get in is carefully inspected and dipped before it even enters our systems. After that, we monitor them for about 2-4 weeks, checking their health, vitality, and colour to ensure they’re thriving. Only after we're confident in their condition do we offer them for sale.

We also don’t sell marine fish, which helps prevent any fish-related parasites from entering our systems. The few fish we do have have been with us for years, and they’re completely pest-free.

That said, while we inspect each coral before shipping, we can’t fully guarantee that every single pest is eliminated—especially since we do work with wild-collected corals. That’s why we always recommend dipping any new corals before adding them to your tank, just as an extra precaution. It's part of the reef-keeping experience, and being proactive helps keep your tank healthy in the long run!

Do I have to be present at home to receive my order?

No, it is not necessary to be present as all orders are marked with an "Authority to leave" notice. If a secure and safe location is not available on your property and the order cannot be left at your doorstep, such as in the case of apartment buildings, we suggest having your order delivered to your workplace.

Can I expect the coral I see online to match what I receive in my order?

Shopping for live coral for sale online can be a source of worry for reef hobbyists, who can never be entirely sure what will arrive in the mail. Will it resemble the coral they saw online? While there is no substitute for an in-person viewing of the coral, we offer What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) corals to alleviate concerns. Our WYSIWYG corals allow you to preview the actual coral fragment or colony before making a purchase. We take pride in photographing all our corals under Ecotech Radion G5 LED Light fixtures. We use professional-grade Full Frame DSLR cameras and lenses to capture the highest quality representation of the coral. We also provide multiple photos of the coral under different light spectrums, including full spectrum (white light) and heavy blue spectrum. We also offer size approximations for every coral in centimeters. This measurement is taken when the coral is fully expanded, providing you with a better understanding of the amount of space the coral will occupy in your aquarium.

What are the shipping costs?

  • Star Track Premium shipping service offers different rates based on the order amount.

  • Orders under $249 have a shipping cost of $45.
  • Orders $249 - $499 have a shipping cost of $29.
  • Orders $500 and over are shipped for free.

  • Same-day airport to airport shipping starts from $65. Lean more

How will my order be packaged?

Zeo Box Reef Aquaculture prides itself on being a leader in the industry for packaging and shipping corals. We have a meticulous approach to packaging methods to ensure that your order arrives in optimal condition. Our team carefully hand-picks and packs each order with great care. Coral fragments are placed in specially designed containers and secured using chemically inert foam floats. For larger corals, we use a double-bagging method and add activated carbon to achieve optimal water quality during shipping. To maintain the ideal temperature conditions during transit, we use thick-walled styrofoam boxes with heat/cold packs as needed. Our shipping options include door to door Star Track Premium freight or same day Airport-to-Airport delivery. Both options are fast and secure.