Feeding your reef is about more than just lighting and water chemistry. While calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium form the skeletal foundation of coral growth, organic nutrition fuels their metabolic activity, tissue development, and coloration.
Red Sea’s Coral Nutrition A & B supplements deliver a carefully balanced blend of essential amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and vitamins designed to mimic natural reef conditions—and support robust coral health even in nutrient-poor systems.
Whether you’re running an ultra-low nutrient system (ULNS) or just starting out in coral care, this guide will walk you through the importance of coral feeding, how Coral Nutrition A & B works, and how to use it safely in your reef tank.
Why Coral Nutrition Matters in Modern Reef Aquariums
Corals are often thought of as purely photosynthetic organisms, but this isn’t entirely accurate. While zooxanthellae algae inside corals provide energy through photosynthesis, corals also rely on heterotrophic feeding, absorbing organic particles and dissolved nutrients from the water.
In many modern reef tanks—especially ULNS setups with aggressive protein skimming and phosphate control—nutrient levels drop too low, depriving corals of essential nutrition. This can lead to pale colouration, tissue thinning, and reduced growth, even if lighting and parameters appear perfect.
What’s Inside Coral Nutrition A & B?
Red Sea divides its organic coral food into two complementary supplements:
Coral Nutrition A
Contains energy-rich carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids, fueling metabolic activity and tissue repair. It also stimulates polyp extension and feeding response.
Coral Nutrition B
Delivers vitamins that support enzyme production and biological functions. B vitamins in particular, help corals assimilate nutrients and strengthen their immune response.
Together, A & B simulate the dissolved organic matter (DOM) and particulate organic matter (POM) found in wild reef environments, without elevating unwanted nitrates or phosphates when dosed properly.
How to Dose Coral Nutrition A & B
Dosing is simple and scalable to your system:
-
Start with Red Sea’s recommended dose based on your tank volume. For mixed reefs, this is typically:
1 ml of Coral Nutrition A & B per 100 litres, once daily.
-
Dose into a high-flow area, such as the return chamber or display tank for maximum distribution.
-
Monitor coral response over 2–3 weeks. Look for increased polyp extension, deeper colouration, and improved growth.
-
Adjust dosage if needed for high-demand systems or based on coral load.
For best results, turn off protein skimmers for 30–60 minutes after dosing to allow full absorption.
Visible Benefits of Regular Feeding
Using Coral Nutrition A & B consistently can lead to:
- Richer coral colouration, particularly reds, pinks, and blues
- Increased polyp extension, indicating a stronger feeding response
- Faster tissue growth and healing, even in newly fragged corals
- Iimproved resilience to stress and parameter fluctuations
These supplements are also free from nitrates and phosphates, making them ideal for ULNS systems where nutrient control is critical.
Pro Tip: Pair With ICP Testing and Coral Colours Program
For a more advanced reefing strategy, Red Sea recommends pairing Coral Nutrition A & B with:
- Coral Colors A, B, C, and D (trace element program)
- ICP water analysis to fine-tune element levels
This integrated approach ensures that both macro and micro needs are met, leading to vibrant, actively growing corals.
Conclusion
Coral Nutrition A & B is a beginner-friendly yet highly effective way to provide organic nutrition to your reef. It supports corals at the metabolic level, helping them thrive in even the most pristine, low-nutrient environments. Whether you’re keeping softies, LPS, or SPS, this duo offers a clean, reef-safe method to supplement feeding, without the risk of nutrient spikes.
