Some corals also need a water surge to flush debris from their surfaces.

If you are a saltwater fish keeper and are looking for a way to spruce up your tank, consider adding coral.

Before you purchase a coral, a living creature, you should do some research and visit your nearest aquarium or favorite aquarium supply store, so you can see these incredible invertebrates up close.

Jesse Newcomb helps care for these corals and tells us about their basic needs.

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	Coral Lisa Chelenza shows how to add coral to your own aquarium.

"Before you buy coral you need to know what kind of light you have, the water chemistry of your tank, the salinity and the temperature. The lighting has to be so many watts per gallon, they usually adapt well with high compact or halide lights. Your chemistry has to be no ammonias, no nitrates, no nitrites and you have to have between a 1.025 salinity levels," Newcomb said.

Corals also need to eat their plankton to grow big and strong.

Their requirements vary by coral species. Soft corals generally require less light, while those hard corals that live by photosynthesis need more intense light.

Some corals also need a water surge to flush debris from their surfaces.

Be careful when mixing different types of coral in your aquarium. Some soft coral can have a negative effect on hard corals.

	Consider the size of your tank and if the coral is compatible with your fish and any other organisms.

Hardy beautiful mushroom corals are great for beginners, but some species of mushroom that have long tentacles are aggressive toward other types of corals and need plenty of space to stretch.

Different corals have different needs. Just make sure you understand the needs of coral before you add it to your tank.

Consider the size of your tank and if the coral is compatible with your fish and any other organisms.