Acclimation of new Corals and water parameters

[Dr. Reef]

If I'm getting many small frags (~10) at once, should I dip each frag one at a time, a few at a time, or can I do all at once?

Should I discard the coral dip water in after dipping each frag/batch or can I use the same dip for the whole session and then discard afterwards.

you can make a coral dip batch and put as many frags in it as u can fit as long as they dont touch each other and remain dipped under the coral dip mix.
After doing this discard the mixture and start a new water coral dip mixture for next set of frags. never use old mixture.

I usually save the styro foam box that previous frags/fish came in. i have a frag rack made out of egg crates with 1" legs. rack is probably 6-8" long 3-4" wide and 1.5" high with legs. it will fit roughly about 20-25 frags.
when i am expecting frags in a lot. i make a dip water in the styro foam box place the egg crate frag rack inside the styro foam box and start placing my new frags on the rack making sure they dont get to close to touch each other and remaining under water.

 

[Fish_King_25]

What an awesome post. I learned a whole lot from this just in time because I will be adding my first frag in a week or two! Thanks again!

 

[Michigan Mike]

I didn't find coralRx at my lfs (sketchy) but i did a freshwater dip on my zoa and it had a bunch of stuff drop into the water. Is this practice better than nothing and with what corals?

 

[Dr. Reef]

Honestly i have never dont freshwater dips on corals. to what i know freshwater dips should only be performed on Zoa to rid flatworms and some parasites. the process i am aware of s to match the temp and ph of the water to ur tank water and some even suggest hypo-salinity rater than straight ro/di. leave coral in just for 2-4 mins.
I personally have never tried it but from what i have read its not much recommended.
here is a similar discussion on RC regarding FW dips for corals and most have negative comments about it.
http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1320372

 

[alienz]

why is it that there isn't an acclimation step when usimg the dip method? Other than for temp?

 

[Dr. Reef]

why is it that there isn't an acclimation step when usimg the dip method? Other than for temp?

i am sorry i think i didnt make it clear on the dip method. After following the procedure of the manufacturer ao acclimate them to light by placing them in no lights at all for 12 hrs in the lower part of the tank. then after few days move them up a little and then a week or so later move them to their final place.
Temp and light acclimation is the most important step for corals along with dip to kill the unwanted stuff.

 

[alienz]

Ah, so do the drip acclimation first, then just do the dip afterwards, then add to tank and slowly acclimate them to the light?

 

[Dr. Reef]

Ah, so do the drip acclimation first, then just do the dip afterwards, then add to tank and slowly acclimate them to the light?

Yes you can temp acclimate them, then drip acclimate them and lastly dip them in coralrx before moving them to lower part of ur tank. some people do that some(like me) just temp acclimate them straight coralrx dip and placement in lower part of the tank.
personally i preffer my method better as you are not moving already stressed out corals (from shipping) into several waters.
temp-coral dip-Dt

 

[soul4surfin]

What about using these methods versus using a QT tank? What I am thinking...and maybe I am being too analytical is to QT them, then do a temp to dip to dt methodology. Is there any benefit to using a QT tank for corals?

Thanks,

 

[Dr. Reef]

What about using these methods versus using a QT tank? What I am thinking...and maybe I am being too analytical is to QT them, then do a temp to dip to dt methodology. Is there any benefit to using a QT tank for corals?

Thanks,

a very small number of people do coral QT. it was more recommended when specimen are wild caught or have parasites. QT works great for medication and more added attention. but with modern dips i dont find it helpful any more.
If you do decide to QT corals. perform acclimation process and then make sure QT has the same basic needs like ur DT as most corals require strong lights and water movement and good water parameters.

 

[FlyingRev]

Do you still recommend light acclimation if the coral in question is a large piece on a larger piece of rock and comes from a established tank under halide's?

The move will take place in a 5 gallon bucket over a 15 minute drive? The new home has Kessil LED's.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[Dr. Reef]

yes i highly recommend light acclimation no matter what size it is.
there are people that actually take a par meter and check the source and then place it in their tank under and at level where par is the same. it can be done but if you buy it from online source and dont know par readings i highly recommend light acclimation.

in your case its 2 different types of light sources. in fact not even 2 bulbs are same in MH either so do light acclimate.

 

[Gagonzalez]

Quick Question:

If I am just starting and once I get my sand and rock in and go thru cycling, can I add my corals directly into the tank without coralrx since I have no fish? I read somewhere that if corals do bring anything into the tank, that after 8 weeks, anything that came with it is dead without fish to live on. If that is true, I can get most of my corals, hermits, snails, etc...into the tank and running for a while with no fish and then after 2-3 months start adding fish thru a QT. Would that be logical in assuming?

Thanks

 

[Dr. Reef]

Quick Question:

If I am just starting and once I get my sand and rock in and go thru cycling, can I add my corals directly into the tank without coralrx since I have no fish? I read somewhere that if corals do bring anything into the tank, that after 8 weeks, anything that came with it is dead without fish to live on. If that is true, I can get most of my corals, hermits, snails, etc...into the tank and running for a while with no fish and then after 2-3 months start adding fish thru a QT. Would that be logical in assuming?

Thanks

if u r setting up a new tank and already have corals in an existing tank from which u are upgrading then yes u can transfer them from old to new setup without coral dip (once the new tank is stable)
if its a completely new system and u dont have any corals yet i advise to wait 3-6 months after cycle to start with soft corals and then another few months before u move on to sps. all those corals will need to be dipped in coralrx.
the comment about 8 weeks fishless is true for ICH not all parasites.

 

[nyquist]

very informative, thanks for the clear, step-by-step explanation

 

[no1bubba]

Just ordered several small frags from FS and a bottle of ReVive Coral Cleaner is that about the same as coralrx?

 

[Dr. Reef]

yes revive is a very reputable product and i personally use it too. do follow the direction on the bottle and it works just as good as coralrx.

 

[phk36]

What about an rbta does the coral rx work for anemones? and any soft type of zoanthids ? I once picked up an anemone that I am sure had ich on the rock it was on will this kill this as well ? Thanks, Pete

 

[Dr. Reef]

What about an rbta does the coral rx work for anemones? and any soft type of zoanthids ? I once picked up an anemone that I am sure had ich on the rock it was on will this kill this as well ? Thanks, Pete

Hi Pete,
from what i have learned over time and reading other forums. anemone's dont need to be dipped and dips dont have hardly any effect on ich.
Dip is good for any corals including zoanthids.

 

[Atmflreef]

Thank you
great information.