Coral Dips

[Mischke]

Do you use coral dips on NPS corals? Do you do any QT? If so, what's is your personal procedure?

 

[stunreefer]

Personally, I use a mix of Revive (double dose) and Prazipro for coral. Place them in a 5 gallon bucket with the dips, and add a powerhead for circulation. After 15 minutes I remove the coral and scrub the heck out of it with a hard bristle tooth brush, scrubbing all areas of rock/skeleton except live tissue. I then place the coral in another 5 gal bucket with tank water and let sit for about 15 minutes (rinses off dip). Place coral in QT for a week or so and repeat the dip/scrub treatment at least once, even if the coral looks super happy and healthy. Corals take dips pretty well, much more resilient than most people think.

It's infinitely easier to prevent any pests from coming in on new coral, than to try and remove them from your display. I have personally witnessed small crustaceans living inside polyps of various Tubastrea, Dendrophyllia and Rhizotrochus that I've never seen on other coral.

 

[karenvas2]

Dips

Dips

My LFS swears that they dip all their corals plus quarantine them and that I do not need to. Should I still dip anyway? I picked up a bottle of Revive.

 

[Reef Frog]

Yes, always dip. They may indeed dip but who knows if they do it right. Plus the coral is going right back into an occupied tank at the LFS with a large shared water circuit, and would never trust that it would be pest free.

Keep in mind most dips won't get algae, aptasia, eggs etc.

I use Revive with good results on LPS, zoas etc. & lots of pods & other stuff fall off for sure. I am considering adding a stronger dip like Lugols or CoralRX in addition when I add some SPS since those bugs seem much more problematic. I've never received an opinion on if that is too much abuse of a new coral. I am also considering dipping with Bayer roo but need more information. Good luck.

 

[davidjolene]

My lfs dips his corals Ive been there and watched him do it and I said to him so I dont need to dip stuff from you then right. He said you still need to dip you cant be to catious with your investments. In my opinion better safe than sorry I use coral rx

 

[stunreefer]

Dip, dip, dip... no matter what!

Most good coral importers, wholesalers and retailers are in the business of dipping all corals when they come in these days. The fact is that it's on us to ensure nothing makes it into our system. You can never be too careful, and as mentioned previously you do not want to have to eradicate any kind of pest from your display tank... it's a nightmare that drives many people out of the hobby.

You can also eliminate 99% of invasive nuisance algae along with aiptasia, majanos, etc. by scrubbing them off coral during/after a dip.

 

[only1cookie]

Stunreefer, do you use Revive (double dose) and Prazipro on all coral or just the NPS? I thought that Prazipo was bad for coral, or is that just for inverts?

 

[stunreefer]

Stunreefer, do you use Revive (double dose) and Prazipro on all coral or just the NPS? I thought that Prazipo was bad for coral, or is that just for inverts?

I use it on all coral. It's bad for worms (including feather dusters) but I've had many snails and such make it through.

With that said I've backed off of my double dose of Revive as I kicked the crap out of a few chalices one day doing this. Now I'm generally regular dose for full time period or larger dose for 5 mins. Still with Prazi for both methods... I always have Prazi around as I use it on all fish so it's easy for me to add a little in the dip.

 

[only1cookie]

Thank you!

Thank you!

thank you for the reply stunreefer- I usually have prazi on hand for the fish too, I'll just have to pick up some revive now.