Should I dip ORA Corals
- Thread starter amt68
- Start date
seminolecpa
Premium Member
Not at all saying ORA isn't very solid and potentially pest free, but as a rule you should dip and quarantine any piece of coral you put in your tank and treat it as if it has the worst possible critters on it regardless of how reliable the source is you are getting it from.
If you don't, you are asking for problems. You may get away with it for a while but it is like playing Russian Roulette with your tank.
If you don't, you are asking for problems. You may get away with it for a while but it is like playing Russian Roulette with your tank.
chessmanmark
New member
When you dip everything that goes in your tank you are the quality control for your tank. You have peace of mind that you did everything you can to protect your investment. Are you willing to take a chance that someone else was pest free? I'm not. There is a big difference from knowing/seeing and being told everything is safe from a second hand source IMO. I don't trust anyone with the welfare of my tank.
I wouldn't use only one of those dips on SPS.
This post has been on here a few times, but you sound like you could benefit from reading it.
Preventative Dips
You’ve read about the benefits of quarantining your corals but you haven’t made the commitment because of space or time considerations. The next best thing is to use preventative dips to protect your precious investment (financial and emotional) in your reef tank.
I use a 5 ½ gallon tank to dip all new arrivals that will go into my display. I mix up some new salt water when I know I’m going to receive new corals. I take about 3 gallons of water out of the display and fill the 5 ½ gallon tank, then replace this water volume with fresh SW in the display. I have a heater and a low flow powerhead for this temporary quarantine tank.
First I temperature acclimate the new corals. Once they are acclimated to the temperature the next step is to treat with Salifert Flatworm Exit. This product treats any incoming corals for planaria flatworms. It’s relatively easy to treat your entire tank for these pests, however if you treat your corals before placing them in your tank you will avoid infecting the entire display. Flatworm Exit is not harsh on your corals so you can leave it in the water for as long as you treat your corals.
The next step for acropora corals is to treat for red bugs with Interceptor. Interceptor is beef flavored heartworm medicine for dogs. It kills microscopic red bugs from your acropora corals. Red bugs irritate acros and you will not see good polyp extension if you have them. I found the best way to know if you have them or not is to take lots of macro photos of your corals. Then enlarge the image for better inspection. Interceptor is a prescription drug that must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Find someone who has a large dog to get this product for you. It is important to crush up the pill. I use a razor blade to cut it into a fine powder. I like to let acroporas sit in an Interceptor dip for 6 hours. Don’t worry if you go longer with this step as Interceptor is mild on your corals. This is another treatment option that is easy enough to utilize for your entire tank, however the idea of the dip is to prevent red bugs from infesting your display.
Step three for acropora is to dip for Acro Eating Flatworms (AEFW.) Many products will kill off the flatworms but they will not kill the eggs that may linger on a coral. That’s why a visual inspection is a good idea. Pick up a magnifying glass to get a good close look. To treat for AEFW I use Fluke tabs. These are sold over the counter and can be found on most online e-tailers. I crush up two tablets and let the coral soak for 30-45 minutes.
You may choose to use a product like Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure (TM PCC) or coral ReVive. I have used TM PCC and it is very harsh on corals, especially if they have recently been shipped. I dip them for no more than 5 minutes and often double the recommended dosage. I use TM PCC on all montipora corals and soft corals that I put in my tanks. You can also give zoas a fresh water dip. I have friends who put them directly under the tap, but you may prefer to use RO/DI water. IME zoas are pretty hardy and can withstand this type of dip while pest don't hold up through the dip. Try to keep the temp mild or close to your tank temp.
When you finish your preventative dips it is a good idea to give your corals a good rinse with water taken out of your tank in a separate container. Use a turkey baster to blow off anything that may be on your coral and give it a good rinse.
If you search the web you will find lots of information on these products and how to work with them. I wrote this post to share what I do from the point of view of an average hobbyist who has been keeping a reef for five years and learned a thing or two along the way. Good luck with your reef and I hope you are able to keep it pest free so you can enjoy the growth of your corals.
I wouldn't use only one of those dips on SPS.
This post has been on here a few times, but you sound like you could benefit from reading it.
Preventative Dips
You’ve read about the benefits of quarantining your corals but you haven’t made the commitment because of space or time considerations. The next best thing is to use preventative dips to protect your precious investment (financial and emotional) in your reef tank.
I use a 5 ½ gallon tank to dip all new arrivals that will go into my display. I mix up some new salt water when I know I’m going to receive new corals. I take about 3 gallons of water out of the display and fill the 5 ½ gallon tank, then replace this water volume with fresh SW in the display. I have a heater and a low flow powerhead for this temporary quarantine tank.
First I temperature acclimate the new corals. Once they are acclimated to the temperature the next step is to treat with Salifert Flatworm Exit. This product treats any incoming corals for planaria flatworms. It’s relatively easy to treat your entire tank for these pests, however if you treat your corals before placing them in your tank you will avoid infecting the entire display. Flatworm Exit is not harsh on your corals so you can leave it in the water for as long as you treat your corals.
The next step for acropora corals is to treat for red bugs with Interceptor. Interceptor is beef flavored heartworm medicine for dogs. It kills microscopic red bugs from your acropora corals. Red bugs irritate acros and you will not see good polyp extension if you have them. I found the best way to know if you have them or not is to take lots of macro photos of your corals. Then enlarge the image for better inspection. Interceptor is a prescription drug that must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Find someone who has a large dog to get this product for you. It is important to crush up the pill. I use a razor blade to cut it into a fine powder. I like to let acroporas sit in an Interceptor dip for 6 hours. Don’t worry if you go longer with this step as Interceptor is mild on your corals. This is another treatment option that is easy enough to utilize for your entire tank, however the idea of the dip is to prevent red bugs from infesting your display.
Step three for acropora is to dip for Acro Eating Flatworms (AEFW.) Many products will kill off the flatworms but they will not kill the eggs that may linger on a coral. That’s why a visual inspection is a good idea. Pick up a magnifying glass to get a good close look. To treat for AEFW I use Fluke tabs. These are sold over the counter and can be found on most online e-tailers. I crush up two tablets and let the coral soak for 30-45 minutes.
You may choose to use a product like Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure (TM PCC) or coral ReVive. I have used TM PCC and it is very harsh on corals, especially if they have recently been shipped. I dip them for no more than 5 minutes and often double the recommended dosage. I use TM PCC on all montipora corals and soft corals that I put in my tanks. You can also give zoas a fresh water dip. I have friends who put them directly under the tap, but you may prefer to use RO/DI water. IME zoas are pretty hardy and can withstand this type of dip while pest don't hold up through the dip. Try to keep the temp mild or close to your tank temp.
When you finish your preventative dips it is a good idea to give your corals a good rinse with water taken out of your tank in a separate container. Use a turkey baster to blow off anything that may be on your coral and give it a good rinse.
If you search the web you will find lots of information on these products and how to work with them. I wrote this post to share what I do from the point of view of an average hobbyist who has been keeping a reef for five years and learned a thing or two along the way. Good luck with your reef and I hope you are able to keep it pest free so you can enjoy the growth of your corals.
Bullredchaser
New member
If still in bags from ORA I would not bother stressing the coral with a dip.If the bag is been opened then dip.ORA is as clean as it gets.I never trade corals with people as dips are not 100% and neither is the coral survival. ORA has gone through more of a quarantine process before they even began the farming process.All my acros are 100% ORA and the LFS calls me when the coral arrives and are instructed not to open the bags .Its easier for the store as well.The coral doesnt loose color from double acclimations and everyone wins.Doing this Ive never had a acro die period.
iammrbiggs
New member
just dip them so you dont look in your tank a month from now and see an infestation of redbugs
Johnny C
New member
Lord knows that I love ORA corals, and yes... I would be surprised to find any pests on corals straight from the ORA facilities. With that being said, I wouldn't classify them as being "as clean as it gets". I have tested the water from ORA on several occasions and found sky-high nitrates as well as phosphate levels at/above 0.10 (tested via Hanna Photometer). Just sayin'
To the OP; Most people don't dip <i>everything</i>, but it's the only way to guarantee pest-free coral. When I dip, I use Revive and/or Interceptor. JM$.02!
