Anyone tried a DIY bug dip like this?

lpslover · May 21, 2012

Currently I iodine dip and then freshwater (as in no salt) rinse all new arrivals. The freshwater rinse I got as an idea from a lecture by Joe Yaiullo on the husbandry of the big reef tank at Atlantis Marine World. He has apparently taken to hosing down the corals in the big tank as a method to remove flatworms. I figure it can't hurt and it is one more thing I can do to minimize the likelihood of introducing nasties. But I'm looking at getting more SPS in what is currently a primarily LPS tank. So I'm a bit worried about the red bugs.

Came across a DIY coral bug dip video on You Tube based on garden insecticide.

DIY Coral Dip (Kills AEFW, Montibranch's, Red Bugs and all other know pests) - YouTube

If it works as well and as safely as the video's maker claims it would be an awesome and inexpensive alternative to interceptor. Anyone tried this or something similar? Successes? Failures? Tips?

cparka23 · May 21, 2012

No experience with it here, but I think you'll get more responses if you mention that it's Bayer Advanced. There have been a few threads on this, and you can find some feedback in the responses.

huuta · May 21, 2012

i use it for my tank and so far so good.I use 1 cap full to 5 cups of water for sps.Dip for 10 min and 5 for lps and z and p.It does kill all the nasty pest.I've seen flat worm on the bottom of the rinsing container.

lpslover · May 21, 2012

Thanks cparka23!

divewsharks · May 21, 2012

i use it with all new SPS additions and for treating of AEFW. Most every coral i dipped in it responded very favorably to the treatment -- as in not a harsh dip; polyps were normally back out within an hour of being placed back into tank (if not sooner).

Chameleon · May 22, 2012

I use this as well. Worked really great for monti eating nudibranches, however now i use as preventative. I have read that it doesn't kill AEFW however I have no experience myself. I think you should go with it.

Fatman · May 23, 2012

I've used it too. 0.5 ml per two cups of tank water for 5 minutes, then two dips in salt water for five minutes each to get rid of any residue. I've also heard that it won't kill AEFW, but some have said that they have found them wiggling in the dip cup, so it might force them off the coral. All new coral get a dip before going in my tank. Works well so far.

gmoney243 · May 23, 2012

I use bayer also. RC has a thread about 18 pages and a year and half old about it. It does kill aefw if used in high enough doses I use 6ml/ cup safely nothing will survive a 15min dip exept the coral of course lol

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

divewsharks · May 23, 2012

I've used it to remove AEFW from my SPS. They peeled right off without any effort or agitation. I use the Bayer Complete Insect Killer currently at 2.5ml per 2 cups of tank water.

Reef Breeders · May 23, 2012

Sounds like a good idea, I have always used coral rx. When it is gone, I will look into this.

impur · May 23, 2012

Anyone know if it kills hydroids? Specifically the white polyp type ones.

Daimyo68 · May 24, 2012

Just an FYI, it will kill/stun the Adult AEF's long enough to "turkey baster" them off the coral, but there is nothing known as of yet that will kill the eggs. You must continue with the weekly dipping until the life cycle has ended.

I can confirm this as I went through a fight against AEF's this past winter. I lost 9 colonies out of 19. This was even after removing all SPS from my DT, and setting up a dedicated SPS QT.

AJreefs · May 24, 2012

Wow, Guess i have a new dipping routine, I always used coral Rx but this is appreaing to be a little more effective and a little less harsh. I see a couple different dosages being mentioned; has anyone dipped sensitive corals like OrA's Hawkins using this method?!

divewsharks · May 25, 2012

AJreefs said:
Wow, Guess i have a new dipping routine, I always used coral Rx but this is appreaing to be a little more effective and a little less harsh. I see a couple different dosages being mentioned; has anyone dipped sensitive corals like OrA's Hawkins using this method?!

I have, and the Hawkins came out just fine. I've only had one deepwater coral that didn't much care for the dip; it survived but was stressed.