Bayer Bleaching Corals

[trajik]

I’ve been using Coral RX for years with no issues, but decided I wanted to give Bayer a try. I’ve been impressed with the kill effect of hitchhikers, but unimpressed with the killing power of my coral. Every SPS I’ve put in this stuff, 5 now, has bleached. I’m using approx 1oz (30ML) for 3 cups of water. Dipping for 10min. Rinsing in RODI. Into the tank. The polyps seem to be not as effected (monti polyps are the worst so far), but the skin is bleaching. Dipped a slimmer, it bleached, but polyps were out in full force in a couple days. Seems like it’s burning the coral. Just dipped a lepto and a sunset month and they look fried...

What am I doing wrong here? Do I need to give it a few days?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks reefers.

 

[trajik]

Dang those are bad images... I think it get’s the point across... if not let me know and I can get more up.

 

[Scorpius]

If you're rinsing your frags in fresh water then there's your problem. You can't do that.

 

[Robink]

I take about an hour to acclimate new frags to my tank water (in containers of course), once acclimated to my tank's water I then dip in bayer (skim milk look) for 15 minutes, then rinse in a separate container of clean tank water 15 minutes, rinse again ( another container) clean tank water for 15 minutes.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

No way it's the Bayer. I use 1.5x the concentration you do. I've dipped a dozen and a half frags now, everything from softies to acros. Not lost a single frag yet.

Something else is going on. What Bayer product are you using? Does it specifically say "Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer?"

 

[Scorpius]

OP I've dipped numerous coral in Bayer with zero casualties. Even smooth skin/deep water Acropora.

 

[chefjpaul]

Your using the Bayer advanced complete ?

 

[trajik]

It’s literally a quick dip in rodi. Done it for years to rinse off the toxins before frags go into qt. I don’t think it’s that. Could be wrong though, as I don’t have a ton of sps. Only done about twenty sps frags...

 

[tpack17]

I just used a new bottle on Zoanthids with no issue. I rinsed in tank water though.

 

[Monterey Bay Coral]

The RODI will kill your sps.

 

[trajik]

I am using the advanced complete insect killer.

I’ll try the next set rinsing with just tank water. I’m just overly concerned with getting toxins in the tank, so I hit with sw and fw. Not an sps expert so might be the issue...

 

[Dual40IM]

I always rinse with tank water also, no problems here. I usually try to buy my frags in schedule with my water changes, makes the acclamation process and tank maintenance go by quicker.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

If you're concerned about the Bayer getting in the tank, do two saltwater rinses. Saltwater then freshwater doesn't offer any advantage to saltwater > saltwater.

After Bayer, I dip and soak for a few seconds in saltwater rinse number one. Then I do saltwater rinse number two in the same fashion. Nothing significant is going to make it through two rinses.

 

[trajik]

I feel dumb that this could be the issue. I have rinsed all my corals this way forever and didn’t have issues until dipping in bayer. It just seems crazy. I know sps in finicky so i’ll be diligent going forward.

Appreciate the input from everyone.

 

[Mike810]

rinsing in rodi is your problem and a quick rinse isn't good enough to remove all the bayer especially if there is a rock or frag plug in the picture. You should rinse in tank water for several minutes. Preferably two different clean tank water containers. one container for frags that just came from the bayer dip and the second container for a final rinsing. Bayer is no joke and any little bit that gets into your tank will kill your pods instantly.

 

[Scorpius]

Freshwater dips are killing your coral. It's pretty simple.

 

[happyhourhero]

Freshwater dips are killing your coral. It's pretty simple.

Agreed. I always use Bayer and have never had an issue with any coral. 2x tank water rinse for me and in she goes.

 

[DanConnor]

I always dip in Ro quickly after Bayer, and then into tank water. I've done this with countless corals of all types, so I'm unconvinced that is the problem.
I keep on container of tank water right next to the ro, so it isn't on them long.

 

[DanConnor]

However, I would stop it to eliminate that variable and because it is of questionable effectiveness.

 

[North Borders]

If it's pure RODI it's an osmotic gradient that the coral can't really deal with. They're likely used to 34-35 ppt salinity and if you rinse off in 0 it's likely shocking it. There's a reason you don't find coral in freshwater tropical lakes.