First corals ever! To dip or not to dip?

[themadman]

This is my first saltwater tank and I just placed my first order for some corals to add to my tank. I've had a CUC, a bicolor blenny, and 2 cleaner shrimp in the tank for over 2 weeks now (after cycle completed) and so far all are flourishing and eating like pigs with no deaths and tank parameters great. With all the hype about the Jason Fox sale that went on I checked out his website and am definitely impressed with his corals. Amazing stuff. So I placed an order for 2 types of Zoa/Paly and a Cyphastrea. I know typically I would probably get a response that all new corals should be dipped for pests. But my question is since this guy is apparently so reputable with "high end" stuff I would imagine his operation takes great measures to protect against any pests? So with such a high profile vendor like this is it still necessary to dip the corals? Thank you!!!

 

[dbrewsky]

Despite the source, it is a good practice to always dip any coral you receive and if possible a quarantine would be the best practice. You will certainly have a lower percentage chance purchasing through a reputable aquaculture supplier with strict-quarantine processes.... however there is ALWAYS the chance of introducing pest from any coral added to the tank. Zoas carry there own list of nasty pests that are difficult to detect and/or eradicate.

Just get in a good habit from the get go of dipping and if you have the space/budget- set up a small coral quarantine tank and at least dip a couple times over a few week period and monitor before adding to your display.

 

[Chris Adams]

Dip everything you get no matter where you get it from.

 

[ckozma]

Yes, dip and also look for eggs or other odd looking things. Dip does not kill most eggs only living pests.

 

[HiddenUser]

ALWAYS dip!

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I used to dip religiously but instead now I just keep an acclimation tub near the tank. Stuff stays in there a few weeks, nothing in there for things to survive on unless they kill the coral that came with it.
My LFS dips and acclimates themselves and they're very good with it. Not that I trust them fully, but now I feel the dips are just a stressor..
If I lived near an LFS that had a higher turnover rate I would probably dip everything.

 

[themadman]

Thanks for feedback everyone! So the Bayer dip I have seen on this forum is the way to go?

 

[dbrewsky]

Bayer, revive, or coral rx all accomplish this same thing. Bayer may or may not be less stressful than the commercially available dips. I have used them all and never had any issues when mixed to the proper concentrations. Bayer is a bigger bang for your buck potentially, but there is some concern about the residue entering the display and the obvious health hazard for humans.

 

[themadman]

Bayer, revive, or coral rx all accomplish this same thing. Bayer may or may not be less stressful than the commercially available dips. I have used them all and never had any issues when mixed to the proper concentrations. Bayer is a bigger bang for your buck potentially, but there is some concern about the residue entering the display and the obvious health hazard for humans.

Thanks for info!

 

[Salty1962]

Ditto on what everyone has said, DIP EVERYTHING and QT if you can. My last tank I purchased coral from someone I knew and was very proficient in Reefing. 2 weeks later I saw my first red bugs NEVER take a chance!