How do you properly acclimate LPS corals with large ALK difference?

[destro]

Hi,

When I purchase corals, I usually ask for the water parameters to ensure the corals are not exposed to a large ALK swing.

A few months ago, a LFS opened up with beautiful selection of corals. They keep their alk high at 11-12 dkH where I keep mine at 8.5.

Unfortunately, I didn't have luck keeping a torch that was purchased from them. I tried again with another coral and failed.

Picked up other corals from a different LFS with alk at 8.3 dkH (similar to my water parameters) and those are doing just fine.

So, here I am wondering how do you properly acclimate LPS corals with large ALK difference to ensure they have the best chance.
I'd like to try again one day but don't have the confidence at the moment.

Thank you for your time.

 

[my.PsychReef]

Do a usual slow drip acclimation. While dripping try to remove water from the bag when it gets half full then continue with the dripping process. Can take about 30-40mins approx. Keep an eye on the temp during the process. Once the salinity matches (tank water and in the bag) test DKH in the bag. The number should be near to the tank water. 1 DKH variation should not be a problem.

 

[Eclyps19]

I quarantine all of my corals for 45 days prior to putting them in my DT. Before purchase, I match my coral QT to what the corals are used to, and this allows me to slowly adjust the alk over time while they are being quarantined. Without a separate tank to slowly adjust your params, you may continue to have trouble with some of the more finicky corals. 12 -> 8 is a *massive* swing.