To dip or not to dip?

[JoeCanada]

So I will be getting my tank Saturday ( as long as it ships on time). I will be using dry rock mainly and seeding with a few pieces of live rock. My question is should I dip the live rock for bad hitchhikers and if so what is a good product? Also when I fill my tank can I just add freshwater and then will my salt in or should that be done with each bucket added?

 

[Steviereefs]

I say no dip, visually inspect each piece very carefully and remove bad hitchhickers as needed. Dip can kill good things as well as bad.

 

[_Alex_]

If tank is completely empty now mix salt water in it yes. If has sand in it mix in buckets/ barrel. And like said above give a good look over and go. Dipping would kill to much good stuff

 

[skinz78]

I've always dipped my new live rock in buckets of saltwater mixed to 1.035 or higher for about a minute each rock. Any bad guys will scurry from the rock trying to find lower specific gravity.

 

[_Alex_]

I've always dipped my new live rock in buckets of saltwater mixed to 1.035 or higher for about a minute each rock. Any bad guys will scurry from the rock trying to find lower specific gravity.

Now that doesn't sound like a bad idea!


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[JoeCanada]

So I could put my water in first then salt and sand after ?

 

[_Alex_]

Yup or put salt then dump water in and will help get it mixing. If have sump put it in and turn it on to get water moving. Add power heads and mix salt up. Sand will be a dust storm adding. Turn pumps off of course. Or mix water in barrel, put sand in, lay sand bag on top of sand and then pour water on top of the bag. Go slowly and bag will raise with water ad keep dust to minimal.


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[clearwaterreefs]

I highly reccomend a dip for any and all live rocks coral etc. Use coral RX it is reef safe. It will take care of worms and flat worms. These are hitch hikers and you dont want them. Follow the directions on the bottle. I dip everything before itenters my system. I even dipped a clam I still have.

 

[Zack]

I highly reccomend a dip for any and all live rocks coral etc. Use coral RX it is reef safe. It will take care of worms and flat worms. These are hitch hikers and you dont want them. Follow the directions on the bottle. I dip everything before itenters my system. I even dipped a clam I still have.

I would dip everything as well, or do dry rock to avoid pests. You can't inspect live rock for flatworms and such and expect to get every last little pest.

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[dsmhero]

Dry rock would be your best bet.

 

[joshporksandwich]

Dip everything! The beneficial bacteria in live rock will not die but bad stuff will leave the rock. dip everything. sometimes i even dip when i move a frag from one side of the tank to other. coral rx is very good. The high salinity method sounds good but I've not tried will try it and see.

 

[nanodoc]

I highly reccomend a dip for any and all live rocks coral etc. Use coral RX it is reef safe. It will take care of worms and flat worms. These are hitch hikers and you dont want them. Follow the directions on the bottle. I dip everything before itenters my system. I even dipped a clam I still have.

what is actually in Coral Rx? Will it kill only worms/flatworms and not beneficial bacteria?

 

[jtomasi]

I personally wouldn't even add liverock. I have started all of my tanks with 100% bleached rock and a thick piece of coralline algae from the LFS. Everything you need as far as beneficial bacteria and the like will be in your live sand. Obviously do your own research but its really not worth the energy/time/cost, especially when starting a new tank - you never know what is in that rock, could be 100 different nuisances.....when I do have to add something "foreign" i always dip, again, just not worth it IMO....here are some pics roughly 8 months apart.

 

[joshporksandwich]

what is actually in Coral Rx? Will it kill only worms/flatworms and not beneficial bacteria?

Coral rx doesn't kill anything it just makes everything exit the rocks looking for another place to hide. You will see pods, worms, any little animal good or bad run for the hills. its like smoking little critters out good and bad. I just use a baster to save good pods and dump bad flat worms, nudis, or bristle worms.

 

[joshporksandwich]

I personally wouldn't even add liverock. I have started all of my tanks with 100% bleached rock and a thick piece of coralline algae from the LFS. Everything you need as far as beneficial bacteria and the like will be in your live sand. Obviously do your own research but its really not worth the energy/time/cost, especially when starting a new tank - you never know what is in that rock, could be 100 different nuisances.....when I do have to add something "foreign" i always dip, again, just not worth it IMO....here are some pics roughly 8 months apart.

Wow that a lot of coraline!!!!!

 

[jtomasi]

Thanks, I love it. sucks that its all bleached now that I run a radion. Maybe 420nm leds will get it going again....

 

[jtomasi]

I would have to disagree with one thing you said, Coral RX 100% kills everything. I use it almost weekly and your right, at first everything runs around with their head cut off, but wait around for 15 minutes and everything will be 100% dead. I dont leave the coral in that long....like you I take out all of the good pods very quickly

 

[joshporksandwich]

I would have to disagree with one thing you said, Coral RX 100% kills everything. I use it almost weekly and your right, at first everything runs around with their head cut off, but wait around for 15 minutes and everything will be 100% dead. I dont leave the coral in that long....like you I take out all of the good pods very quickly

Maybe i don't add as much as you do (I use the concentraded one) because i've left water overnight and the next day i see pods and other stuff swimming.

 

[Steviereefs]

Now that doesn't sound like a bad idea!


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+1 on this

When you said dip originally I thought chemical dip. The chemical dip is what i would stay away from. The high salinity Dip sounds great.

 

[clearwaterreefs]

Let me make myself clear. I do not dip dry (bleached rock.) I would dip live rock and any new corals etc. entering my tank. Coral RX I swear by it! Follow the directions on the bottle. On average 10 minute dip or less. It can also help corals with tissue recesion. I dipped a rock the other day with ricordia on it. I could not believe the worms and other organisms that fell off. It can help get rid of parasites that down the road can cause head aches. Flat worms are something you dont want in your tank ever!