What to expect when expecting SPS

[Foothill Corals]

The only problem with a simple 20 gal by it self for Qt is it is not a stable environment to keep them as long as needed wich is 2 -3 months minimum IMO. I have a frag/ QT tank and a display so that makes it easy.

 

[hatfielj]

Hello All,
I am very new to R2R and to this hobby. I just received a shipment of coral frags from WWC (I got sucked into their live sale last weekend!) and I am just wondering what is normal/ok to see on a frag plug and what is not.
Upon opening, I already see I have some sort of tiny swimming hitchhiker. What should I be on the lookout for?? I'm scared I'm gonna kill everything in our tank lol
I appreciate any advice!

Ignore the directions and always AT LEAST dip before placing them in your tank. The IDEAL thing is to dip AND remove from original frag plugs. That prevents any eggs from getting in to your tank assuming there are pests. Aptasia's are a prime example of why you don't want someone else's frag plugs in your system. That's one pest I've managed to avoid this time and I've had them in the past and they are awful.

 

[KingReef16]

Dang that aip came from WWC?

It did.

 

[jda]

I would rather lose a coral in a dip than have a bad pest get into my tank. Aips are no big deal - they are easy to deal with. Nudis, flatworms, bugs, etc. are not great.

Never expect any vendor to be perfect. There are stories from every one where some pest was on a coral plug - it happens to the best of them. If you are worried about this, then a vendor might not be for you and find a meticulous hobbyist who can manage toothbrushing every plug every week and otherwise keeping their stuff immaculate.

 

[happyhourhero]

I think it’s fair to be surprised after watching vendor videos touting strict qt procedures to prevent pests. I have never even had algae come on a plug from them so it raised my eyebrows a bit.

 

[ChrisW]

The only problem with a simple 20 gal by it self for Qt is it is not a stable environment to keep them as long as needed wich is 2 -3 months minimum IMO. I have a frag/ QT tank and a display so that makes it easy.

Agreed. I, as I’m sure some others, just don’t have the ability to have another tank running along side the main so I figured something was better than having nothing at all..just a suggestion. Takes a lot of restraint to not just start filling the tank up soon as it’s up and cycled. But this is a marathon not a sprint, we’re in this for the long haul yea? QTing for a time beats dealing w what a lot of reefers have dealt with for what seems like uphill battles against infestation/infection/contamination.
Is it fair to say that even with all the reputable dealers out there, WWC, Boom, Battle, etc.. they simply can’t catch everything? Therefore QT in some capacity is worth the investment

 

[KingReef16]

OK! I've dipped. I've rinsed. I put them all in a new little tub of fresh salt water. I'm waiting for that pesky little Aptasia to pop back out so I can remove it. Any suggestions on best way to get that little bugger? Also, how long will these frags be ok in this little tub (no flow)? I kinda want to wait maybe an hour or 2 before moving them out of it. I haven't eaten since breakfast and I'm starving lol

 

[ChrisW]

Sorry man I’m waaaay toooo new to be giving that kind of advice. Hopefully someone more advanced than me will chime in here shortly and help u out. I read all this stuff now to be prepared when I have to battle what you’re currently battling. At least it’s not in the display tank so you’re good there. Post some pics tho when everything gets resolved
Good luck I’m following

 

[KingReef16]

Sorry man I’m waaaay toooo new to be giving that kind of advice. Hopefully someone more advanced than me will chime in here shortly and help u out. I read all this stuff now to be prepared when I have to battle what you’re currently battling. At least it’s not in the display tank so you’re good there. Post some pics tho when everything gets resolved
Good luck I’m following

Thanks! I will definitely post pics!

 

[ChrisW]

A suggestion for you for the future, I bought this 20gal for $40. It has filter and a light. It’s not perfect for QT, but it will work and is better than nothing. A little powerhead for another $40 and at least I have something that can be up and running w tank water relatively quick and I can store it away when I’m done and doesn’t take up a lot of space. There’s people that have 20gal as their display tank so using it as QT should certainly work even if it’s not the best setup. Just a suggestion

 

[KingReef16]

So today I’m going to make a trip to my LFS for some Aiptasia X, a proper frag rack (I used some redneck ingenuity and built a really ugly makeshift one), and new frag plugs. Also going to take Chris’s advice and pick up a little tank to use for QT while I am at it. Anything else I should add to the list? Y’all have been great with the advice and I appreciate it!

 

[jda]

I think it’s fair to be surprised after watching vendor videos touting strict qt procedures to prevent pests. I have never even had algae come on a plug from them so it raised my eyebrows a bit.

For most of them, it is a sales pitch and not so much a way of life all of the time. They are only human. There are confirmed stories from every major vendor that had something show up with one pest or another... some less of an issue (like bryopsis or dictoya) than others that might have MEN, red bugs or AEFW. The only perfect people that I have ever heard of are the god-tier hobbyists and not any coral shop. I do not hold this against any coral shop... it is like expecting a hospital to never have any disease floating around in the air. Would anybody trust a fish from WWC not to have ich and not QT it? How is this any different? Always take your own precaution and you will seldom be let down.

 

[Ferrell]

As far as the aptasia goes I had one come in under a chalice. Pop the frag packs from the plug with an oyster knife or butter knife, tweezers the aptasia off if stuck the the plug, rinse and scrub the he area and glue to new plug or rubble rock. All good.

 

[Jmareef1022]

You can also cover aptasia with super glue, irritate it first then cover.

 

[KingReef16]

I got some Aiptasia X and applied. Not gonna lie, it was kinda satisfying. It worked immediately. I popped the frag off the plug and mounted to a fresh plug. Thanks for all the advice, gang!

 

[cracker]

Not gonna lie, it was kinda satisfying.

Me too !

 

[OriginalUserName]

I had aiptasia come in from a WWC frag too, but that's not a big deal in my book.

I've had frags drop dead after dipping right after shippi

Wellllll, see what had happened was...I got excited about adding coral and didn't really think this through. Very unlike me to not do thorough research before jumping into something. So now I'm having a what the heck was I thinking moment. I definitely won't be doing this again without a QT tank. SMH.

ng. IMO their directions are the best, and if it's your first SPS you aren't risking a bunch of other corals.

A bit of super glue takes care of aiptasia on the frag plugs.

 

[Coronus]

Very critical part of reefing is dipping.
Bayer is a great chemical to use. Been using it for 7 years and have lost maybe 3-4 frags. Most of them were already on their way out though. Shake it up really good before. 10 ml per cup of tank water is good and will kill most everything ime. Inspect them very well before the dip and look for bugs first. If I find an aefw on a new coral. I would just toss it. Why risk it. Sorry, but It aint worth it. So inspect, remove from plug, place in dip 15 min, then for me I do 4 different rinses before replugging.
I am local to WWC and they have issues just like everyone else. Trust no one!