Whats everyones SPS dip procedure??

[chort55]

Hey guys we've all thought it, I didn't see a thread on it so I'll ask it....

What is everyone's SPS dip procedure? I know we all have different methods, different products what works what doesnt, some even QT... So, what do you do???
to

I am lucky to have an awesome lfs that dips, inspects, and knows what he is looking for so I am a little laid back maybe, but I still do a revive dip (which I want to find something better it always browns my stuff out... maybe I do it wrong despite following directions?), put them in my 30g cube to inspeyct along the front glass, toss in some interceptor if I see the need (usually just on stuff from "friends"... but what kind of true friend spreads bugs right? lol). After that I usually put it into my display which is home to several wrasses, including 3 leopards and a yellow coris to aid in clean up of anything I may have missed. Also, when adding new pieces like that I will turkey baste them for a few days and lay off on the feeding to encourage the natural hunt of the wrasses, despite never having a "feeding frenzy" when doing this.

I've never had an issue except red bugs once when I couldn't get my hands on any interceptor, so I think my process has worked pretty good but always looking to learn something new or better. Also I think the revive is a little harsh on the corals so something a little friendlier would be nice.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer….yes an insecticide available at Home Depot. It is a common “safe” insecticide based on nicotine that acts as a neurotoxin. HERE’s a video clip that shows you how to use it.

 

[chort55]

I've heard of using Bayer quite a bit now..... but I've always been leery of putting something that isn't designed for a reef on something for my reef.... but then again I guess I have dosed vodka and vinegar and bayer is really just a bug killer anyways. Thanks for the video clip I will have to check into it more for sure.

I am assuming you use it yourself, have you had any issues or noticed it browning corals out?

 

[cdness]

I use a 3 dip process... 5 minutes in a FlatWorm Exit dip, 5 minutes in Revive, and 5 minutes in a iodine based solution (Coral Pro was the last one I bought)... It has worked well for me over the past years with zero pests... I usually mix the dips slightly higher concentration than they recommend as well.

I have heard lots about the Bayer product, but I have an issue with products not made for aquarium use. They could change their chemical content in the insecticide between manufacturing runs and we wouldn't know. That's the same reason why I am not doing the DIY 2-part solution as the thought of driveway ice melt in my tank doesn't sit well... That would be my only concern.

 

[Rabidgoose]

I use Prazipro or Bayer depending on the level of confidence I have in the person/place I bought the coral from. I will say that nothing goes in my tank without some sort of dip. I do at times quarantine for up to a week on larger orders especially where overnight shipping is involved.

 

[rossco]

I use Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer as well, 5ml per 500ml tank water for 15 minutes. I have dipped for 45 minutes with only one issue of one SPS getting lighter in color- which completely resolved in a couple weeks. I have used this to dip SPS - including Hawkins and Red Dragon, LPS, and even a gorgonian (dipping for potential parasites on the plug not the gorgonian).

 

[chort55]

I use a 3 dip process... 5 minutes in a FlatWorm Exit dip, 5 minutes in Revive, and 5 minutes in a iodine based solution (Coral Pro was the last one I bought)... It has worked well for me over the past years with zero pests... I usually mix the dips slightly higher concentration than they recommend as well.

I have heard lots about the Bayer product, but I have an issue with products not made for aquarium use. They could change their chemical content in the insecticide between manufacturing runs and we wouldn't know. That's the same reason why I am not doing the DIY 2-part solution as the thought of driveway ice melt in my tank doesn't sit well... That would be my only concern.

Have you noticed corals browning out with this process, especially with the higher concentrations then the recommend? I go light with revive and still brown coral and tick them off

I am with you on the Bayer, but I have heard of alot of sucess and 0 brown out by many..... starting to get more and more appealing lol

I use Prazipro or Bayer depending on the level of confidence I have in the person/place I bought the coral from. I will say that nothing goes in my tank without some sort of dip. I do at times quarantine for up to a week on larger orders especially where overnight shipping is involved.

Y have we not had this discussion before? lol I didn't know you used Bayer, I've heard of the prazi too. Have you had any issues with browning out or any other ill effects with either process??

I use Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer as well, 5ml per 500ml tank water for 15 minutes. I have dipped for 45 minutes with only one issue of one SPS getting lighter in color- which completely resolved in a couple weeks. I have used this to dip SPS - including Hawkins and Red Dragon, LPS, and even a gorgonian (dipping for potential parasites on the plug not the gorgonian).

I just might have to pick some up and give it a try with a few cheapo pieces.... Id still be scared to try it on anything real good for a while.... If I lose a few dozen pieces of nana or valida no biggy lol

 

[fraggingfish]

I've never used Prazipro on corals before, as I was under the assumption that it was geared towards fish.

 

[dgiglio3087]

The only dip i have used is coralrx and i just follow the directions on the bottle.

 

[Rabidgoose]

Y have we not had this discussion before? lol I didn't know you used Bayer, I've heard of the prazi too. Have you had any issues with browning out or any other ill effects with either process??

I have experienced some bleaching after a Bayer dip on a couple pieces (not often). I also use 4-5 ml Bayer per 500ml tankwater. I have never lost a coral that I would attribute to the use of Bayer and when their has been an issue with bleaching it has been with corals that have been shipped. I believe the problems stemmed from the added stress/rigors of shipping and certainly the recent fragging.

 

[Troylee]

I do 3 dips in revive a week apart while the coral sits in quarantine... After that to the display it goes...

 

[swannyson7]

Another Bayer user here. I haven't had much of a problem with anything browning out, although some smooth skinned acros don't seem to take the dip as well as they do an iodine based dip. I prefer the Bayer to other dip because it's pretty much a catch-all for the most common pests, killing flatworms, nudis, & red bugs.

I've never used Prazipro on corals before, as I was under the assumption that it was geared towards fish.

I've never used it as a dip either, but it's a dewormer, so I'm sure it would work well. The only drawback I can think of is that it seems like an expensive way to dip new aquisitions.

 

[chort55]

I've never used Prazipro on corals before, as I was under the assumption that it was geared towards fish.

It is geared towards fish, but I have heard it works before, and it is part of the regime my LFS uses actually.

The only dip i have used is coralrx and i just follow the directions on the bottle.

Have you had any ill effects using it, browning out/ bleaching that is common with other dips?

I do 3 dips in revive a week apart while the coral sits in quarantine... After that to the display it goes...

Life cycle of flatworms? I've heard that process before as well and always assumed that was the reasoning.

Another Bayer user here. I haven't had much of a problem with anything browning out, although some smooth skinned acros don't seem to take the dip as well as they do an iodine based dip. I prefer the Bayer to other dip because it's pretty much a catch-all for the most common pests, killing flatworms, nudis, & red bugs.


I've never used it as a dip either, but it's a dewormer, so I'm sure it would work well. The only drawback I can think of is that it seems like an expensive way to dip new aquisitions.

Figures smooth skins don't like it sometimes, they are a touchy bunch.... but ooooh so beautiful!

 

[Troylee]

Yes for flat worms or nudis etc... Just in case there eggs that are hidden it gives them time to hatch and be destroyed... If I dip a acro and worms come off it I normally frag a small stem and toss the rest in the trash... Not gonna chance aefw not even worth it!!!

 

[chort55]

I have experienced some bleaching after a Bayer dip on a couple pieces (not often). I also use 4-5 ml Bayer per 500ml tankwater. I have never lost a coral that I would attribute to the use of Bayer and when their has been an issue with bleaching it has been with corals that have been shipped. I believe the problems stemmed from the added stress/rigors of shipping and certainly the recent fragging.

Where those pieces smooth skinned acros like swannyson mentioned he has experienced?

I could see the shipping/ recent fragging being a big cause of loss or mixture of that and the added stress of the dip. Even with some of the most reputable shippers I have been leery of shipping for this reason.... never know what happens inbetween w/ fedex or ups. I have seen 2" thick styro-boxes that are marked live animals multiple times to where a blind person could read it still come in cracked/ destroyed and leaking w/ fish inside more then once!

 

[Rabidgoose]

Where those pieces smooth skinned acros like swannyson mentioned he has experienced?

I could see the shipping/ recent fragging being a big cause of loss or mixture of that and the added stress of the dip. Even with some of the most reputable shippers I have been leery of shipping for this reason.... never know what happens inbetween w/ fedex or ups. I have seen 2" thick styro-boxes that are marked live animals multiple times to where a blind person could read it still come in cracked/ destroyed and leaking w/ fish inside more then once!

Yes, for the most part the smooth(er) skin seem to show the most affect of dipping (IME). They are also the ones that seem to be AEFW magnets if you have them in your DT (again IME). On a side note I have heard that A. hyacinthus does not respond well to a Bayer dip, actually killing the coral. I have know personal experience but it seemed worth mentioning.

 

[chort55]

Yes for flat worms or nudis etc... Just in case there eggs that are hidden it gives them time to hatch and be destroyed... If I dip a acro and worms come off it I normally frag a small stem and toss the rest in the trash... Not gonna chance aefw not even worth it!!!

Yeah I know a guy that atleast used to completely toss the frag and find another somewhere else if one came off in a dip.... cant say I blame him either!

 

[chort55]

Yes, for the most part the smooth(er) skin seem to show the most affect of dipping (IME). They are also the ones that seem to be AEFW magnets if you have them in your DT (again IME). On a side note I have heard that A. hyacinthus does not respond well to a Bayer dip, actually killing the coral. I have know personal experience but it seemed worth mentioning.

I don't know that they are more prone to them or what but they definitely are quick it make it known if you have AEFW from my understanding. makes sense theres not a ton of polyps to hide the damage being done to the coral.

Thanks for the heads up on the hyacinthus, been looking at a couple so if I try the bayer out I will skip them on it then!

 

[WesF]

I use bayer now.

I used Revive for years.

The bayer seems more effective and less harsh on the coral. I've lost a few frags in revive dips. No losses in Bayer as of yet.

 

[chort55]

I use bayer now.

I used Revive for years.

The bayer seems more effective and less harsh on the coral. I've lost a few frags in revive dips. No losses in Bayer as of yet.

Good to know! I haven't lost any yet with revive (or atleast I dont think revive was the issue), but I have certainly upset quite a few with it. How long have you been using the Bayer?