When adding new corals...

kkgaskin90 · Apr 14, 2015

Converting FOWLR to reef & trying to do things right. A few questions:

When you get a new coral, do you dip it no matter what? Does type of coral make a difference here?

What do you use to dip? I was reading in to Bayer dips and saw only success, but saw greatly varying concentrations. Is this safe with all corals?

Do you remove the plug prior to dipping? The guide I was reading said remove, dip, rinse, then attach to new plug and put in tank. Nowhere local to me has plugs. Could I put in tank without a plug?

Thank you!

KillerKlownFish · Apr 14, 2015

I've never dipped. I always inspect it very carefully. I keep the coral all the way on the bottom in the sand bed on plugs and after a few days move them to proper locations. I only remove from plug once they find the right spot. I crazy clue them to the rock. In some cases I keep them on a drag let them grow and once they are established on rock I remove the drag and either relocate or sell to a friend or LFS.

glb · Apr 14, 2015

I dip in Coral Rx. I keep it on the original plug until I find the right place for it. Then I'll glue the coral down or the plug if I can wedge it into the rock.

HiddenUser · Apr 14, 2015

I dip all coral with Revive. I just follow the instructions on the bottle.

I've left the plug for some coral and removed the plug for others and glued the coral directly to a rock in my tank.

Shep · Apr 14, 2015

As far as I know Bayer is safe with all corals. I have used it on acans, zoas, monti, acros and plate corals with no problems. As for the frag plug some do remove it before dipping because the plug can have lots of pests but some do not. You do not have to dip every coral but sometimes its best to do it just to make sure you are not adding anything really bad to your tank.

TJ's Reef · Apr 14, 2015

Really good advice from Shep ^above^ and a VERY GOOD habit to be in, dipping each and every Coral no matter from where or whom. By removing the frag plug you minimize your chances of bringing in unwanted pests like Acropora/Montipora eating Flatworm eggs, Aiptasia, Mojano and various other potentially bad Nudibranch eggs.

Other things to consider when first introducing Corals to your system is what they will become with age/time, meaning to imagine them as mature colonies as for placement. It's hard not to spread everything out just a few inches at first but eventually they will grow and those that do not play well with each other will manifest into problems. You can crowd like species together creating mixed colonies or create separate areas for different types of Coral. Flow direction will also be an issue for some and is best to understand which of the Corals have 'sweeper' tentacles or release chemicals to hold territory. ie: keep SPS upstream of Softies and most LPS. Most encrusting Corals especially GSP (Green Star Polyp) Briarium and Xenia family rapidly climb up and outwards, rarely downwards so by keeping them isolated at the top of Live Rock pieces they are much easier to control

Cheers, Todd

kkgaskin90 · Apr 14, 2015

Wow! That's very helpful! Thank you! I am pretty sure I've got rubble down in my sump. Is there anything special I will need to remove coral from plug?
And What is the reason for putting corals in the sand for a few days first?

tatorswife · Apr 14, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
Wow! That's very helpful! Thank you! I am pretty sure I've got rubble down in my sump. Is there anything special I will need to remove coral from plug?
And What is the reason for putting corals in the sand for a few days first?

I dip every coral in Coral rx just to make sure there are no pest being added to the tank. I also place on the bottom for them to adjust to the lighting of the tank and then move them

Shep · Apr 14, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
Wow! That's very helpful! Thank you! I am pretty sure I've got rubble down in my sump. Is there anything special I will need to remove coral from plug?
And What is the reason for putting corals in the sand for a few days first?

Nothing special, just cut or pry it off the plug (slowly and gently). The reason for leaving it on the sand for the first few days is so that it can get used to your lights slowly and with out shocking them (which could casue them to bleach)

maroun.c · Apr 14, 2015

I dip in Coral RX or Revive on arrival and place in Quarantin.then another dip in 5 days time and one last dip after a week before coral goes to Dt

glb · Apr 14, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
Wow! That's very helpful! Thank you! I am pretty sure I've got rubble down in my sump. Is there anything special I will need to remove coral from plug?
And What is the reason for putting corals in the sand for a few days first?

It allows your coral to get used to your lighting. You can always move it up but it's better to err on the side of less light than more.

kkgaskin90 · Apr 14, 2015

That makes sense. I just got new LED's so they are dialed down (max out at 30% blues and 25% whites) and will slowly raise over the next 5 weeks. Hopefully between putting them at the bottom and the dialed down lights we will be ok!

glb · Apr 15, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
That makes sense. I just got new LED's so they are dialed down (max out at 30% blues and 25% whites) and will slowly raise over the next 5 weeks. Hopefully between putting them at the bottom and the dialed down lights we will be ok!

Sounds good. If you see the corals 'stretching' for the light that means they're not getting enough. If you have zoas it's easy to see when they're doing this.