Dip for corals
Preventive or curative bath for corals before introduction into the aquarium. Removes hidden parasites, nudibranchs, flatworms and Aiptasia.
Detailed explanation
Coral dipping is a fundamental preventive practice in modern reefs. Every new coral, without exception, should be despatched before entering the main aquarium.
The aim is to remove unwanted organisms that hide among the polyps, at the base and under the skeleton: Aiptasia, flatworms, parasitic nudibranchs, red bugs (Tegastes acroporanus), eggs of various kinds.
The most used products are: CoralRx (the most popular, based on essential oils), Bayer Advanced (garden insecticide used off-label, very effective), Tmpol, Revive. Each has its own concentrations and immersion times.
The standard procedure for CoralRx: prepare a container with aquarium water, add the indicated dose, immerse the coral for 5-10 minutes while shaking gently. Rinse in a second container with clean aquarium water. Then introduce into the aquarium.
For Bayer: dilute 10-15 ml in 500 ml of aquarium water. Immerse for 5-10 minutes. Rinse very well in three successive baths of clean water. Bayer is more aggressive but more effective against AEFW and red bugs.
The dip should be made with fresh coral, straight out of the store bag. Don't spawn stressed or sick corals: swimming adds stress.
Carefully observe the dip water after bathing. Small worms, nudibranchs and other organisms are often seen falling from the coral. If you see many, repeat the dip.
The dip does not replace quarantine for fish. Corals and fish have completely different quarantine systems.