Hey!
We're occasionally horrified that people add new specimens to their aquariums without any sort of acclimation or dip procedure! So, when customers ask us about our preferred acclimation process for newly-received corals, we're happy to preach this gospel. Regardless of whom you purchase your corals from, some sort of acclimation/dip procedure should be considered at least as mandatory as checking out the latest corals on our web site each day! :wink:
Here is how this thing goes down:
The big day is here. Your order arrived, on time, in that sexy Unique Corals box! Now comes the fun part! But before you invite the gang over to drool over your new corals, you should take a few precautions. It all starts with a good dip.
Trust us, except for excessive amounts of cappuccino and really bad 1970’s movies, nothing keeps us up at night more than worrying about the prospect of a flatworm, red bug, or other unwanted guest getting into one of our systems-or worse yet, one of yours. Even though we examine, dip and acclimate every coral on arrival to our facility, and examine the coral again before it leaves- there is always the chance of some pest organism getting through. It just goes with the territory.
So, to alleviate our fears (and to increase your chances of success), we really want you to perform a dip procedure for all corals that you add to your aquarium. Come on, it’s not that bad. Really. In fact, it’s pretty easy- and at least as habit-forming as checking your status updates on Facebook.
Here’s what you’ll need:
-Coral specimen(s) (duh)
-High quality coral dip solution ( we like RPS "All Out")
-Plastic container (preferably clear or light-colored)
-Pair of small tweezers
-Small turkey baster
-About 20-30 minutes of your time.
Here’s how you do it:
Float your newly arrived specimens in your aquarium, with the shipping bags still fully sealed, for about 10-15 minutes. This will allow the temperature to to equalize. Next, open the bag and mix with some water from your aquarium until you achieve about a 50/50 ratio of bag to aquarium water. This should be done slowly, over a period of about 10 minutes or so. When you achieve that 50/50 ratio, pour the water into an appropriately-sized plastic container (like, what reefer doesn't have a collection of THOSE?). Inspect the specimen carefully and remove any unwanted growth (ie; microalgae, etc.). We try to get this stuff off before shipment, but nobody’s perfect, right?
Once you’re convinced that the specimen is clean from any extra stuff, add your coral dip solution to the water, per manufacturer's instructions. Use a small turkey baster to gently blow the water into the coral specimen. Make sure you get it into all the nooks and crannies! You’ll be surprised at all the creepy-crawly things that can come out of a seemingly “clean” specimen when you do this. :twitch:
Let the coral sit in the container for another couple of minutes. Then, you just rinse the specimen in some fresh aquarium water, and you’re ready to go. If you want to take longer, we won't argue. If you really want to take things to the next level, you'll add your newly-received corals to your coral quarantine system for at least 2 weeks! You're awesome!:yo:
That’s the dip/acclimation process in a clam shell. It’s easy. It’s quick. It’s important. And it works.
So get to it!
Regards,
Scott Fellman and Joseph Caparatta
Unique Corals
We're occasionally horrified that people add new specimens to their aquariums without any sort of acclimation or dip procedure! So, when customers ask us about our preferred acclimation process for newly-received corals, we're happy to preach this gospel. Regardless of whom you purchase your corals from, some sort of acclimation/dip procedure should be considered at least as mandatory as checking out the latest corals on our web site each day! :wink:
Here is how this thing goes down:
The big day is here. Your order arrived, on time, in that sexy Unique Corals box! Now comes the fun part! But before you invite the gang over to drool over your new corals, you should take a few precautions. It all starts with a good dip.
Trust us, except for excessive amounts of cappuccino and really bad 1970’s movies, nothing keeps us up at night more than worrying about the prospect of a flatworm, red bug, or other unwanted guest getting into one of our systems-or worse yet, one of yours. Even though we examine, dip and acclimate every coral on arrival to our facility, and examine the coral again before it leaves- there is always the chance of some pest organism getting through. It just goes with the territory.
So, to alleviate our fears (and to increase your chances of success), we really want you to perform a dip procedure for all corals that you add to your aquarium. Come on, it’s not that bad. Really. In fact, it’s pretty easy- and at least as habit-forming as checking your status updates on Facebook.
Here’s what you’ll need:
-Coral specimen(s) (duh)
-High quality coral dip solution ( we like RPS "All Out")
-Plastic container (preferably clear or light-colored)
-Pair of small tweezers
-Small turkey baster
-About 20-30 minutes of your time.
Here’s how you do it:
Float your newly arrived specimens in your aquarium, with the shipping bags still fully sealed, for about 10-15 minutes. This will allow the temperature to to equalize. Next, open the bag and mix with some water from your aquarium until you achieve about a 50/50 ratio of bag to aquarium water. This should be done slowly, over a period of about 10 minutes or so. When you achieve that 50/50 ratio, pour the water into an appropriately-sized plastic container (like, what reefer doesn't have a collection of THOSE?). Inspect the specimen carefully and remove any unwanted growth (ie; microalgae, etc.). We try to get this stuff off before shipment, but nobody’s perfect, right?
Once you’re convinced that the specimen is clean from any extra stuff, add your coral dip solution to the water, per manufacturer's instructions. Use a small turkey baster to gently blow the water into the coral specimen. Make sure you get it into all the nooks and crannies! You’ll be surprised at all the creepy-crawly things that can come out of a seemingly “clean” specimen when you do this. :twitch:
Let the coral sit in the container for another couple of minutes. Then, you just rinse the specimen in some fresh aquarium water, and you’re ready to go. If you want to take longer, we won't argue. If you really want to take things to the next level, you'll add your newly-received corals to your coral quarantine system for at least 2 weeks! You're awesome!:yo:
That’s the dip/acclimation process in a clam shell. It’s easy. It’s quick. It’s important. And it works.
So get to it!
Regards,
Scott Fellman and Joseph Caparatta
Unique Corals
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