Beginner-friendly coral acclimation routine. What would you change?

CoralCompass · 2026-10-23T16:09:02-0400

Here's the routine I use for new frags, and I'd welcome corrections from more experienced reefers:
1. Float the sealed bag 15-20 minutes with the tank lights dimmed to match temperature.
2. Check the bag's salinity against your tank. If it's off, add small amounts of tank water over 20-30 minutes (drip or cup).
3. Dip in a reef-safe coral dip at the label dose and inspect for pests (flatworms, AEFW eggs, nudibranchs).
4. Discard the bag water. Never pour it into the display.
5. Place the coral low in the tank or in shade first, then move it up over 1-2 weeks as it shows good polyp extension.
What do you do differently, especially for SPS?

Tahoe61 · 2026-10-23T20:31:19-0400

1. Put frags with shipping water into LG bowl.
2. Keep replacing the bowl water/frag water with tank water every 10 min. Bring everything up to temp and SG.
3. Next I dip and examine as indicated.
4. I don't feel that the majority of sps need to be acclimated to lighting.
5. Be prepared to place corals where you want them, considering flow and lighting recommendations. If it's an Euphyllia that prefers mod lighting then put it midway.

exnisstech · 2026-10-23T20:58:03-0400

I'm a bit reckless. SPS I temp dip and drop. Coral usually arrive in normal reef tank salinty unlike fish so I don't bother with matching salinty. Nothing wrong with being careful and doing so. I don't light acclimate most coral because I figure they had to be kept under decent lighting to thrive in the vendors tank. I usually place them on a rack and wait until I see growth before mounting them in the tank.

13rodo · 2026-10-23T21:11:31-0400

I have an acclimation bucket with a heater and small light that I let them sit in overnight to get happy again after shipping. Then they get a dip and go into my little frag tank to grow a bit. I like to frag them before they go in the display tank if possible so that way I have a backup ;)

I agree with @exnisstech that it’d be a bit weird for salinity to be wildly different. Probably doesn’t hurt to check, but I guess I’m reckless too lol.