Double dip worth the trouble?

[tchat]

Im getting in my first “large for me” shipment of corals. 2 hammers, one frogspawn, and 5 Zoa frags from Coral Stop. I plan to dip all in a peroxide based solution upon arrival. I have a newly cycled 3 gal pico tank I could place them in to settle for a couple days and then re dip, and place in my main 75 gal display. My thoughts on the second dip is that it may remove any freshly hatched creatures that the first dip didn’t cover.

My question is, is it worthwhile to do that? I’m sure that does not exclude all pests and I’m not sure if the pico tank is a suitable environment for a long term QT with repeated dips and observation. Any advice? Flow in the pico tank is only one HOB filter FWIW. Thanks

 

[fishguy242]

Better safe than sorry, double dip,scrub gently ,rinse in SW ,repeat,watch ammonia in pico

 

[tchat]

Better safe than sorry, double dip,scrub gently ,rinse in SW ,repeat,watch ammonia in pico

If ammonia spikes water change or let it ride? I’ve heard ammonia isn’t harmful to corals im not sure that’s considered a consensus view

 

[fishguy242]

IMO , yes water change ,WIWD...

 

[Fish Fan]

If ammonia spikes water change or let it ride? I’ve heard ammonia isn’t harmful to corals im not sure that’s considered a consensus view

If you're adding only corals to a new tank, I would typically say that you don't have to worry about ammonia. The corals produce far less ammonia than a fish or two would, and you're right that corals can uptake and use ammonia directly, so a low level of ammonia is actually beneficial to corals.

That said, you're talking about a very small tank, so keep an eye on ammonia. If it gets to about 1.00 ppm or higher I would indeed take action and lower it with water changes. Don't trust things like Seachem Prime, these products do not mitigate ammonia as advertised.

 

[Jimbo327]

For corals, I would use a coral dip. I prefer melafix and potassium chloride mix, very gentle on corals, but deadly for pests. I usually let it "soak" for 15 mins in the solution. I would not dip corals in peroxide, it's too harsh...peroxide just the frag plug for algae. But if you have good clean up crew, don't even need peroxide.

 

[mcarroll]

Im getting in my first “large for me” shipment of corals. 2 hammers, one frogspawn, and 5 Zoa frags from Coral Stop. I plan to dip all in a peroxide based solution upon arrival. I have a newly cycled 3 gal pico tank I could place them in to settle for a couple days and then re dip, and place in my main 75 gal display. My thoughts on the second dip is that it may remove any freshly hatched creatures that the first dip didn’t cover.

My question is, is it worthwhile to do that? I’m sure that does not exclude all pests and I’m not sure if the pico tank is a suitable environment for a long term QT with repeated dips and observation. Any advice? Flow in the pico tank is only one HOB filter FWIW. Thanks

Sounds like you're buying from a source you suspect or know to be sketchy. Guessing that you're also buying sight-unseen. Don't do that.

There's no reason corals should come with pests. If they are, IMO find a better source.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IME dips do nothing against the true pests.... aptaisai, hydroids, bubble algae, vermatids, some flatworms.... they all get past the dip. I also think that manhandling corals and repeatedly dipping them is very stressful for them, I feel once they are in the tank they should not be touched any more.

I also agree that peroxide is too harsh for most corals, I've damaged a few corals with peroxide.

 

[tchat]

Sounds like you're buying from a source you suspect or know to be sketchy. Guessing that you're also buying sight-unseen. Don't do that.

There's no reason corals should come with pests. If they are, IMO find a better source.

This is my first experience with the vendor. I found the prices very compelling (may have been a sale going on) and they are in my state so hopefully that means shorter transit times and less stress. I’m new to the hobby so I’m trying to be extra paranoid about pests and biosecurity without having a dedicated, multi stage intake/coral QT system. Appreciate your perspective!

 

[fishguy242]

This is my first experience with the vendor. I found the prices very compelling (may have been a sale going on) and they are in my state so hopefully that means shorter transit times and less stress. I’m new to the hobby so I’m trying to be extra paranoid about pests and biosecurity without having a dedicated, multi stage intake/coral QT system. Appreciate your perspective!

Where about in Illinois ?

 

[tchat]

This is my first experience with the vendor. I found the prices very compelling (may have been a sale going on) and they are in my state so hopefully that means shorter transit times and less stress. I’m new to the hobby so I’m trying to be extra paranoid about pests and biosecurity without having a dedicated, multi stage intake/coral QT system. Appreciate your perspective!

Where about in Illinois ?

Im in Edwardsville, near St Louis.

 

[fishguy242]

45 & 50 just south of Louisville IL, ever need anything don't hesitate to hit me up...

 

[mcarroll]

This is my first experience with the vendor. I found the prices very compelling (may have been a sale going on) and they are in my state so hopefully that means shorter transit times and less stress. I’m new to the hobby so I’m trying to be extra paranoid about pests and biosecurity without having a dedicated, multi stage intake/coral QT system. Appreciate your perspective!

Just to provide an alternate read on a situation like that.

If someone had "problem" inventory that was about to expire (don't care if it's a grocey or frag vendor) they will put it on sale to move it out "before it's too late".

That's probably fine if we're talking about canned hams and oreos. Probably less fine if we're talking about coral frags.

"Cheap" can quickly become "expensive".

When you're an expert later on then the sky can be the limit....but at least when you're starting out, buy locally from somewhere you can see what you're buying and where you have at least some chance of judging the character of the people you're buying from. (Unless you dont have an option.....in which can you're in the same boat I am.)