Double Dipping

[HardyG]

Hi all! After a long break from the hobby, I am working on revamping my old log of protocols that I kept handy for incoming coral deliveries, this one starting with zoanthids. For anyone with any tips or additions where I can make this better, please chime in. (Shout out to ChatGPT for helping with the charts)

Doing both CoralRx and Bayer on new corals offers a more comprehensive pest prevention method for people like me who are not QTing incoming corals than doing one or the other. Due to my lack of QT, I want to try to cover as much basis as I can.

Why Do Both?

Each dip targets different threats and offers unique advantages, so when used together (in proper order), they:

1. Maximize Pest Removal

Pest Type	Coral Rx	Bayer	Combined
Nudibranchs (adults)
Nudibranch eggs		(but slows hatching)	(manual removal needed)
Flatworms
Zoanthid spiders	Partial
Sundial snails
Eggs and hidden hitchhikers	Maybe	Maybe	(best chance)

By doing Coral Rx first, this loosens and dislodges visible pests.

By doing Bayer second, it will chemically wipe out anything left, especially hard-to-kill bugs (but not eggs).

2. Prevent Secondary Infections

• Coral Rx has very mild antiseptic properties.
• Coral Rx Can help reduce the chance of bacterial infections or zoa pox post-shipping or fragging.

My Plan:

1. Dip 1 – Coral Rx (1.25ml/cup)
   • 5–10 minutes
   • Swish or turkey baster blast
   • Rinse in clean tank water
2. Dip 2 – Bayer (5 mL per cup of water)
   • 10–15 minutes
   • Agitate occasionally
   • Rinse thoroughly in 2–3 separate containers of clean tank water (just to be safe)
3. Optional: Iodine Dip
   • For frags that were poorly cut, show damage, or just look irritated

Summary:

Benefit	Doing Just One	Doing Both (Rx + Bayer)
Pest kill coverage	Moderate	Maximum
Infection prevention	Only Coral Rx
Safe for most zoas		(if rinsed well)
Time required	~10 min	~25–30 min
Risk of introducing pests	Higher	Much lower

 

[ColorMeGone]

I dip once with SeaChem and finish with a mild peroxide dip to kill algaes. That Bayer stuff scares Me and I would not use it but that's up to you.

 

[HardyG]

I dip once with SeaChem and finish with a mild peroxide dip to kill algaes. That Bayer stuff scares Me and I would not use it but that's up to you.

I have wondered about the peroxide dips as well. They seem very popular. How has your experience been with the peroxide? Neither Bauer nor Coral Rx would do anything against algae, so maybe I should optionally add peroxide for visually “bad” looking frags in terms of algae.

Have you ever experimented with Bayer or just the harshness and precautionary things make you a little nervous to use it?

 

[ColorMeGone]

I have wondered about the peroxide dips as well. They seem very popular. How has your experience been with the peroxide? Neither Bauer nor Coral Rx would do anything against algae, so maybe I should optionally add peroxide for visually “bad” looking frags in terms of algae.

Have you ever experimented with Bayer or just the harshness and precautionary things make you a little nervous to use it?

Bayer is not meant for out hobby and seems a bit harsh and Maybe easily over dosed but that's just me. Coral Rx would be fine with a second dip using 20% Peroxide to 80% tank water. Some will say use more peroxide but again that's what I use and it works great for killing algae on the frag. I leave it in this mix for 2-3 minutes Max.

 

[HardyG]

Bayer is not meant for out hobby and seems a bit harsh and Maybe easily over dosed but that's just me. Coral Rx would be fine with a second dip using 20% Peroxide to 80% tank water. Some will say use more peroxide but again that's what I use and it works great for killing algae on the frag. I leave it in this mix for 2-3 minutes Max.

Yeah I thought the exact same thing the first time I tried Bayer. Didn’t understand how it made sense either. I tested for a while on really really cheap frags of my own or that friends were willing to give. I will have to add that peroxide mix as something to note. I usually change plugs out, but that is really useful if there is algae visible on the frag itself.

 

[Fish Fan]

The Bayer insecticide is perfectly safe to use, unless you live in California

Just kidding, I am not suggesting anyone uses the Bayer product unless they fully understand the risks.

Here's some guidelines on using hydrogen peroxide as a coral dip:

Peroxide dipping guidelines (for corals)

A while back Justin Credabel published this chart detailing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide appropriate for dipping various genera of corals. I've used these guidelines myself a few times to remove algae from coral frags and it's been quite effective. Justin Credabel's hydrogen...

humble.fish

 

[HardyG]

The Bayer insecticide is perfectly safe to use, unless you live in California

Just kidding, I am not suggesting anyone uses the Bayer product unless they fully understand the risks.

Here's some guidelines on using hydrogen peroxide as a coral dip:

Peroxide dipping guidelines (for corals)

A while back Justin Credabel published this chart detailing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide appropriate for dipping various genera of corals. I've used these guidelines myself a few times to remove algae from coral frags and it's been quite effective. Justin Credabel's hydrogen...

humble.fish

Thank you for linking that for me!

Also, have you found any coral that doesn’t take well to the Bayer? In the past I really only used it on some Zoas, hammers, Duncan’s, etc.

I have seen tons of people saying that use it basically on everything, but was just curious what your experience was!

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you for linking that for me!

Also, have you found any coral that doesn’t take well to the Bayer? In the past I really only used it on some Zoas, hammers, Duncan’s, etc.

I have seen tons of people saying that use it basically on everything, but was just curious what your experience was!

I've personally never used the Bayer product, but it's sold locally to me, and I personally wouldn't have a problem using it (I don't live in California ). I have been using a combination of CoralRx, Revive, and hydrogen peroxide. I haven't had a pest so awful that I felt like I had to use the Bayer product.

 

[HardyG]

I've personally never used the Bayer product, but it's sold locally to me, and I personally wouldn't have a problem using it (I don't live in California ). I have been using a combination of CoralRx, Revive, and hydrogen peroxide. I haven't had a pest so awful that I felt like I had to use the Bayer product.

Gotcha! Seems like the hydrogen peroxide dip is pretty common! I’ll have to check it out! I love testing new things!

Just to clarify, I have never had a reason to think I NEED something as strong as Bayer, I just like the idea of everything with a nervous system not making it out of the dip!! Good or bad!

 

[HardyG]

@Fish Fan, have you messed around with KoralMD at all? I see it is offered on Amazon now, but coral Rx is not?? When did that happen? Are the 2 interchangeable?

 

[Fish Fan]

@Fish Fan, have you messed around with KoralMD at all? I see it is offered on Amazon now, but coral Rx is not?? When did that happen? Are the 2 interchangeable?

I have not used KoralMD, I don't know if it's the same as CoralRx. CoralRx is available at BRS and SaltwaterAquarium.com currently.

 

[Justdrew]

If you've been out for awhile one of the most common dips for acros now is Potassium Chloride.

 

[HardyG]

I have not used KoralMD, I don't know if it's the same as CoralRx. CoralRx is available at BRS and SaltwaterAquarium.com currently.

Gotcha! I may just stay with the tried and true CoralRX. Time for my 500th BRS order!

 

[beardedman11]

I dip once with SeaChem and finish with a mild peroxide dip to kill algaes. That Bayer stuff scares Me and I would not use it but that's up to you.

What ratio do you use for h2o2?

 

[Fish Fan]

What ratio do you use for h2o2?

This has been helpful for me:

Peroxide dipping guidelines (for corals)

A while back Justin Credabel published this chart detailing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide appropriate for dipping various genera of corals. I've used these guidelines myself a few times to remove algae from coral frags and it's been quite effective. Justin Credabel's hydrogen...

humble.fish

 

[beardedman11]

What ratio do you use for h2o2?

This has been helpful for me:

Peroxide dipping guidelines (for corals)

A while back Justin Credabel published this chart detailing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide appropriate for dipping various genera of corals. I've used these guidelines myself a few times to remove algae from coral frags and it's been quite effective. Justin Credabel's hydrogen...

humble.fish

Thx I saw your comment and replied so I wouldn’t forget. lol And then scrolled down and saw that link.

 

[ColorMeGone]

What ratio do you use for h2o2?

I have never read that thread but I use 80% tank water, 20% Peroxide for 2-3 min. Very mild and effective for me and my critters. Zoes, Palys, Blue Anthelias, GSP, shrooms, and Acans.

 

[bradreef]

I use peroxide more than anything. I go up to 50% on easy corals like zoa's. I try to stick to 20% or do with Acro's and no more than 2 minutes. I just brought in a maricultured acro the other day. 8 min in Bayer, then 2 min peroxide. Shaking it off in the water multiple times.

 

[RobertK]

Nice chart!

I've been following the procedure in this article, which describes double dipping with CoralRx and Bayer, for many years without ill effect. Except I don't always remove the frag from the plug before dipping, unless it is a maricultured specimen.

How to thoroughly quarantine your Corals by Michael Paletta

 

[HardyG]

Nice chart!

I've been following the procedure in this article, which describes double dipping with CoralRx and Bayer, for many years without ill effect. Except I don't always remove the frag from the plug before dipping, unless it is a maricultured specimen.

How to thoroughly quarantine your Corals by Michael Paletta

This is a great write up! I have had great success with it as well. Glad to see that a world renowned reefer shares similar practices. Makes me feel better and more confident that i am giving myself a good chance at removing pests. I have some acans and favias coming in next week that I haven’t had before, so I will add those to my list of successful dips hopefully!