Experience with dipping Hawkins echinata?

BranchingHammer · Dec 7, 2020

Hi everyone,
I am picking up a frag pack that includes a hawkins echinata this month. I have heard that smooth skins are very sensitive to some dips, so I would like some advice before dipping mine. I use ME coral wash off to dip all of my corals (including acros), but I'm wondering if this will be okay? It's made up of pine and other natural extracts. Does anyone have experience with this dip or similar and whether it would be okay to dip a smoothie in it?

On another note, is it worth switching to Bayer? Does it have better pest removal action (specifically AEFW/red bugs removal)? Is Bayer better for smooth skins? What packaging of Bayer is safe to use? (I heard they changed the packaging recently.)

Sorry for all of the questions, thanks in advance!

BYU · Dec 7, 2020

i find hawkins is super sensitive to most dips
i’m afraid to tell u what to use cause a lot of people i know had problems with just hawkins after the dip
i use expel and then dip with pro coral rx but it is strong

OnPointCorals · Dec 7, 2020

Dip Hawkins in just about all the hobby available dips and it's a sure goner. It is super sensitive, ships poorly and can't stand being dipped.

BranchingHammer · Dec 7, 2020

Since I don't have a coral QT tank, should I just take the risk? I'm pretty paranoid about pests currently...

OnPointCorals · Dec 7, 2020

BranchingHammer said:
Since I don't have a coral QT tank, should I just take the risk? I'm pretty paranoid about pests currently...

Negative. Bayer is the gentlest and you could do a slightly shorter dip. That will give it a chance. I am telling you I tested time and time again and can tell you for certain dip Hawkins with coral rx or revive (I don't have any experience with ME) and it will peel hours later 8 times out of 10. Especially if it has just shipped in.

scchase · Dec 7, 2020

Bayer is the only one I have found that doesnt kill smoothskins

BranchingHammer · Dec 7, 2020

Do you have pictures of the label on your bayer containers? I will go look at Adam's thread from @Battlecorals about dipping with bayer for dosage.

BYU · Dec 7, 2020

bayer is different now
i would use half strength of what ever you use
cut the plug off and
blast it with turkey baster
i dip everything including my hawkins when i got it.
back then i used bayer about 2-3 years ago but i recently used the newer one and it killed my new frags
my fault though i dipped 3x 15 min
just in case
now using expel and coral rx pro x 2