How Necessary is Dipping New Corals?

[LovinlifeinGuam]

I understand that dipping new corals is a good practice to follow but just how necessary is it? I know the risk of hitchhikers is higher if you don't dip but what are the other benefits of dipping and how risky is it to skip?

 

[happyhourhero]

It’s like practicing safe pillow talk. It’s ok to be risky until it isn’t and the results are catastrophic.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

It’s like practicing safe pillow talk. It’s ok to be risky until it isn’t and the results are catastrophic.

I realize that but I was more wondering if it helped the coral itself in any way

 

[happyhourhero]

I realize that but I was more wondering if it helped the coral itself in any way

It removes pests from the coral that would ultimately kill them and their neighbors.

 

[A Young Reefer]

I realize that but I was more wondering if it helped the coral itself in any way

Without a doubt dipping corals is a practice that you won’t regret the least bit.

 

[Woodyman]

I realize that but I was more wondering if it helped the coral itself in any way

If you dip appropriately and the coral is otherwise healthy there really isn't a downside to dipping.

 

[Woodyman]

I realize that but I was more wondering if it helped the coral itself in any way

Dipping can be used as well to prevent bacterial infections from coming into your tank.

They not only prevent hitchhikers, but can be used from a treatment standpoint as well.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Ok well it's probably worth it then...the corals I have right now were pretty inexpensive so I didn't buy dip but I'm going to be adding a couple nicer pieces soon so it sounds like a good investment

Dipping can be used as well to prevent bacterial infections from coming into your tank.

They not only prevent hitchhikers, but can be used from a treatment standpoint as well.

 

[shakacuz]

think long term. avoiding to dip now could mean trouble later down the road when your tank is riddled with aiptasia, bubble algae, bryopsis, AEFW, MEFW, zoa spider's, ZEN's, etc...

the ONE time i didn't dip, i ended up with a tank filled with bryopsis within a month. then it took me longer to eradicate it. from time to time i'll see new roots sprout, but my CUC is now ready for anything.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Any dip recommendations??

 

[shakacuz]

Any dip recommendations??

coral rx, seachem reef dip, two little fishes revive, and polyp lab reef primer are the common choices for most.

potassium chloride (for acro's), and bayer insect dip (for all other corals) seem to be what more "experienced reefers" or collectors/vendors use from what i've read.

edit: personally i use coralrx pro, and polyplab reef primer. i will eventually start using the bayer dip and potassium chloride once i transfer my tank to a 75G i am working on.

 

[reefiniteasy]

The dirty jokes and comparisons that this thread requires are endless. Always use protection! Hahahahahaha

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

coral rx, seachem reef dip, two little fishes revive, and polyp lab reef primer are the common choices for most.

potassium chloride (for acro's), and bayer insect dip (for all other corals) seem to be what more "experienced reefers" or collectors/vendors use from what i've read.

edit: personally i use coralrx pro, and polyplab reef primer. i will eventually start using the bayer dip and potassium chloride once i transfer my tank to a 75G i am working on.

Bayer is harsh all around I suggest KCL for acros. Also heard good things about polyp lab primer and UCI coral cleanser but haven’t tied them yet

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I always dip, but not right out of the bag. I believe dipping right out of the bag can be too stressful. I always set up a 2g qt with water from the display tank and observe 24 hrs. I then do a 24 hr interceptor bath, then I dip and remount and put them where I want them to go.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Which products contain potassium chloride?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Potassium chloride. That’s it.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Potassium chloride. That’s it.

 

[jeffww]

I always dip and always remount the coral, even if it means throwing a way a large hunk of encrusted base. If I had space I would keep the base in a quarantine system, but I don't and 2-3 months of growth is not worth wiping out a 3 year old system.

 

[MaxTremors]

think long term. avoiding to dip now could mean trouble later down the road when your tank is riddled with aiptasia, bubble algae, bryopsis, AEFW, MEFW, zoa spider's, ZEN's, etc...

the ONE time i didn't dip, i ended up with a tank filled with bryopsis within a month. then it took me longer to eradicate it. from time to time i'll see new roots sprout, but my CUC is now ready for anything.

Dipping won’t stop aiptasia, bubble algae, bryopsis, or zoa spiders. It basically only kills invertebrates on the outside of the coral/plug/rock. Algae and anemones aren’t affected. If you want to avoid all hitchhikers you have to dip, remove the coral from the plug/rock, quarantine, and the dip again, and even then stuff will still get through. I dip most corals (I do skip it if it’s a shipment that has been delayed, in that situation I think it can do more harm than good), but I think a good inspection is better for detecting potentially dangerous pests. Personally, I welcome most hitchhikers, when I dip a coral and a harmless hitchhiker comes out, I try to save them.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Dipping won’t stop aiptasia, bubble algae, bryopsis, or zoa spiders. It basically only kills invertebrates on the outside of the coral/plug/rock. Algae and anemones aren’t affected. If you want to avoid all hitchhikers you have to dip, remove the coral from the plug/rock, quarantine, and the dip again, and even then stuff will still get through. I dip most corals (I do skip it if it’s a shipment that has been delayed, in that situation I think it can do more harm than good), but I think a good inspection is better for detecting potentially dangerous pests. Personally, I welcome most hitchhikers, when I dip a coral and a harmless hitchhiker comes out, I try to save them.

I'm planning on dipping an acro for the first time with potassium chloride...how stressful it this for the coral? I know acros are pretty sensitive