IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
The information below is a collection of techniques we've gathered from other hobbyists, forums, and vendors that we cannot take credit for. It is intended to give our customers and other hobbyist's a quick reference for dosages of different dips and what they are used for. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OUTCOME THAT MAY ARISE FROM FOLLOWING OUR PROCEDURES. DIP AND HANDLE CORALS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE BELOW DOSAGES ARE NOT 100% GUARANTEED TO CURE AILMENTS OR KILLS PESTS. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, GLOVES GLASSES, ETC WHEN DIPPING OR FRAGGING CORALS. SOME CORALS HAVE EXTREMELY POTENT TOXINS THAT CAN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILL YOU. We highly recommend using these practices in conjunction with a coral quarantine system to help prevent a destructive pest or ailment from entering your display system.
Hydrogen Peroxide Dip
Used as a pest algae remover from frag plugs on soft corals/lps. Do not use on SPS. Uses standard 3% hydrogen peroxide found at any store.
Directions:
1. Prepare new saltwater using the same salt used for normal water changes, making sure to match temp and salinity. Split water into two containers, one for the dip and one to rinse the affected specimen.
2. Mix ratio is 1 part peroxide to 10 parts saltwater. Pour peroxide into water and stir briefly- adding small powerhead if possible.
3. Put affected specimen in mixture, let soak for 5-10 mins, and use a turkey baster to gently move the water over the specimen, targeting affected areas. Use soft make-up brush to gently wipe away any films or algae’s on the coral's tissue, and an old toothbrush to scrub algae off of the frag plug or rock rubble.
4. Rinse the specimen in the second container of water and return to tank.
5. Let specimen rest for 24 hours then repeat dip steps 1-3 for another 2 days, totaling 3 consecutive days of treatment. After the third day of treatment, let specimen rest for 1 week while monitoring its condition. If the specimen is still showing signs of ailment, repeat the 3 consecutive day dip cycle again.
Furan-2 Dip
Used for Zoa Pox. Uses API brand Furan-2 medication.
Directions:
1. Prepare new saltwater using the same salt used for normal water changes, making sure to match temp and salinity. Split water into two containers, one for the dip and one to rinse the affected specimen.
2. Mix ratio is one packet of furan-2 to one cup of water. Stir in packets until no powder is remaining, adding small powerhead if possible.
3. Put affected specimen in mixture and let soak for 15-20 mins (don’t exceed 30 mins) then rinse the specimen in the second container of water and return to tank.
Let specimen rest for 24 hours then repeat dip steps 1-3 for another 2 days, totaling 3 consecutive days of treatment. After the third day of treatment, let specimen rest for 1 week while monitoring its condition. If the specimen is still showing signs of ailment, repeat the 3 consecutive day dip cycle again.
Iodine Dip
Used as a more aggressive dip on soft corals/lps and as a disinfectant on freshly fragged corals. Uses Kent Marine brand Lugol’s Solution. NOTE; Some sensitive corals may not handle Iodine dipping as well as others.
Directions as Precautionary Dip:
1. Prepare some new saltwater, making sure to match temp and salinity. Split water into two containers, one for the dip and one to rinse the specimen.
2. Mix ratio is 40 drops per gallon of salt water. Add Lugols solution to dip container and briefly stir to mix.
3. Place affected specimen in dip for 10-15 minutes, then (wearing rubber gloves) pick up specimen, invert it, and aggressively swish it around for another minute or two. You may also want to use a soft brush (make up brushes work very well- only new or dedicated for coral, never used) to gently brush away any loosened material.
Directions as Dip for Freshly Fragged Corals:
1. Use tank water for fragging and dipping procedure, but prepare some fresh saltwater using the same salt used for normal water changes to replace the water used in dipping. DISCARD WATER USED FOR DIP & RINSE. Use freshly made saltwater as replacement for the tank water used for dip. Split tank water into two containers, one for the dip and one to rinse the soon to be fragged specimen.
2. Mix ratio is approximately 2-3 drops per quart of salt water (you’re aiming for a pale yellow tint to the water). Add Lugol’s solution to dip container and briefly stir, adding small powerhead if possible
3. Place freshly fragged specimen in dip for 3-4 minutes, then then rinse the in the second container of water and return to tank. Discard dip and rinse water.
Coral RX Dip
Used as a dip for newly acquired coral; can be used to treat most hitchhikers. Uses CoralRX brand coral dip.
Directions:
1. Use tank water for dipping procedure, but prepare some fresh saltwater using the same salt used for normal water changes to replace the water used in dipping. DISCARD WATER USED FOR DIP. Use freshly made saltwater as replacement for the tank water used for dip. Split tank water into two containers, one for the dip and one to rinse the specimen.
2. Mix ratio per gallon of dip:
Coral Rx: 20ml or 4 capfuls
Coral Rx Pro: 30 drops **** We use this bottle/dosage**
Coral Rx Industrial: 10 drops
Shake bottle of Coral Rx, then add dosage based on product to tank water and briefly stir to mix. Add small power head (if available) at this point.
3. Put affected specimen in mixture, let soak for 8-10 mins (if a small powerhead is not available, use a turkey baster to gently move the water over the specimen). Gently brush off coral tissue using a soft make-up brush, and thoroughly scrub skeletons/bases of lps with an old toothbrush to dislodge pests and disrupt egg sacks during the dip time. Do not reuse the coral dip as parasites may release toxins.
Rinse coral with clean saltwater and transfer directly into Bayer dip.
Bayer Advanced Insect Killer Dip
Used as a dip for newly acquired corals; can be used to treat most hitchhikers. Uses Bayer advanced insect killer in the blue bottle.
Directions:
1. Prepare new saltwater using the same salt used for normal water changes, making sure to match temp and salinity. Split water into three containers, one for the dip and two to rinse the new/affected specimen.
2. Our mix ratio is 150ml Bayer per gallon of saltwater. Pour in Bayer insect killer to one of the dip containers, adding small powerhead if possible.
3. Put affected specimen in mixture and let soak for 20 mins, then vigorously rinse the specimen in the second container of water, followed be rinsing again vigorously in the third container, and then return to tank.
Let specimen rest for 2 days, then repeat dip steps 1-3. Bi-weekly dipping is recommended to break the lifecycle of many pests.
