New corals face three threats during transition: water chemistry shock, light shock, and hitchhiker pests. A proper acclimation protocol addresses all three.
Step 1: Drip acclimate
Drip-acclimate over 60 minutes to match parameters gradually. Sudden chemistry shifts cause tissue recession.
Step 2: Coral dip
Use Bayer or CoralRx dip for 5–10 minutes to kill aiptasia eggs, flatworms, and red bugs.
Step 3: Light acclimation
Place new corals at substrate level for 1 week, then move up gradually over 2 more weeks.
Every new coral is a potential vector for Aiptasia eggs, flatworms, red bugs, and montipora-eating nudibranchs. Dipping is non-negotiable.Bayer AdvancedActive ingredient imidacloprid.…
Both methods remove phosphate effectively. They suit different tank sizes and different operator personalities.GFO (granular ferric oxide)Passive, predictable, slow. Set in a…
Reef-keepers’ notes
Be helpful, cite your tank specs, and skip the spam — we moderate. Your email never appears publicly.