First I've got to say I just LOVE the Talking Reef Pod Casts!!! They are so informative! Kudo's to you Rob for a job very well Done!
Ok, here's my question. Once I get a coral home, I've heard that I should do a "dip" to rid it of any undesirables.. Could someone tell me some details I should know.
What do I dip it into?
Do you dip one type of coral into one type of solution, and other types into a differant solution?
If this has already been covered, please direct me to the right thread or (hopefully) podcast
As for the dips, I personally haven't done any my self. But it seems like a very good idea.
In the few posts i've read, I've heard mention of Fresh Water dips (RO/DI water only), Fresh Water and Iodine dips, and comercial dips (as last resorts, some are very aggresive and may take out more than just the pest).
With this small amount of info, it just raised a few questions. Which led to this post.
So I would love to hear about any dips you all might have done.
I use a QT tank and try not to do dips, unless I have to.
I would never do a dip just incase there were some nasties tagging along. A dip will kill off your coraline algae, pods or any other hitch hikers that might come with a coral or LR.
A dip is not a quick fix for anything, just ask Gwen. I have done FW dips a few times and have always lost more good life than bad, and always had to repeat dip. I have read of people doing a FW dip on all new corals then adding them to there tank. IMO this will accomplish little or nothing sense the odds of getting all the nasties in the first dip is nil.
I use dips all the time! Bean dip, chili cheese dip, caramel dip, veggie dip.... you get the idea. biggest and bestest advice, invest a few bucks into a QT tank it's MUCH more effective.
I've done FW dips on clams (when fighting the pinched mantle disease). I've also used SeaChem Reef Dip from time to time when I suspected flatworms etc. Dips have always worked for me. I only QT fish for the most part. I don't buy corals from LFS...period. Only frags from trusted friends' tanks. I'm the zero impact kind of guy.
Corals are tougher than you think. I've accidentially left them out of water for hours during fragging projects. They bounce back fine. Again, although temp issues, salinity, etc. can wipe out a coral fast...they are a little tougher than we think. Otherwise, they'd not be some of the oldest living things in our oceans.
whole reefs, lagoons & shallow pools in some parts are exposed to air and dirrect sunlight for hours a day. even some inner reefs around the world are exposed to salinaty changes and temp fluctuation with fresh water run-offs! im in agreeance with dave on this issue, some corals can be supprisingly hardy! it comes down to addaptability. the problems arise with excessive adverse exposure, in the worlds current state we are starting to lose all the less hardy and addaptable corals to something simple like a few deg. over normal rise in temp! Thats a whole other topic!
as for the dips, if you make the effort to recreate the dip in every fashion to what there accustom to minus the S/G you should be fine! osmotic differences dont make things explode! the just provide the means to unsure its uncomfortable enough to ether bunker in or let go! and stevo coraline algae is like the hardest thing to kill when you've created a dosing equalibrium within your 4walls! your 2 min dip wouldn't even set-off a ripple!
QT it first, then dip/medicate/return if you notice anything. For coral a QT doesn't need to be anything more than a cheap 5g tank, small powerhead (not aimed directly at the coral!), a 6500+K compact flourescent light or whatever might be appropriate to slowly acclimate it to your display tank lighting, and frequent partial water changes. It'll save you tons of hassles in the long run and since it will only run for a few weeks when you buy livestock it really isn't very expensive.
whole reefs, lagoons & shallow pools in some parts are exposed to air and dirrect sunlight for hours a day. even some inner reefs around the world are exposed to salinaty changes and temp fluctuation with fresh water run-offs! im in agreeance with dave on this issue, some corals can be supprisingly hardy! it comes down to addaptability. the problems arise with excessive adverse exposure, in the worlds current state we are starting to lose all the less hardy and addaptable corals to something simple like a few deg. over normal rise in temp! Thats a whole other topic!
as for the dips, if you make the effort to recreate the dip in every fashion to what there accustom to minus the S/G you should be fine! osmotic differences dont make things explode! the just provide the means to unsure its uncomfortable enough to ether bunker in or let go! and stevo coraline algae is like the hardest thing to kill when you've created a dosing equalibrium within your 4walls! your 2 min dip wouldn't even set-off a ripple!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustDavidP
I've done FW dips on clams (when fighting the pinched mantle disease). I've also used SeaChem Reef Dip from time to time when I suspected flatworms etc. Dips have always worked for me. I only QT fish for the most part. I don't buy corals from LFS...period. Only frags from trusted friends' tanks. I'm the zero impact kind of guy.
Corals are tougher than you think. I've accidentially left them out of water for hours during fragging projects. They bounce back fine. Again, although temp issues, salinity, etc. can wipe out a coral fast...they are a little tougher than we think. Otherwise, they'd not be some of the oldest living things in our oceans.
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I'm not speaking about the ability of the coral to survive the air or FW. Just all the other life on the LR. The things I have seen float off my LR when FW dipped.
We preach "Don't Dose what you don't test for!" Then Why Medicate and Dip with out QT? Whats next? Roll up a paper and hit the dog cuse it might poop on the floor???
IF a dip is needed then fine, Dip away. just don't do it without cause.
Why did the last LR I FW dipped turn white and is still not totally re-encrusted with coraline? and why does coraline dye when I do a water change and it is exposed to the air?
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