Coral Acclimation & Dipping Guide

Your new corals have arrived, and it is time to introduce them to their new home. Before adding any fresh specimen directly to your display, taking a few minutes to properly dip and acclimate your livestock is the single best step you can take to protect your reef’s ecosystem.

What You’ll Need

• Coral Dip: High-quality commercial coral dip solution (such as CoralRX or PolypLab Reef Primer). Don’t have any on hand? Coral dips can be purchased separately right here on our site — see Coral Dips under the Aquarium Supplies menu.
• Container: A clean, light-colored or clear plastic container (like a spare tub).
• Tools: A pair of small tweezers and a turkey baster.
• Optional: A soft-bristled toothbrush for gently cleaning unwanted base algae.
• Time: About 20 minutes.

Step-by-Step Acclimation & Dip Procedure

1. Temperature Equalization: Float your newly arrived specimens in their sealed shipping bags directly inside your display aquarium for 10 to 15 minutes to match the water temperature.
2. Initial Rinse & Inspection: Open the bags and combine the shipping water with tank water at a 50/50 ratio inside your dipping container. Carefully inspect the specimen for any hitchhikers, detritus, or unwanted microalgae, brushing the hard base gently if needed.
3. The Coral Dip: Add your coral dip solution to the container water following the manufacturer’s exact mixing instructions. Submerge the coral and use your turkey baster to gently blow medicated water across all surfaces, making sure to reach into crevices and tight nooks where uninvited pests love to hide.
4. Final Rinse: Let the specimen sit in the treatment solution for the duration recommended by the dip manufacturer. Once complete, transfer the coral to a separate bowl of clean, fresh aquarium water to thoroughly rinse it off.

Your new livestock is now clean, safe, and ready to be placed in your aquarium. It’s a quick, easy, and essential routine that guarantees peace of mind for your entire reef system!