Care
Mar 13, 2026
How do I dip new corals before adding them to my reef tank?
Quick Answer
Use a coral dip in a separate container for 5–10 minutes, inspect for pests, then rinse in clean saltwater before placing the coral in your tank.
Dip every new coral before it enters your display tank. A coral dip helps remove common hitchhikers like flatworms, nudibranchs, and small crustaceans that can spread quickly in a reef system.
What you need
- Clean container with tank-temperature saltwater
- Coral dip solution (follow label directions)
- Turkey baster or pipette
- Gloves and eye protection
- Second container with clean saltwater for rinse
Step-by-step coral dipping process
- Mix the dip correctly: Add the recommended dose to a container of saltwater from your tank (or freshly mixed matching salinity and temperature).
- Inspect first: Check frag plugs and undersides for eggs, aiptasia, or visible pests.
- Dip for 5–10 minutes: Keep the coral in the dip solution for the manufacturer’s recommended time.
- Agitate gently: Use a turkey baster to blast water around tissue and plug to dislodge pests.
- Rinse thoroughly: Move coral to a second container of clean saltwater before it goes into your tank.
- Place in lower light first: New corals can be stressed from shipping and dipping. Start lower in the tank and acclimate to final light over several days.
Important tips
- Do not pour dip water into your display tank.
- Most dips do not kill eggs, so inspect again over the next 1–2 weeks.
- For sensitive species, shorten dip time and watch for stress.
- If possible, quarantine new corals before display placement.
Want to stock your tank safely? Browse vetted frags in the ReefBay marketplace, then track your acclimation and parameters in the ReefBay app.
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