How to Dip Coral Before Adding to Your Tank

Why Coral Dipping is Essential

Every coral you bring into your tank is a potential Trojan horse. Even corals from the most reputable vendors can harbor pests that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. A single hitchhiking flatworm, nudibranch, or Acropora-eating flatworm (AEFW) can devastate your entire coral collection.

Coral dipping takes just 10-15 minutes and can save you from heartbreak, expensive losses, and the nightmare of battling an established pest population. Think of it as mandatory quarantine for your corals.

Common Coral Pests to Watch For

During and after dipping, look for these common pests:

• Acropora-Eating Flatworms (AEFW): Tiny, translucent worms that consume SPS tissue. Nearly invisible until damage appears.
• Montipora-Eating Nudibranchs: Small white nudibranchs that leave white trails on Monti caps.
• Red Flatworms (Planaria): Rust-colored flatworms that can quickly overrun a tank.
• Zoanthid-Eating Nudibranchs: Target zoanthid and palythoa colonies specifically.
• Bristleworms: Some species damage coral tissue, especially at night.
• Red Bugs: Tiny crustaceans that infest Acropora and stunt growth.
• Sundial Snails: Target zoanthids and can decimate a colony overnight.

Popular Coral Dip Products

CoralRx

One of the most popular and effective options. Safe for most corals including SPS, LPS, and soft corals. Follow the bottle instructions—typically 20-30 drops per gallon for 5-10 minutes.

Bayer Advanced Insect Killer

A budget-friendly option that many reefers swear by for AEFW. Use the concentrate (not ready-to-use). Mix at 10-15ml per gallon for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward. Note: While effective, this isn't designed for aquarium use—use at your own discretion.

ReVive Coral Cleaner

An iodine-based dip that's gentle and effective. Particularly good for stressed corals. Dip for 5-10 minutes.

Tropic Marin Pro-Coral Cure

German-made, well-tested formula. Effective against a wide range of pests while being gentle on corals.

Two Little Fishies Revive

Contains natural essential oils. Good for general pest prevention and removing mucus.

The Complete Dipping Process

What You'll Need

• Clean container (dedicated to coral dipping)
• Tank water (same temperature as your display)
• Coral dip of your choice
• Turkey baster or small powerhead
• Timer
• Flashlight (for inspection)
• Second container with clean tank water for rinsing

Step-by-Step Process

1. Prepare the Dip Solution

Fill your container with tank water and add the dip according to product instructions. Match the temperature to your tank—use a heater if necessary for longer dips.

2. Remove Coral from Bag

Carefully remove the coral from its shipping bag. Inspect the frag plug and base—pests often hide in crevices. Remove any visible hitchhikers before dipping.

3. Submerge and Agitate

Place the coral in the dip solution. Use a turkey baster to gently blast water over and around the coral, dislodging pests hiding in crevices. For branching corals like Acropora, blast between the branches.

4. Time the Dip

Follow product instructions, typically 5-15 minutes. Watch for pests falling off and signs of coral stress (excessive sliming, polyp retraction). If the coral shows extreme stress, remove it early.

5. Inspect the Water

Use a flashlight to examine the dip water. You'll often see pests that fell off—flatworms, tiny snails, bristleworms. This tells you the dip worked and what was potentially on the coral.

6. Rinse

Transfer the coral to clean tank water for a brief rinse (1-2 minutes). This removes residual dip solution before the coral enters your display.

7. Place in Tank

Add the coral to your aquarium. Place it in a lower-light area initially, then move to its permanent position once it acclimates.

Special Considerations by Coral Type

SPS Corals (Acropora, Montipora, etc.)

These benefit most from dipping since they're targeted by specific pests like AEFW. Consider using Bayer for initial dip (most effective against AEFW) followed by a CoralRx rinse.

LPS Corals

Generally tolerant of dipping. Be gentle with fleshy LPS like Scolymia or Cynarina—don't over-agitate.

Soft Corals & Zoanthids

Most soft corals handle dipping well. For zoanthids, inspect carefully for sundial snails and zoanthid-eating nudibranchs. Leather corals may slime excessively—this is normal.

Anemones

Be cautious dipping anemones. Some dips are safe, others may cause stress. When in doubt, use a gentler product or shorter dip time.

Multiple Dip Strategy

For high-value corals or after receiving corals with known pest issues, consider dipping multiple times over several days:

• Day 1: Initial dip upon arrival
• Day 4: Second dip to catch any pests that were eggs during the first dip
• Day 7-10: Third dip for complete pest cycle interruption

Keep new corals in a quarantine tank during this period if possible.

When Dipping Isn't Enough

Some pests require additional treatment:

• Red Bugs: Often require Interceptor treatment (prescription medication)
• Established AEFW: May need in-tank treatment and biological control (wrasses)
• Bristleworms: Manual removal with tweezers for problem species

Final Thoughts

Make coral dipping a non-negotiable part of your coral acquisition process. It takes just a few minutes and can prevent months of heartache battling pests. Even if you trust your source completely, dip anyway. Prevention is always easier than treatment.

Your future self—and your coral collection—will thank you.