How do you add coral?

So generally, for soft corals, being in contact with the air isn't a problem?

And pretty much just drip acclimate in a bucket then do water change in bucket? Then I can add the coral to my tank?

 

For softies, I float the bag for a half hour (with the lights off) to get it to temperature. I then test the SG of the water in the bag and then compare it to the SG of the aquarium. (Hopefully, it's similar. With that said, I've found some LFS's improperly keeping corals as low as 1.022). If the LFS water is at 1.025 or 1.026 I just do my dipping procedure right away, inspect the coral and the LR attached to the coral, then put it in the tank.

This procedure works. I've never once had an aiptasia or majano anemone in any of my tanks.

 

Question: "Inwall" .... how long do you quarantee them and how?

 

Pelado, I really can't answer this question. There are so many species of corals and I treat them differently. For instance, for a zoanthid colony, I would do a freshwater dip with Lugol's and then watch it for a week. For a montipora, I most certainly wouldn't do a freshwater dip and I would probably use Flatworm Exit or Prazi-pro as opposed to Lugol's for the dip and I would likely watch it for 3 weeks in QT at a minimum.

It's probably best just to ask about your specific coral.

Once dipped, keeping it in QT is easy. A cheap tank, a cheap light, a cheap powerhead. I'm not worried about them growing while in QT, I'm worried about parasites and hitchhikers.

 

A freshwater dip for softies? What about polyps?

 

Thanks sooo much for your response. I truly appreciate it.... just having problems with some zoas that after a week are not opening. My water parameters are fine and all other corals are doing great. So again thanks a lot !!!

 

Wow...I never thought you had to QT corals too!!!

 

I always acclimate them by floating the bag in the tank for about 30 minutes, adding water from the aquarium slowly and then make sure you don't add the water from the bag into the tank. Always worked for me.... but you can always use the drip method.
Best wishes to you

 

Dip then quarantine. I've already been bitten hard by monti eating nudibranchs and red bugs. If you don't dip and quarantine, it's only a matter of time before we're all bitten

 

Yeah, quaranteen is definitely the best option. If you can accomodate a quarantee tank, then go for it!