How to Dip and Acclimate New Corals: Step-by-Step Guide

Every new coral can bring hitchhikers: flatworms, nudibranchs, red bugs, aiptasia or coral-eating crabs. Dipping corals before they go in your tank is the simplest way to keep pests out. With a little practice it takes about 20 minutes per batch.

What you'll need

Two or three clean plastic containers used only for the aquarium
A coral dip, such as Coral RX Pro, Seachem Reef Dip or Red Sea DipX. See all treatments and dips.
A turkey baster or pipette
An acclimation kit such as the TMC Acclimation Kit
Gloves, a heater or thermometer to keep the water at tank temperature

Step 1: Temperature acclimation

Float the sealed bag in your tank for 15–20 minutes so the water inside reaches tank temperature. Turn the lights down to reduce stress.

Step 2: Prepare the dip

Fill a container with water from your aquarium (never use new salt water at a different temperature or salinity). Add the dip at the dose on the label. Some dips, such as Coral RX, are used at a set strength per litre; others need longer or shorter exposure. Always follow the instructions for the product you use.

Step 3: Dip the coral

Move the coral into the dip with gloved hands or tongs.
Use a baster to blast water gently across the coral, under the plug and into crevices. Pests drop off into the container.
Leave the coral for the recommended time, usually 5–15 minutes, basting every few minutes.
Check the bottom of the container for flatworms, bugs or other pests that have fallen off.

Step 4: Rinse

Move the coral into a second container of clean tank water and baste again to remove any remaining dip and pests. Some keepers rinse twice.

Step 5: Inspect and clean the frag

Look closely, ideally with a torch or magnifier, for eggs on the plug or base, especially with acropora and montipora. Scrape off eggs, algae or hitchhiking aiptasia. Our guide How to Get Rid of Aiptasia and Reef Pests shows what to look for.

Step 6: Place the coral low in the tank

Place new corals low and in moderate flow at first, then move them up over a week or two if they need more light. Secure the frag with reef glue or a frag rack from our frag racks and plugs.

Should you quarantine corals too?

Dipping removes most pests, but not every egg. A separate quarantine tank for four to eight weeks is the most thorough approach, especially for SPS corals. Read Setting Up a Quarantine Tank.