0
Coral Life

Acclimation

Proper Acclimation of New Corals

Acclimating new coral arrivals is crucial to reduce stress and ensure a smooth transition into your reef tank. Due to the stress your coral has already experienced during shipping, following this procedure will help minimize additional shock and support its successful integration.

This entire process is straightforward and should take less than 30 minutes to complete.

Step 1: Turn Off the Aquarium Lights

The coral has been in complete darkness during shipping and will need time to adjust to your aquarium’s lighting. Turn off the lights to prevent unnecessary stress from immediate exposure to intense lighting. Prolonged exposure to high-intensity lighting can damage corals that have been grown under lower light conditions.

Step 2: Empty the Containers into a Slightly Larger Tub

We recommend using a small plastic tub to acclimate your new corals. You can place individual corals into separate tubs if preferred, but we typically place all corals together in one tub. This provides enough space to add aquarium water and prepare any pest control dip solution.

Step 3: Gradually Add Aquarium Water

Slowly add 1/2 cup of aquarium water every few minutes to the tub. The gradual process helps minimize sudden changes in pH and salinity, which corals and other invertebrates are sensitive to. While some aquarists prefer a drip acclimation method, we recommend a slower process, as it can prevent temperature drop-offs during the acclimation period. The acclimation process should take no more than 30 minutes.

Step 4: Pest Control Dip (Optional)

While the KFC Dip is excellent for reducing stress, we also recommend using a pest control dip to help ensure your new corals are free from any unwanted hitchhikers or parasites. Common pests include flatworms, nudibranchs, and red bugs, which can harm your coral once introduced into the tank.

Two popular pest control dips are:

  • Coral Rx – Effectively targets a wide range of pests, including flatworms and nudibranchs.
  • Revive – A gentle yet effective dip for removing pests without harming the coral.

To use a pest control dip:

  1. Prepare the dip solution according to the instructions on the packaging.
  2. Submerge the coral in the solution for the recommended duration (usually 5-10 minutes).
  3. Rinse the coral gently in fresh aquarium water after the dip to remove any remaining chemicals.

Step 5: The KFC Dip (Stress Reduction)

After completing the pest control dip (if used), we recommend using the KFC Dip (Kung Fu Corals Dip) for stress reduction and promoting the overall health of your corals. The KFC Dip is particularly beneficial for Euphyllia species, which are prone to stress-related issues like brown jelly disease.

To use the KFC Dip:

  1. Prepare the KFC Dip solution according to the instructions.
  2. Submerge the coral for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Rinse gently with fresh aquarium water after dipping.

Step 6: Release the Coral into Your Tank

Once acclimated, carefully place the coral into a suitable location within your tank that offers appropriate flow and lower lighting. The coral will need a few days to adjust to the lighting in your display tank.

If you have a quarantine system, we recommend first acclimating the coral there. After the quarantine period, repeat the acclimation process when introducing the coral into your main display tank.