Coral Dipping Reference Guide
The Core Products
Coral Rx (and Coral Rx Pro)
The most widely used dip in the UK hobby. Mix ~20ml per 4 litres of tank water, dip 5–10 minutes. Good all-rounder for flatworms, nudibranchs, and various worms. Less effective against embedded pests like AEFW eggs. Generally safe for all coral types.
Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer
A garden insecticide concentrate (imidacloprid) widely adopted by reefers. Mix ~15–20ml per litre, dip 5–10 minutes, rinse thoroughly. Extremely effective against AEFW, red bugs, and soft-bodied pests. Doesn't kill eggs — repeat dips at 1-week intervals (3 total) are needed. Safe for SPS; use caution on fleshy LPS.
Two Little Fishies Revive
An iodine-based cleaner/dip. Gentler than Coral Rx or Bayer. Good for sensitive corals or as a post-shipping dip, but not a primary pest treatment.
Lugol's Iodine
Concentrated iodine solution. A few drops per litre, 5 minutes max. Best for bacterial infections and brown jelly disease. Easy to overdose — use carefully.
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
Very short dip (30 seconds to 2 minutes) or spot treatment. Good for algae on frag plugs. Will damage tissue with prolonged exposure.
A Common Dipping Protocol
- Coral Rx dip — 10 minutes with agitation
- Inspect the dip water — look for worms, bugs, snails
- Rinse in clean saltwater
- For SPS: Bayer dip — if AEFW or red bugs are a concern
- Final rinse in clean saltwater
- Place in quarantine or the display tank
Quick Reference Table
| Pest | Best Dip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AEFW | Bayer (3x weekly) | Eggs survive, repeat essential |
| Red bugs | Bayer (3x weekly) | Same protocol as AEFW |
| Monti-eating nudibranchs | Coral Rx + Bayer | Check under magnification |
| Zoa spiders/nudibranchs | Coral Rx | Agitate thoroughly |
| Sundial snails | Coral Rx | Check base of colony |
| Brown jelly disease | Lugol's iodine | Short dip, treat promptly |
| Algae on frag plug | H2O2 spot treatment | Keep off coral tissue |
When picking up new frags from UK sellers on Reefsy, having the dip station set up before the parcel arrives makes the whole process seamless.
What dipping products and routines have worked well for others?
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