Dipping corals...what's your product of choice?

[Mr Cob]

Well, we all know we should do it...but most of us don't. I for one am big into dipping now since I had red bugs a little over 6 months ago. That wasn't fun and I dip everything coming in now to avoid having to go through that again. I also quarantine corals for a few days in a small 8 gallon biocube after dipping to inspect.

So what dipping sollutions/pills do you use?

I'm about out and need to purchase more but wanted to see what others were doing and possibly change mine products. I've been using Lugols Iodine and some horse pills sold at the feed store (Steve turned me on to). I dip all incoming corals in both.

[txav8r]

I use the Lugols Iodine for all incoming corals.

[Bill S]

I believe that for red bugs, only interceptor works? I can't remember what kills AEFW.

[hobogato]

yep, this is called levasole (active ingredient is levamisole) it can be the bovine or porcine version. this is a strong dip for AEFW. definitely worth while, if you dont beleive me, search for my thread on battling them.....


......some horse pills sold at the feed store (Steve turned me on to)....

[hobogato]

oh yeah, wanted to add that the levasole is only necessary for acros (although some people claim to have infected their tank by adding infected blastos, etc.)

[Mr Cob]

Good to know on levasole. I did not know it was only for SPS.

Also...Bill, I yes... you are correct on Red Bugs/Interceptor...but I was thinking that during the dip...the main goal is to dip with an indirect powerhead or some sort of flow as to at least knock the potential threats off the coral and not necesarrily kill them.

Then inspect and hope you are pest free. If not...find out what you have and get what you need to kill them.

So here's the steps thus far.

1) Dip in Lugols solution 10 minutes with flow (all corals)
2) Dip in levasole (bovine or porsine) for 10 minutes with flow (acros only)
3) quarantine for inspecting
4) add to tank if pest free

Any suggestions? Any better products or processes?

Thanks for chiming in!

[txav8r]

yep, this is called levasole (active ingredient is levamisole) it can be the bovine or ursine version. this is a strong dip for AEFW. definitely worth while, if you dont beleive me, search for my thread on battling them.....


My feed store doesn't normally stock Bear medicine:D

[hobogato]

d'oh! i meant porcine :)

[Mr Cob]

LOL! I wouldn't have know...just took your word for it. Good catch Jack.

Anyone else dip differently?

[Europhyllia]

My feed store doesn't normally stock Bear medicine:D
but if it did you'd know it's okay to use :)

[Wryknow]

How do you dose the levasole? Just crush up a pill in a gallon or so of salt water?

[hobogato]

here is an excerpt from my AEFW thread:



here is the levamisole hydrochloride i am using. it is packaged as a sheep dewormer. i calculated one bolus (.184 grams) would treat 1 gallon 27 ounces. this translates to 5 boluses for 6 gallons of water

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/AEFW/levasole.jpg


here is the thread - not for the faint of heart.....

http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34799

[Mr Cob]

Yeah, I've been using 1 pill or boluses as they call them... per gallon. Crush it up to a powder and then add to tank water along with coral and a small powerhead. 10 minutes.

[Mr Cob]

dang Ace....miss that tank dude.

[snfkotara]

I like to use Warner Marine Coral Conditioner and Dip Dr.Mac told me about this and uses this also.

ReefPure Coral Dip and Conditioner has been used from the beaches of the South Pacific to the livestock dealers around the world and is widely recognized as the most effective product of its type. ReefPure Coral Dip and Conditioner uses a combination of anti-microbial and oxidative properties to safely prepare corals for placement in the aquarium. Warner Marine Research introduced Lugol's Solution to the hobby back in 1996 as an exciting new product achieving phenomenal results. Lugol's Solution was originally conceived as a useful product for assisting damaged corals and conditioning newly imported specimens. In fact, in 1997 the hobby was in a state of panic as a large number of stony corals were being imported with a fatal coral condition known as RTN (Rapid Tissue Necrosis) and Lugol's Solution was the recommended treatment until Warner Marine Research developed ReefPure Coral Dip and Conditioner which has become the current state of the art coral import and export conditioner.

Sometimes I add both ReefPure and Lugol's especially if I see any critters in the container or if I have a ill coral.

[Europhyllia]

Wow Sherry. That's great info. Thanks!

[Mr Cob]

Sherry, I was just about to send you a PM to ask you to post, I couldn't remember the name of the brand you use...where do you buy yours from?

Also, does this dip take care of everything or is it used in combination with anything?

[snfkotara]

I ordered mine from Dr.Mac because I dont know of any of the local fish stores that carry it. And I assume it kill it all and I know that it heals also. I have never experienced red bugs but as I drip acclimate I also am dipping. It is really safe and I think it even makes the coral feel better right away because they usually start opening up right in the acclimation container. I also use a bulb syringe (aka Baby Booger Sucker) to blow off any debris.

[Mr Cob]

Thanks, Sherry...

LOL..."Baby Booger Sucker"....you got me laughing out loud on that one!!!!

[Europhyllia]

I have never experienced red bugs but as I drip acclimate I also am dipping.

Okay so you add the meds to the shipping water?

[BIGBIRD123]

I now use ivomec which has the same active ingredients as interceptor but easier to get and this is my concoction (sp):

Levasole
Ivomec
Lugols

I use this on EVERYTHING for 8-10 mins. I would rather lose a coral, than lose the whole tank.

[snfkotara]

lol Glad I could give you a laugh Rob and I did call Aquarium Design and they also do not carry Warner Marine. So then I called John Warner and left him a message ask why is it so hard for our LFS to get his products. I really like all the ones I have gotten from Dr.Mac. And dont get me wrong I dont mind ordering it from him but if its friday and I didnt notice the last time I dipped something I was really low and I'm going do some frag swapping or fragging then I can't just zoom to town to get this great product.

[snfkotara]

Steve I know you have been in this way beyond me and I totally respect your opinions and recommendations but my thought ran straight to what if this is a very rare coral and not likely seen again?

[Mr Cob]

Steve, are you dosing each dip separately or all 3 together in one dip?

[Bill S]

Sounds like a group buy??

[Mr Cob]

I'd be interested.

[Europhyllia]

Sounds like a group buy??

lol that's what I was thinking :) Do we have any member in a more central location (more central than far NW) that could receive this shipment?

[snfkotara]

Well when they call me back tom. I will ask about group buys.

[Mr Cob]

Wonder if they'd be interested in sponsorship.

[snfkotara]

I was going to ask if IM allowed but I didnt want to step on any toes or do anything beyond charter member privileged.

[Mr Cob]

I was going to ask if IM allowed but I didnt want to step on any toes or do anything beyond charter member privileged.

If there's an interest you can refer them to any of the BOD members and then we will have a person from the sponsor committee contact them or we will.

[snfkotara]

Yes the owner John Warner.

[BIGBIRD123]

Rob, I mix it all together and dip it at the same time. I have never lost a coral to this dip. I know what you mean Sherry but even a rare coral can take down a tank. Clint (fishypets) lost his whole tank to some rare corals and his total was probably over $20K loss.

[Mr Cob]

Sherry, I'm saying, if you strum up an interest or pitch for an interest that would be the next steps.

Steve, thanks dude.

[BIGBIRD123]

i'd be interested too and add this to my swill...lol

[cbianco]

yep, this is called levasole (active ingredient is levamisole) it can be the bovine or porcine version. this is a strong dip for AEFW. definitely worth while, if you dont beleive me, search for my thread on battling them.....

Just as an FYI and CYA to our members...

Does this product require a prescription, like Interceptor (for canines, not bears :) )?

Christopher

[snfkotara]

Rob Sry got it.

[los.tejanos83]

Steve,

Is the Ivermec a.k.a. Ivermectin, used to treat heartworm in farm animals?

How many drops (lugols), how many cc (ivermec) per vol of water?

Angelo

[snfkotara]

pour on or injectable?

[snfkotara]

would I know if i have red bug on my acros right away?

[hobogato]

yes, you would see em if you look closely. the only problem is they can hide down in the coralite by the polyp.

here are a couple of pics - the redbugs are the yellow and red dots
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/bugs1.jpg

they are a little harder to see on this one and seemed to be much smaller
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/cuttle%20lagoon/PDRM3798.jpg (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/cuttle%20lagoon/PDRM3798.jpg)



would I know if i have red bug on my acros right away?

last time i got it a couple of years ago, no prescription was needed.


Just as an FYI and CYA to our members...

Does this product require a prescription, like Interceptor (for canines, not bears :) )?

Christopher

[subsailor]

pour on or injectable?pete uses a crushed pill for twenty five pound dogs. About the same as one cc of injectable. DO NOT USE POUR ON.

[subsailor]

Just as an FYI and CYA to our members...

Does this product require a prescription, like Interceptor (for canines, not bears :) )?

Christopher
no prescription is needed. It is readily available at any feed store.

[Mr Cob]

Sherry...let us know when they call you after you inquire about a group order prices and discounts.

[snfkotara]

So if you coral look healthy and meat isnt missing then likely I wouldnt have that I never seen any red chigger looking bug in any container I have dipped in. Maybe the next time anyone sees these little bug call me I would love to look at them under my microscope.

[hobogato]

i would just assume that anything you buy has them - they can be tough to see on corals in bags because the lighting isnt as good and they hide in the ends of the coralites. if you inspect the corals carefully, if you have them you will likely see them.

if you google "acro red bugs" you will find more pics than you would ever want to see...

[Mr Cob]

So if you coral look healthy and meat isnt missing then likely I wouldnt have that I never seen any red chigger looking bug in any container I have dipped in. Maybe the next time anyone sees these little bug call me I would love to look at them under my microscope.

These guys are pretty strong...I have only seen Interceptor kill them. levasole didn't work, nor did Lugols Iodine dip. I tried those first when I had them. They hang on for dear life....drop a little interceptor in and they die pretty quick.

If you inspect your tank closely...each Acro colony (no other corals), you'll see them running around if you have them you'll know. I noticed within 2 hours of adding a new Acro frag. But, i stare at my corals closely...LOL...for extended hours. Kind of funny....

Some times I think "What the heck am I doing staring at the same SPS frag or colony for so long, it's not moving or doing anything!" LOL!

[snfkotara]

Rob, Fred always ask how can you just stand for hours staring at that tank. My reply I always find something new if I look hard enough.

[snfkotara]

Well Im going to dip mine and see if I get any. If I do I send pic from my scope.

[BIGBIRD123]

The puppy pill crushed in 2.5 g of water with the other stuff and 1/2 levasole pill.

[cbianco]

Thanks guys. Just making sure.

Christopher


yes, you would see em if you look closely. the only problem is they can hide down in the coralite by the polyp.

here are a couple of pics - the redbugs are the yellow and red dots
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/bugs1.jpg

they are a little harder to see on this one and seemed to be much smaller
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/cuttle%20lagoon/PDRM3798.jpg (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/cuttle%20lagoon/PDRM3798.jpg)

last time i got it a couple of years ago, no prescription was needed.


no prescription is needed. It is readily available at any feed store.

[JeffCo]

Here's my procedure for stonies:
1. 5 hr soak in interceptor
2. Then 15-20 minutes of ReVive coral cleaner
3. Then 15 minutes in a pretty strong lugols solution

In between dips, I spray with a turkey baster to see if anything flies off, (aefw etc.)
And inspect with jewelers magnifying viser.
Scrubbing off anything that looks weird or discolored with a strong bristle tooth brush or clipping off pieces with bone cutters.

After all that quarantine for a few hours to keep inspecting it. Has worked the past 6 years not getting any pests in the tank.
I do occasionally lose corals doing this, but it's not worth taking a chance.