Coral Acclimation Guide
Help your purchase adjust safely to it's new home.
Corals will likely be stressed after shipment, so proper coral acclimation is essential for their health in a new environment. We recommend that customers follow these steps specifically for corals!
First, activate the acclimation option on your tank lights. If your lights lack this option, reduce the intensity by 50% to allow the corals time to adjust. Gradually increase the intensity over a 2-week period to support the acclimation process.
Float the corals in the tank or sump for about 10 minutes to minimize drastic temperature differences. Next, carefully empty the coral bags into a tub or bucket, noting how much water is coming out of the containers. This information is crucial for measuring the coral dip you will use in Step 5. Please remember, the corals may be closed up and appear upset from shipping, which is completely normal!
Slowly double the volume of water by adding tank water over a 20-30 minute period. This step is optional, but we highly recommend it. Choose a coral dip that is gentle on corals yet effective at removing any pests that might have traveled with them. At Doc’s Corals, we prefer CoralRX or Seachem’s Reef Dip, both of which are known to be gentle on marine life while being effective.
Take your time when mounting your corals to your reef tank. Place them in areas with moderate flow and low light. Keep in mind that shipping can be stressful for corals, and they may need several days to acclimate to their new home. We suggest waiting at least 5-7 days before considering mounting them in your reef tank.
Finally, monitor your corals during the acclimation period for signs of stress or bleaching. Be prepared to adjust their location to different levels of light and flow as needed to ensure their health and happiness.