QUARANTINE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR CAPTIVE BRED CORALS

Normally it is highly recommend that all corals be quarantined in a separate aquarium for a period of several weeks to a month, to reduce the possibility of introducing diseases and parasites into your aquarium. With farm-raised corals from us, this is no longer necessary. Our corals are pest free, and dont come with unwanted hitchhikers like bubble algae (valonia), nudibranchs, and nuisance algaes, all of which can quickly overwhelm a tank.

Acclimation Procedures Upon Arrival:
STEP 1: Temperature Acclimation

Turn off the aquarium lights and nearby bright lights. Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for 15 minutes in the tank water (tank or sump). Dont open the shipping bag yet as the oxygen level in the bag is still higher than outside the bag. This will allow the water in the shipping bag to adjust slowly to the temperature in the aquarium. Do not float them directly under metal halide bulbs as they may overheat the bag. It is best to turn the lights off during floating and during the first few hours, to allow the animals to gently adjust to their new surroundings.

STEP 2: Putting the corals in the tank

After floating, put the items directly into the tank, first gently swishing them upside-down in the water to dislodge any accumulated debris, and then place in a good current area in the lower part of your tank. It is not necessary to  use a drip acclimation system. These animals are quite hardy.

Many of the corals will be rubberbanded to a piece of styrofoam and hanging upside down in the water. The trick to keep them from breaking is to hold the ROCK in your fingers, and cut away the rubber bands. As long as you are holding the ROCK, it wont fall and break. Some people hold the rubber bands and cut them, sending the rock
flying (they are rubber bands after all!) 

CAUTION! At first, put the corals down LOWER towards the bottom of the tank to avoid light shock which can stress the corals. During the first week, if the corals are lightening, move them to a lower part of your tank. Gradually move the corals up closer to the light over the next 2 weeks. Its safe to put them in a lower light area initially.  Do not place the corals directly under 250 watt or 400 watt metal halides initially.

Remember to keep your aquarium lights off for at least four hours after the corals are introduced into your aquarium to help them adjust to the new tank parameters.

If there is any leakage (rare) in the bags, dont worry. All corals can ship without water as long as they are kept moist, and the temperature moderate. Unless the coral is obviously decaying or dead, place it in your tank and you might be surprised how quickly they recover. Contact us if you have any questions.

Occasionally there may be a white spot on the underside of a branch or on the side of the rock. This is most likely where the coral was shaded or touching its neighbor. Its not a disease, and will quickly disappear as its exposed to light.

Often the bags in the box are a little wet. This doesn't mean that they leaked, but rather, when we are packing, water goes everywhere. We also dip the bags in cool water in the summer to cool it down, so often the outsides of the bags are damp.

This page last updated 11/1/07