Processing of newly arrived corals

Joseph591

Dear forum members, could you please advise how you process new corals (currently I am interested in soft corals) for prevention against unwanted companions ("planarians" and other parasites)? I have come across information that freshwater can be used (but not for all), easily accessible iodine solutions, Lugol's solution, furacilin/furan... and special products from well-known companies. Thank you in advance for your experience or for links to articles and other resources on the topic. Best regards.

Erica752

I personally treated soft corals and LPS with a water solution of Lugol's (without glycerin) at a dosage of 1 ml per 200 ml of aquarium water. The treatment time is 10-15 minutes. Then I rinse in aquarium water and that's it. I heard such recipes from my friends. Using iodine in alcohol solution: 10 drops of iodine per liter of aquarium water. Soak for 10-15 minutes. Rinse in seawater before returning to the aquarium. Planaria on SPS: 8 g of potassium iodate in 100 ml of osmosis water. For soaking acropora - 5 ml of this solution per 1 liter of seawater. Read this, here are the links.

Jesse3979

I used both osmotic and Lugol's solution. There was an effect, but the planarian still made its way into the aquarium. The last time I used the Dutch product Coral Protec (similar to the popular CoralRX, but much cheaper and with a different composition), the visual effect was good, but it had a strong smell. It's better to spend an extra 50 than to have to save the entire aquarium later. And if it's something small, like umbrellas, you can fill a syringe with a cube, and that will be enough for about five uses.