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This is why you should ALWAYS dip (1 Viewer)

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mittens

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I got a new coral and this is what fell off after a nice dip in revive. Gross. Leopard polyclad flatworm. Foe, not friend. db9cc1897b11c24445c8255d4da69076.jpg


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Erin

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It's actually quite pretty... of course a lot of things that aren't good are pretty
 

DwPolcyn

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I got a new coral and this is what fell off after a nice dip in revive. Gross. Leopard polyclad flatworm. Foe, not friend. db9cc1897b11c24445c8255d4da69076.jpg


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Where did you pick up the coral if you don't mind me asking?
 

webster1234

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I don't think where the coral came from is of as much importance as why we should all dip and QUARANTINE. There can still be eggs on there that can hatch at a later date too as dipping doesn't get the eggs.

The potential for pests is everywhere. Most LFS don't dip their new arrivals. They can easily import one in from their distributor.

And I have seen many a nice hobbyist' tank infested with flatworms.

While some probably want to know where the coral came from, I don't think that has any relevance here. If you have to know, send her a PM. Not appropriate for open forum though in my opinion. But that's just me....hopefully no offense
 
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DwPolcyn

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I don't think where the coral came from is of as much importance as why we should all dip and QUARANTINE. There can still be eggs on there that can hatch at a later date too as dipping doesn't get the eggs.

The potential for pests is everywhere. Most LFS don't dip their new arrivals. They can easily import one in from their distributor.

And I have seen many a nice hobbyist' tank infested with flatworms.

While some probably want to know where the coral came from, I don't think that has any relevance here. If you have to know, send her a PM. Not appropriate IMO for open forum though. But that's just me....no offense
Could not disagree more. If it is a local hobbyists tank that is understandable, but if it is a brick and mortar store selling coral I think it is pretty important to know. Not everyone has the means to dip and effectively quarantine their corals and fish, that is why I personally seek out reputable sellers so there is less risk involved. The potential for pests are everywhere, but why would we not actively try to avoid those pests?
 

webster1234

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I've seen enough livestock losses from parasites and pests in my years in the hobby to be able to confidently say, there is no such thing as you describe.

Think of it like a STD. You can get them from the least suspecting people. Best to play it safe, regardless of where (or from whom) you decide to get your "fix," be it coral or otherwise.

What if a hobbyist brought a coral with a flatworm on it to the "reputable" LFS to to trade for something else? How is the LFS going to know that flatworm is there unless they dip it. And even then, they don't get any eggs that might be on it.

I have a hard time believing someone doesn't have the means to dip. Maybe not a long QT, but at least a dip. Anyone can do that. A bottle of dip only costs a few bucks. Dip your new coral in a bowl and watch it with a magnifying glass and flashlight to see if anything jumps off. If you see a flatworm or something else, chances are there could be eggs. If you don't see anything, you are probably safe.

Anyone can do that.
 

DwPolcyn

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I've seen enough livestock losses from parasites and pests in my years in the hobby to be able to confidently say, there is no such thing as you describe.

Think of it like a STD. You can get them from the least suspecting people. Best to play it safe, regardless of where (or from whom) you decide to get your "fix," be it coral or otherwise.

What if a hobbyist brought a coral with a flatworm on it to the "reputable" LFS to to trade for something else? How is the LFS going to know that flatworm is there unless they dip it. And even then, they don't get any eggs that might be on it.

I have a hard time believing someone doesn't have the means to dip. Maybe not a long QT, but at least a dip. Anyone can do that. A bottle of dip only costs a few bucks. Dip your new coral in a bowl and watch it with a magnifying glass and flashlight to see if anything jumps off. If you see a flatworm or something else, chances are there could be eggs. If you don't see anything, you are probably safe.

Anyone can do that.
The reputable businesses that focus on selling coral strive to keep harmful pests out as it is a detriment to not only their coral, but their entire lively hood. Pretty sure Jason and the guy's over at TSA have exactly what I described.

Well like an STD you can try and play it safe and use protection, or you could just go find someone else who doesn't have it. Right dipping isn't hard, however like you said sometimes eggs can get by or you miss something. That's where long term QT is essential, especially if you are putting these coral in huge multi tank systems.

I'm not against dipping by any means, it's quick and isn't to stressful. I just trust that these guys have more to lose than I do.
 

gm357

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I've purchase from TSA in the past and if I remember it tells you to dip in the documents you receive. I could be wrong though, its been a while. Long story short, it's your tank, your call. No matter where you shop.

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mittens

mittens

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To be clear.. this post was intended to encourage dipping. PERIOD. I won’t be disclosing where the coral came from, respectfully.


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mitchell77546

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Helpful post, I learned the hard way. Anyone new to the hobby will hopefully learn something from posts like this. I dip everything now because I’ve gotten some unwanted pests from unexpected sources.


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Could not disagree more. If it is a local hobbyists tank that is understandable, but if it is a brick and mortar store selling coral I think it is pretty important to know. Not everyone has the means to dip and effectively quarantine their corals and fish, that is why I personally seek out reputable sellers so there is less risk involved. The potential for pests are everywhere, but why would we not actively try to avoid those pests?

Who are the reputable seller’s? Top shelf, World Wide, etc?? What do they tell you when you purchase corals? Do they say the corals are 100% clean?? Or do they say... “you should always QT.”

Every LFS has pests.

Every LFS has ICH and other fish parasites.

If somebody knows a LFS that is 100% clean, please list the name here. I want to visit this store.

I don’t think it’s fair to put any LFS’s name out there unless they were doing something extremely shady. It is exceptionally difficult and almost impossible to keep all pests out of a reef tank. These stores are suffering through COVID, competing with internet prices, and if we’re not careful they’ll all be gone for good.

LFS’s cannot quarantine everything for months and expect to make money and the consumer can’t expect their racks to be full or see lower prices if they did.

I agree with Webster1234 100%. This is why we should always quarantine new arrivals. If you don’t, you’re gambling with undesirables making their way into your reef.

I took the chance with live rock and it brought in Vermetid snails. I knew that would probably happen so I can’t blame anybody but myself. If a reefer plans to be in this hobby for the long run, it is very beneficial to invest in a small QT. Avoiding all pests by word of mouth will never work. Just sayin’
 
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I've purchase from TSA in the past and if I remember it tells you to dip in the documents you receive. I could be wrong though, its been a while. Long story short, it's your tank, your call. No matter where you shop.

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Yep, they all tell you to dip. We all know nothing is always 100% clean.
 

DwPolcyn

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Who are the reputable seller’s? Top shelf, World Wide, etc?? What do they tell you when you purchase corals? Do they say the corals are 100% clean?? Or do they say... “you should always QT.”

Every LFS has pests.

Every LFS has ICH and other fish parasites.

If somebody knows a LFS that is 100% clean, please list the name here. I want to visit this store.

I don’t think it’s fair to put any LFS’s name out there unless they were doing something extremely shady. It is exceptionally difficult and almost impossible to keep all pests out of a reef tank. These stores are suffering through COVID, competing with internet prices, and if we’re not careful they’ll all be gone for good.

LFS’s cannot quarantine everything for months and expect to make money and the consumer can’t expect their racks to be full or see lower prices if they did.

I agree with Webster1234 100%. This is why we should always quarantine new arrivals. If you don’t, you’re gambling with undesirables making their way into your reef.

I took the chance with live rock and it brought in Vermetid snails. I knew that would probably happen so I can’t blame anybody but myself. If a reefer plans to be in this hobby for the long run, it is very beneficial to invest in a small QT. Avoiding all pests by word of mouth will never work. Just sayin’
I'm not against QT or dipping, it should be always be encouraged. But again I'll say, why buy from a tank you know has harmful pests was my original question. (Not related to OPs post)
 
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I'm not against QT or dipping, it should be always be encouraged. But again I'll say, why buy from a tank you know has harmful pests was my original question. (Not related to OPs post)

Sir...you MUST ASSUME every coral has pests. The same applies with every new fish that comes into your possession. :)

The only fish I would every put any faith in would be if Humblefish QT’ed it and told me exactly what he did, where he got it, and how long it was in his possession. Even then, I’d probably still prophylactically treat and observe. :)

As far as corals go...I’m just as worried about Vermetid’s as I am with AEFW, because they mess up your pictures. Acro’s will not lay a base as well, and the snails somewhat stunt their growth. Even if they grow up through the base, they still irritate the corals. The base on the Vermetid side will base out much slower. Not to mention, they are microscopic. 6 months later they will appear. A good friend of mine on R2R CMO (who is a solid Reefer) found this out the hard way. Aiptasia can also be invisible to the naked eye or tucked away in a crevice for months before you know they are in your tank. Check out this link below:

 
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