Ion Aquatics: Coral Acclimation Guide
The Drip Method
Congratulations on your new coral! To ensure the best transition from our tanks to yours, we recommend the Drip Method. This slowly equalizes water chemistry (Salinity, Alkalinity, and pH) to minimize osmotic shock.
Step 1: Temperature Acclimation
Turn off your aquarium lights (or dim them significantly) to reduce stress on the new arrivals.
Float the sealed coral bags in your sump or display tank for 15–20 minutes. This allows the water temperature in the bag to match your system.
Step 2: The Drip Setup
Empty the coral and its shipping water into a clean, dedicated acclimation bucket or container.
Ensure the coral is fully submerged. If there isn't enough water, prop the bucket at an angle.
Using a length of airline tubing and a plastic control valve (or a loose knot in the tubing), start a siphon from your display tank into the bucket.
Step 3: Managing the Flow
Adjust the drip rate to approximately 2–3 drops per second.
Aim to double the volume of water in the bucket. Once the volume has doubled, discard half of the water and continue dripping until it doubles again.
This process should take between 30 and 60 minutes total.
Step 4: The Dip (Recommended)
Before placing the coral in your tank, we highly recommend using a high-quality coral dip (like Revive or Bayer) to ensure no unwanted hitchhikers enter your system.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific dip.
Step 5: Placement
Place your new coral on the sand bed or a low-light/low-flow area for the first 24 hours.
Slowly move the coral to its permanent location over the next few days as it adjusts to your lighting intensity.
Note: If you notice any issues upon arrival, please take a clear photo of the coral in the original sealed bag and contact us immediately to honor our Live Arrival Guarantee.