Before the box arrives
- Have your coral dip, a couple of clean containers, gloves, and a turkey baster ready.
- Check your tank's temperature and salinity so you know your numbers.
- Plan to be home. Corals don't love waiting on the porch.
Step 1: Dim the lights and take photos
Open the box in a dim room. Corals have been in the dark all night, and bright light right away is a shock. Before anything else, take clear photos of each coral in its bag or cup, and a photo of the shipping label. If anything arrived in rough shape, those photos are what you'll need for a DOA claim. Our DOA Guarantee asks for them within 2 hours of delivery.
Step 2: Match the temperature
Float the sealed bags in your tank (or in a container of tank water) for about 15 to 20 minutes. This brings the water in the bag to the same temperature as your tank, slowly and gently.
Step 3: Dip
Move the frags into a container of tank water with a commercial coral dip, and follow the dip's label directions exactly. Use a turkey baster to gently blast the frag and plug. This knocks loose hitchhikers you don't want.
Step 4: Inspect for pests
Look over each frag closely, especially the base and the plug. For zoas and palys, watch for zoa-eating nudibranchs, sundial snails, and sea spiders. A flashlight and a little patience go a long way. When in doubt, dip again or keep the frag in a separate container for a while to watch it.
Step 5: Rinse and place low
Give the frags a quick rinse in clean tank water to wash off the dip. Then place them low in the tank with gentle flow. Don't pour the shipping water or dip water into your display.
Step 6: Move up slowly
Over the next one to two weeks, move frags up a little at a time if they're opening and looking happy. If they close up or wash out, move them back down.
"They won't open!" Don't panic
It's normal for new frags to stay closed for a few days after a night in a box. Keep them low, keep your parameters steady, and give them time. If they stay closed for more than about a week, check for pests and email us. We're glad to help.
Quick checklist
- Dim lights, photos first
- Float 15 to 20 minutes
- Dip (follow the label) and inspect
- Rinse, place low, never add bag water
- Move up slowly over a week or two
Got questions about your order? Our FAQ covers shipping, pickup, and our DOA Guarantee.