Acclimation
Coral Acclimation Guide – Rocky Reefs
Acclimating your new coral properly is crucial for its survival and long-term health. Transit is stressful for all marine livestock, so we strongly recommend following the steps below as soon as your coral arrives.
🧊 Step 1 – Turn Off Your Aquarium Lights
Your coral has spent many hours in total darkness during transit. Sudden exposure to bright lights can cause shock or bleaching. Switch off your tank lights during the acclimation process and keep them off until the coral has been introduced and settled.
🫧 Step 2 – Temperature Adjustment
Float the sealed container or bag in your aquarium or sump for around 15 minutes to let the temperature gradually equalize. Make sure it’s in a calm area of the tank, away from strong flow or lighting.
💧 Step 3 – Water Acclimation
Carefully pour the coral and transport water into a clean container. Then, over the next 20–30 minutes, slowly add water from your tank into the container: Add a small amount of tank water every 5 minutes (around 20–25% of the volume). Repeat until the container holds mostly your tank water. Avoid extending this process too long as temperature and oxygen levels can drop.
🛡️ Step 4 – Coral Dip (Strongly Recommended)
Even though all corals at Rocky Reefs are inspected and dipped before dispatch, it’s still possible for pests or hitchhikers to sneak through. For the health of your reef, we highly recommend dipping all new arrivals using a reef-safe coral dip.
Always follow the instructions on your chosen coral dip product.
Ensure the dip is safe for the type of coral you’re treating.
After dipping, rinse the coral in clean tank water before placing it in your aquarium.
🪸 Step 5 – Placement in Your Tank
Your coral is now ready for its new home!
We recommend placing it in a low to mid-light area of your tank initially, preferably with moderate flow. This gives it time to adjust to your lighting and water conditions. After a week or two, you can move it to its final location based on its lighting and flow preferences.
If you have a frag rack, this is a great way to gradually move the coral to different zones in your tank.
✅ Final Tips
Keep a close eye on your new coral over the first 24–48 hours.
Don’t be alarmed if it appears a bit closed or pale at first — this is normal after shipping and should improve as it settles in.