Hands Down Best Coral Dip

[Turkeysammich]

You know I’ve heard about this dip but I just kinda dismissed it. Like how good can it be. All dips are extremely similar right ?
NOPE. this dip is the Bomb. So much stuff comes off of the coral. And it’s extremely cheap, buy it once and you’ll be set for your life. It’s not toxic, it’s clear so you can see what’s coming off, unlike Bayer. You can’t over mix it. It’s available almost at all Home Depot.
So what is it ???? Potassium Chloride. It’s water softener salt. It’s 40 dollars for 40lbs. Here’s the link to reefbum.

Another Option for an AEFW Dip - ReefBum

Potassium chloride (KCL) is a great dip for AEFW. It is not hazardous to humans like the Bayer dip and it is a clear solution, allowing you to see AEFW.

www.reefbum.com

Here’s the link to Home Depot

Morton Salt 40 lbs. Water Softener Salt Pellets Morton Potassium Chloride 1498 - The Home Depot

Morton Salt's Potassium Chloride Pellets are a 99% sodium free choice for your water softener. For the many households that have hard water, it is a natural solution for softer water that provides many

www.homedepot.com

Trust me. It’s really good. Yes that good. And I’ve tried a lot of dips over the years. I’ve dipped all kinds of corals. Not just sps.

Oh when done dipping just put the coral back into the display. No need for a rinse dip.

Btw. It’s not an irritant like most dips. This dip kills stuff. Thus making it different from other saltwater aquarium dips.
@Darkxerox Thomas knows a lot more than I do about how it kills.

 

[Lullaby]

Wow, we use this at work to feed our boilers. Pretty neat.

 

[MichaelB]

You know I’ve heard about this dip but I just kinda dismissed it. Like how good can it be. All dips are extremely similar right ?
NOPE. this dip is the Bomb. So much stuff comes off of the coral. And it’s extremely cheap, buy it once and you’ll be set for your life. It’s not toxic, it’s clear so you can see what’s coming off, unlike Bayer. You can’t over mix it. It’s available almost at all Home Depot.
So what is it ???? Potassium Chloride. It’s water softener salt. It’s 40 dollars for 40lbs. Here’s the link to reefbum.

Another Option for an AEFW Dip - ReefBum

Potassium chloride (KCL) is a great dip for AEFW. It is not hazardous to humans like the Bayer dip and it is a clear solution, allowing you to see AEFW.

www.reefbum.com

Here’s the link to Home Depot

Morton Salt 40 lbs. Water Softener Salt Pellets Morton Potassium Chloride 1498 - The Home Depot

Morton Salt's Potassium Chloride Pellets are a 99% sodium free choice for your water softener. For the many households that have hard water, it is a natural solution for softer water that provides many

www.homedepot.com

Trust me. It’s really good. Yes that good. And I’ve tried a lot of dips over the years. I’ve dipped all kinds of corals. Not just sps.

Oh when done dipping just put the coral back into the display. No need for a rinse dip.

Btw. It’s not an irritant like most dips. This dip kills stuff. Thus making it different from other saltwater aquarium dips.
@Darkxerox Thomas knows a lot more than I do about how it kills.

Have you personally used it? Says aefw is it for other corals beyond sps too?

 

[JVU]

Interesting!

@Turkeysammich @Darkxerox - Any data on if it works on pests other than AEFW? Or if it is safe with non-SPS coral?

Also KCl is widely sold as a no-sodium alternative to table salt, and as a dietary supplement. Often in fine granular form, like regular salt, so you don’t have to break it up like described in that article. Lots of options on Amazon or local grocery store. Just make sure you get it pure, without iodine or other additives.

 

[derek_SR]

In case you don't need 40lbs, it's also available on Amazon pretty cheap, I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T1LZ4D2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Polyplab Reef Primer is another option that's branded for reef aquariums, though may have a slightly different formula.

I had a handful of acro colonies in a QT tank I was dipping for AEFW, and I switched to KCl and a TON of critters came off - this is after 3-4 dips with Coral RX, the last couple of which came up totally clear.

I had a baby gorilla crab (!) come off in the KCl, along with some worms I have never seen before, all kinds of pods, brittle stars, and some other creepy crawlies. All of which survived a number of Coral Rx dips. Seems to be very gentle on the coral as well. Can't speak to anything other than SPS though.

 

[Turkeysammich]

So far I have dipped hammers, torches, sps, mushrooms. All came out fine.

 

[Alexander1312]

I am glad there is a seemingly safer alternative to the Bayer dip.

 

[Alexander1312]

For purity concerns, I would probably buy it here if this is really the best dip:

Potassium chloride (KCl), anhydrous, USP. 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.) | Captiv8Aquaculture

Potassium chloride, anhydrous, USP. >99.0% active. Handle in accordance with all safety guidelines appearing on product label.

www.captiv8aquaculture.com

 

[Slingfox]

I use KCl for SPS. I have not tried it with soft corals but would love to switch to KCl for everything if possible.

 

[Darkxerox]

Interesting!

@Turkeysammich @Darkxerox - Any data on if it works on pests other than AEFW? Or if it is safe with non-SPS coral?

Also KCl is widely sold as a no-sodium alternative to table salt, and as a dietary supplement. Often in fine granular form, like regular salt, so you don’t have to break it up like described in that article. Lots of options on Amazon or local grocery store. Just make sure you get it pure, without iodine or other additives.

I use the Polyplab Reef Primer (potassium salts) dip on all my corals, haven't had any losses and they open back up super fast. I've been using it pre swap to disintegrate flatworms (red planaria and Euphyllia flatworms) and knock off everything.

Used it on mushrooms too but haven't tried it on macroalgae or anemones.

 

[Slingfox]

I use the Polyplab Reef Primer (potassium salts) dip on all my corals, haven't had any losses and they open back up super fast. I've been using it pre swap to disintegrate flatworms (red planaria and Euphyllia flatworms) and knock off everything.

Used it on mushrooms too but haven't tried it on macroalgae or anemones.

I was going through reviews on Reef Primer and decided to buy some since it is on sale. I will use KCl for all hard coral going forward and Reef Primer for softies. I assume I could use a lower potential mix of KCl + longer dip time for softies but I don't want to experiment unnecesserily.

 

[ReyDeFarts]

So the common dosage I've seen is 2 Tbsp/Gal

Breaking up the pellets sucks! I was curious how much the dosage weighs in grams. So I could choose to just dilute pellets instead of going through the trouble of breaking it down to powder. It got my brain turning and so I'll share my findings in case it helps someone else.

I broke down enough pellets to get 2 Tbsp of powder and also 2 Tbsp of semi-broken down pieces. I used a mortor and pestle. You can see the general size I broke them down to initially.

I used a coffee grinder (dedicated for only aquarium use) to break it down to powder.

This was the first pass of about 10 seconds. You can still see some larger pieces. I ended up grinding it down to a fine powder which took less than a minute.

I then weighed 2 Tbsp of each in grams

Small pieces = 34 grams

Powder = 36 grams

I decided to give it an average weight of 35 grams = 2Tbs

Here is a quick handful straight out of the bag

And here is a sample of the the pellets sizes to get close to 35g

I continued the experiment further to get a general idea of how long it would take for each to dissolve. That's where it convinced me that I'll be going through the trouble of making powder!

I'll post my findings in the next post. Ran out of room for more pictures :/

 

[ReyDeFarts]

So I decided to use a magnetic stirrer for this quick observation. I decided on 200mL of RO.

I used the lowest setting possible

I first started with the powder and it took roughly 3.5 minutes to dissolve. There was one bigger piece that got through my grinder.

Next was the smaller broken up pieces and it took double the time and it didn't completely dissolve. It required me to increase the stirrer speed significantly and I have to manually provide additional agitation to the pieces.

I decided to stop after another few minutes and this is what was left over.

After that quick experiment, I decided to make myself about 2 cups of powder for future use and it should last me a long time!

For small quantities, I calculated you need 1.5-2 tsp/250 mL of tank water.

 

[Reefer Madness]

So I decided to use a magnetic stirrer for this quick observation. I decided on 200mL of RO.
View attachment 62074

I used the lowest setting possible
View attachment 62075

I first started with the powder and it took roughly 3.5 minutes to dissolve. There was one bigger piece that got through my grinder.
View attachment 62076View attachment 62077

Next was the smaller broken up pieces and it took double the time and it didn't completely dissolve. It required me to increase the stirrer speed significantly and I have to manually provide additional agitation to the pieces.
View attachment 62078View attachment 62079
I decided to stop after another few minutes and this is what was left over.
View attachment 62080

After that quick experiment, I decided to make myself about 2 cups of powder for future use and it should last me a long time!

For small quantities, I calculated you need 1.5-2 tsp/250 mL of tank water.
View attachment 62081

 

[MichaelB]

If you mix up the dip in the water, is it shelf stable and effective as other dips, like revive. Specifically asking can you keep it in a bottle forget about it, than break out if needed?

 

[derek_SR]

So the common dosage I've seen is 2 Tbsp/Gal

Breaking up the pellets sucks! I was curious how much the dosage weighs in grams. So I could choose to just dilute pellets instead of going through the trouble of breaking it down to powder. It got my brain turning and so I'll share my findings in case it helps someone else.

I broke down enough pellets to get 2 Tbsp of powder and also 2 Tbsp of semi-broken down pieces. I used a mortor and pestle. You can see the general size I broke them down to initially.View attachment 62064

I used a coffee grinder (dedicated for only aquarium use) to break it down to powder.
View attachment 62065

This was the first pass of about 10 seconds. You can still see some larger pieces. I ended up grinding it down to a fine powder which took less than a minute.
View attachment 62066

I then weighed 2 Tbsp of each in grams
View attachment 62067
Small pieces = 34 grams
View attachment 62068
Powder = 36 grams
View attachment 62069
I decided to give it an average weight of 35 grams = 2Tbs

Here is a quick handful straight out of the bag
View attachment 62070
And here is a sample of the the pellets sizes to get close to 35g
View attachment 62071

I continued the experiment further to get a general idea of how long it would take for each to dissolve. That's where it convinced me that I'll be going through the trouble of making powder!

I'll post my findings in the next post. Ran out of room for more pictures :/

Yeah that’s a hard pass from me. See the Amazon link I shared earlier in the thread

2tsp mixes into a gallon almost instantly. Literally just swish it around with my hand.

 

[ReyDeFarts]

Yeah that’s a hard pass from me. See the Amazon link I shared earlier in the thread

I did. I decided on the big ole bag because of the price difference, plus I was hoping to make a bunch and share it. I thought it would be softer to break up.

Now knowing the time to make it into a powder...I'll just throw the pellets at random people walking by my house instead. Way more entertaining!

Or make some strong weed killer solution.

But in all seriousness, it didn't take THAT long to make 2 cups worth. At the next BAR event, I can bring a lot for folks to have.

If you mix up the dip in the water, is it shelf stable and effective as other dips, like revive. Specifically asking can you keep it in a bottle forget about it, than break out if needed?

I was wondering the same thing actually. I was more interested in making a concentrated solution with some distilled water. Then I wouldn't mind using the pellets so much. It's worth trying the experiment. I don't fully understand the molecular breakdown and efficacy over time. But like Derek mentioned, just as easy to just make a fresh solution when needed and call it a day.

 

[tribbitt]

I did. I decided on the big ole bag because of the price difference, plus I was hoping to make a bunch and share it. I thought it would be softer to break up.

Now knowing the time to make it into a powder...I'll just throw the pellets at random people walking by my house instead. Way more entertaining!

Or make some strong weed killer solution.

But in all seriousness, it didn't take THAT long to make 2 cups worth. At the next BAR event, I can bring a lot for folks to have.


I was wondering the same thing actually. I was more interested in making a concentrated solution with some distilled water. Then I wouldn't mind using the pellets so much. It's worth trying the experiment. I don't fully understand the molecular breakdown and efficacy over time. But like Derek mentioned, just as easy to just make a fresh solution when needed and call it a day.

If it’s just water and K+ and Cl- i don’t think the molecule itself would get “worse” per se. If it’s actually saturated I don’t think bacteria can live

At 20c KCl will dissolve 34g/100mL which is pretty convenient. 2tbsp/100mL based on @ReyDeFarts measurements

 

[RandyC]

Potassium Chloride solutions are likely shelf stable for years and for the most part is not light sensitive. Mix away.

 

[Reefer Madness]

I seen this stuff on Amazon. It is more expensive but is ACS grade which is the highest great above food and lab grade. Not sure if that matters in this case just tossing it out there because I wanna be apart of the cool kids too.