How to Acclimate Corals Properly: A Simple, Effective Guide

How to Acclimate Corals Properly

Acclimating new corals correctly is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and help your new pieces thrive faster. Whether you’re adding soft corals, LPS, or SPS, giving them a smooth transition into your tank reduces stress and prevents problems like bleaching or tissue recession.

This guide breaks down coral acclimation into a clear, easy process anyone can follow.

Why Acclimation Matters

Corals are sensitive to sudden changes. During shipping or transport, the water in the bag can cool down, lose oxygen, and shift in pH and salinity. When you drop a coral straight into your tank, those differences can cause shock.

A slow, simple acclimation gives the coral time to adjust peacefully.

Step 1: Temperature Acclimation

Start by floating the sealed coral bag in your tank for 10–15 minutes.
This equalizes the temperature and prevents thermal shock.

You don’t need to go longer than 20 minutes — extended floating can cause ammonia in the bag to become more toxic once the bag is opened.

Step 2: Drip Acclimation (Optional but Recommended)

After temperature acclimation, open the bag and pour the coral and bag water into a clean container.

Using airline tubing, set up a slow drip from your tank into the container — a few drops per second is enough. Let this run for 15–20 minutes.

This step lets the coral adjust to your tank’s salinity and pH gradually.

Tip: Don’t drip acclimate for more than 30 minutes, as the original water may contain ammonia from shipping.

Step 3: Dip Your Coral

Coral dipping is one of the most important steps. It removes pests like flatworms, nudibranchs, and unwanted hitchhikers.

How to dip:

  1. Mix your coral dip solution (Coral RX, Revive, etc.) in a small container.

  2. Place the coral in the dip for the recommended time (usually 5–7 minutes).

  3. Gently swish the coral in the water.

  4. Rinse the coral in a second container with clean tank water.

Never pour dip water into your aquarium.

Step 4: Light Acclimation

Corals that have been transported are used to darkness. Placing them under intense LEDs right away can cause bleaching.

Start them in:

  • the bottom third of the tank

  • a shaded area, or

  • a frag rack placed lower than your usual placement

After 3–5 days, you can move the coral higher or into its final spot once you see normal extension.

Step 5: Flow Acclimation

Corals also need time to adjust to your tank’s water movement.

A good starting point:

  • Soft corals: low–moderate flow

  • LPS: gentle, indirect flow

  • SPS: moderate flow but NOT blasting them on day one

If an LPS coral (like a torch or hammer) looks deflated or its tissue stretches, the flow is too strong.

Step 6: Final Placement & Observation

Once the coral is dipped and acclimated, place it in a safe, low-light, low-flow section of your tank and watch for:

Good signs

  • Polyp extension

  • Normal color

  • Slight inflation for LPS

Warning signs

  • Tissue peeling

  • Zero extension for 48+ hours

  • Sudden color fading

  • Brown jelly-looking slime

If you see stress, move the coral to softer light and gentler flow and give it time.

How Long Before the Coral Settles?

Every coral is different, but most settle in within:

  • Soft corals: same day

  • LPS: 1–3 days

  • SPS: 2–5 days

Don’t rush them — slow adjustments always lead to better long-term success.

Final Tips

  • Never add water from the bag into your tank.

  • Dip every coral, even aquacultured ones.

  • Avoid adding too many new pieces at once.

  • Keep your lights slightly dimmer the day you add new corals.

With a simple acclimation routine like this, you’ll dramatically improve survival rates and help your new corals open up faster and look their best.

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