For the record I've only won a color up contest
But I have had great success with Bayer's as a dip for years now.
Before starting I'll soak my frag plug or rock in water that I plan to remount the frag to. I never leave it on the frag plug it comes on, no matter what.
-I take two large water bottles and cut them down, usually about 1/3 height
-Drop the frag with it's water in one.
-Drip tank water into that until I'm sure parameters match. This usually means I'll pour out water 2-3 times during the drip process. After the first pour I pick up the pace on the drip to help match temp.
-Once dripped I'll glove up. Pull the frag and cut it from the base. In this case the frag probably won't be encrusted so I'll pick off any old glue when I pop it off. This is to prevent eggs and hopefully algae from making it past the dip.
- I'll take a disposable plastic fork and start stirring the water in the cup with frag. I'll slowly pour bayers into the water until it is very cloudy, whitish. I can barely make out the frag is where I stop. That's how exact I get lol, but this stuff is so gentle I've never had an issue getting heavy handed.
-I wait 10 minutes stirring a few times.
-During that time I'll take the second cut bottle and fill it with water form my display
-With a gloved hand I'll remove the frag, swoosh it in the Bayers aggressively then transfer to the second cup with DT water and swoosh again, watching for anything stunned to drop. If clean leave it there. If something, dip again - better safe than sorry. Honestly if somethings there now, I toss the frag/s.
- Pour the bayers solution along the side of my house near my trash cans. This is a kid, dog, tortoise free zone. I toss the cup, gloves and fork immediately.
- Inspect the frag in DT water and get glue on my pre soaked frag plug, rock rubble. I pre soak so bubbles don't release the glue from the frag.
- I do a glob of glue on the plug, insert the base of the frag. I'll make sure the glue overlaps live tissue on the frag to prevent any eggs or algae even more (in my mind). I feel like it also helps prevent TN issues.
Once I mount the frag I'll place it down just enough so the glue is under the water in the DT cup (or DT with flow off) That lets it skin over so it doesn't blow all over my frag or make a skin my fish get their mouth glued shut inspecting.
Sounds like a lot when I write it out but it's pretty mindless for me now. Like I said I'm not exact with the measurement. If I have to walk away, i take gloves off and toss them immediately and reglove. Crap is super bad for us so I don't mess around with it. I prefer to do this all outside if temps allow.
When I do frag pack all at once, I'll use a gallon jug cut down to 1/4 height. Whatever I use, I make sure it's not deeper than my gloved hand so it never makes contact with my skin.