Let's talk about new saltwater fish acclimation with a poll

[Dean]

This highly debatable topic can make the difference in whether your new livestock purchase thrives for years to come or enters the clean up crew food chain. There are likely many different ways to skin this cat but the 3 most often discussed are as follows:

Temperature acclimation
This method consists of floating the bag in your tank or sump until the temperatures match (usually about 15 minutes) and then removing the new addition from the bag and into the tank. This method is most commonly used when the animals have been in the bag for a long period of time where high levels of ammonia may be present.

Floating acclimation
This method consists of floating the bag in your tank or sump for 15 minutes to allow the temperatures to match followed by opening the bag and pouring in about 1/2 cup of tank water. When the bag is full, remove at least half of the water in the bag and continue adding 1/2 cup of tank water every 15 minutes until it is full again.

Drip acclimation
This method consists of floating the bag in your tank or sump for 15 minutes to allow the temperatures to match. You the place the bag in a pitcher or bucket. using a piece of 1/4" air tubing you place one end in the tank and one in the bag. Create a syphon so that water is freely flowing from the tank to the bag. Tie a loose knot in the bag end of the tubing and tighten the knot allowing just one drip per second to be flowing through the tubing. Continue the drip acclimation until the salinity in the bag matches that of the tank removing bag water as needed to keep it from overflowing. Lastly when the salinity matches between the two you remove the bag from the pitcher or bucket and float the bag in the sump or tank for 15 minutes to again match the tank temperature. Then remove the new addition from the bag and place it in the tank.

NEVER allow any of the bag water to enter your tank and when it is safe for you, you should use a gloved hand to remove the critter from the bag. Only use a net when you have no other option.

[Dean]

I personally use the float acclimation and add water to match salinity method. Most often than not the water in the bag is significantly lower than that of my tank and I don't want to risk the critter experiencing salinity shock. I like to pour out about half of the bag water and then place the bag in my tank. After about 15 minutes I add about a 1/2 cup of tank water and repeat that every 15 minutes taking water out as necessary to avoid any bag water from over flowing into my tank. This usually takes about an hour or so.

What works for you?

[Zack]

I like the drip acclimation method.

[Cammed_02]

I use drip acclimation as well for my fish and corals. When adding shrimp and nems I drip acclimate for a little longer usually around 1 hour to 1.5 hours.

[Francis]

I float the corals and fish for 20-30 min followed by drip acclimation. The duration of drip acclimation will depend on the livestocks that I will be introducing to my tank.


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[SABOB]

Another vote for drip acclimation


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[alton]

On my large angels I do a 20 minute drip, an hour Prazi Pro dip in my water in a bucket, but then a 10 to 20 minute fresh water bath and then into a 100 gallon Rubbermaid tub for QT for a few weeks before going into my display. Most of my fish follow this routine but in trying to pair my flame angels I thought if I QTed the female she might start turning so I followed my protocol but then added her to the tank directly which I know was a gamble. And I did a second time in making my harem. One thing we overlook in the summer is the temp in our cars in transporting our fish from the store to home. Try placing a thermometer in your car, you will be surprised on the heat on your seat. I like to use a Styrofoam box to transport in the summer.

[Dean]

Do any of you guys order fish online? Do you acclimate those fish any differently? If so, can you explain why?

[klwheat]

I tend to use a modified float version. The bag floats for 30 mins to temp acclimate, then I empty the bag into a large bowl or bucket (depending on the size of the fish). After that it gets 1/2-1 cup of water (depending on how much water was there to begin with) every 10 mins for about an hour. Then, net into tank.

[leliataylor]

I have to purchase my seahorses online since there is no source of H. comes in Texas. By the time they arrive they have been in the bag for 15+ hours. I temperature acclimate for 30 minutes, open the bag and place them directly into a quarantine tank. As soon as the bag is opened gas exchange begins and the water quality will deteriorate rapidly.