If a fish has been in the bag for a short period of time, there wlll not be much if any buildup of ammonia, and respiration will not have driven up CO2 in the bag therefore the pH should not have dropped. You can drip acclimate these if you wish, though best practice remains salinity match to a QT.
Yes, this is where drip acclimation is best avoided for reasons noted in prior posts. Venting CO2 rich air from the bag is what drives up the pH which in turn transforms ammonium into ammonia. That's bad.
Yes, should be OK. I never bother to equalize pH and have had very few acclimation-related losses over the last decade.
I'm typing on a phone, highlighting what you said to follow up is way to difficult lol
Just to clarify, I was reading a fenner article as well as others, and from what I gathered, use a pH down on new water, to.loeer the pH is fresh saltwater, and out contents in there then drop while they are in fresh new water, albeit lower pH.
I can see that, but one would need an accurate pH monitor, which I don't, so I believe that roles that out for me.
I believe I am going to float for 20 minutes tops, then drop in. My salinity is 1.019 in tank.
The guy who is transhipping these in for me is trying to emphasize pouring the fish and water in bucket, immidiatly dose with prime to neutralize ammonia, and drip for two hours, and use an air line, no air stone.
Believe for me, floating and placing in tank with no drip would be best
