And they said it couldn't be done!

[gsiegel]

So I've been researching this since yesterday, when it was brought up. Here's what I've found. the drip acclimation is most important for more fragile fish/inverts. As far as the HTs are concerned, the Australians are allegedly the more durable of all the HTs.

So here's my questions. Once the bag is opened, the ammonia rises, correct? What if I don't open the bag, and instead, just punch a hole in for the airline/drip? Would doing a bit of a drip be better than none at all?

Man, you can't blame me for being at least slightly hesitant to float the bag and then just put him in.

And you read many different thoughts on drip acclimation. What I find odd is that so many in this great forum are adamantly against drip acclimating a mail order fish, BUT the experts at LA/DD strongly suggest the drip acclimation despite the obvious ammonia spike. :headwallblue:

 

[HumbleFish]

As far as acclimating imo with internet fish it should be temp only. Drip acclimating should be limited to lfs purchases. A whole day in a little bag makes a lot of ammonia. I know they suggest drip acclimation, but your just poisoning the fish when your slowly raising the ph and temp in water that has 5.0+ ppm of ammonia. I tested a bag of water I received an internet ordered pbt in that was off the charts.

+2 This is perfectly stated. But for those who insist on drip acclimation, a little Amquel or Prime should neutralize any ammonia long enough for you to accomplish this. I think Bluezoo (maybe LA too) includes a little bottle of ammonia reducer in their acclimation kit.

 

[Mr. Bill]

+2 This is perfectly stated. But for those who insist on drip acclimation, a little Amquel or Prime should neutralize any ammonia long enough for you to accomplish this. I think Bluezoo (maybe LA too) includes a little bottle of ammonia reducer in their acclimation kit.

FWIW, I didn't receive any with my corals or CuC from LA. If you're going that route, I'd suggest getting some from your LFS before the fish arrives.

 

[humaguy]

fwiw, I use a cup when acclimating...works for me...

 

[jr_83]

I'm not insisting on anything at this point. In fact, I'd call myself "on the fence" and leaning towards just "floating and dumping". Kinda makes sense. All the stores around me just float the bags then put em in. I have never seen one drip acclimate, however, I care more about MY fish than they care about their "stock"...I'm assuming.

Gsiegel, you just got a HT from the DD. What did you do and how is he/she doing?

 

[jr_83]

The tracking info says it should be here before 10:30...waiting anxiously.

 

[roenicknewf]

Tick tock ,Tick tock ..its almost 11:30 here :lol:

 

[HumbleFish]

The tracking info says it should be here before 10:30...waiting anxiously.

Just a FYI: You can pickup Fedex Express (but not Ground) deliveries direct from the depot. You just have to tell them to hold it for you (you can do it on Fedex's website). For me, it always means getting my LA shipment at 8 or 9 in the morning; instead of having to wait on the Fedex driver.

 

[roenicknewf]

Thats a good idea ,,one less hand to go through

 

[jr_83]

I thought they always shipped FedEx but is one is UPS. Not happy about that, I've never really had a good UPS experience. I'm tempted to call and find out where the delivery driver is at and just go hunt him down.

 

[HumbleFish]

I thought they always shipped FedEx but is one is UPS. Not happy about that, I've never really had a good UPS experience. I'm tempted to call and find out where the delivery driver is at and just go hunt him down.

I would be very ****ed about that. Especially considering this is an expensive DD specimen. Did you know they were going to ship via UPS before you placed the order? Like you, I always just assume Fedex with LA.

Edit: Just read this on another website (don't think I'm allowed to copy the URL):

"I just wanted to pass this email that I received on to everyone.

Thank you for your previous orders with Drs. Foster and Smith's LiveAquaria. We are contacting you in regards to a change that is being made to the shipping of our LiveAquaria.com packages that will be begin on Monday, April 29th. We will be switching from FedEx 1-day air service to UPS Air for these shipments."

 

[jr_83]

Wow, 2 days ago huh!?!

Well good news! It is here and he looks good as far as I can tell through the bag. Pics coming.

 

[jr_83]

It's a gorgeous fish and looks healthy as far as I can tell. Since he has been in the tank, he has been exploring the left 1/4 of the tank. He has gotten pretty close to the eel and the eel has opened his mouth then retreated to into his cave. The HT looks big enough to eat the eel if he is so inclined, I hope that doesn't happen but that would be a better situation than vice versa.

Anyways, thanks for all the input everyone. I ended up just floating the bag then putting him in (as u can probably tell from the pics). I was planning on attempting a feeding in TE early evening. Am I going with silversides? Lets see I have, on hand, frozen krill & silversides, wild Japanese octopus (strips), and NLS pellets (2 sizes 1mm & 6mm)...any input?

 

[HumbleFish]

Never owned a tusk so I'll let someone else answer what to feed... but I just wanted to say he's beautiful!

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Until he gets accustomed to his new home, I'd hold off on the silversides. They are messier than the krill and octopus. If he just pecks at the food, it'll be easier to get out what he doesn't eat until he gains his confidence.

Keep in mind that it may be a couple of days before he starts eating. Hopefully you'll get lucky and he'll start eating right away...

 

[humaguy]

Kill the lights for a day or two...

drs/la/dd no longer uses fed ex...only ups....

 

[jr_83]

Should I try some live brine shrimp (or too small)? I also have access to grass shrimp?

Should I put a krill or octopus on a veggie clip, I'm thinking the big tweezers (that I use to feed the eel) scare him.

 

[humaguy]

leave him alone...turn off lights and leave off a day or so...use your moonlights or actinics only tomorrow...

 

[humaguy]

feed tomorrow...

 

[jr_83]

Thanks for all the help and views I will update tomorrow after I try a feeding.