How do you acclimate saltwater fish?

[zmazza]

I've been keeping freshwater fish for quite some time now. I've just started a 29 gallon saltwater project and it's currently cycling. When I decide to get saltwater fish, how do you acclimate them? Most salts buffer to 8.3 pH right? So most saltwater tanks should have the same pH? Do you just adjust them to the temperature and scoop them out? Or is there more to it? I want them to be as happy as possible.

 

[sassyfishy]

Temperature is just one aspect of acclimation.

Also to consider: pH (as you mentioned), and salinity (or measured specific gravity).

After testing pH and S.G., I drip acclimate my livestock. If the target numbers are very similar to what's in the shipping container, I may only drip for 15-20 minutes. If there is more of a discrepancy, I drip up to an hour. (More for invertebrates). I do not release ANY of the water from the shipping container into the tank, and I do not release specimens until the values are almost identical.

 

[zmazza]

I definitely don't put pet store water into my tank. As far as getting the salinity the same and acclimating them to that, whats the best way? How can I set up a drip to acclimate my fish??

 

[salty444]

get youself some air hose, Tie a knot in the line. put the fish with the fish store water into either a water tight box or bucket. Siphon water from your tank to the fish container (box or bucket).. adjust your knot tighter or looser so it just drips continuously for roughly an hour.. Then drain the water down the sink and place your fish in the tank! Viola...... Eureka !!!!!

 

[zmazza]

That sounds REALLY easy. Hmm, doesn't sound too bad. I'll have to do that when I finally get fish.

What do you do afterwards? Do you have a bucket pre-mixed with salt so that you can fill the tank back up? Speaking of that... I need to have a spare bucket with salt for water changes anyway. Will a 5 gallon bucket with a powerhead and heater work?

 

[ycrazyy]

It doesn't really take too much water out of your tank. Since I am not buying fish all that often, I will just leave the water level as is (since my SG is not changing) and just top it back off during my next water change. But the drip method IMO is definitely the best.

As for the water changes, what size tank do you have? I have a 24g and use a 5g bucket for water changes (actually 2). I mix new SW in one bucket with a heater and a spare powerhead and use the other bucket to empty into. Sit them next to each other that way I can make sure I am taking out about the same amount of water that I will put back in.

 

[zmazza]

That's a great idea! It's a 29 gallon tank. What kind of heater and powerhead do you use in your 5 gallon bucket?

 

[mpomfret]

Along with the airhose you can get one of those cheap plastic valves and use that to adjust the drip rate. I have been acclimating critters by setting a slow drip rate into the container and waiting for the drip to double the volume in the container. Then I tip 1/2 that water down the drain and repeat the process. At the end of the 3rd round, 7/8 of the water in the container is from my tank. I figure that's close enough, so at that point I net him and transfer him to my tank.

Matt