How to acclimate fish?

[Nanook]

Was looking for some good pointers for myself and the newer folks on how to acclimate new fish. Some details on how fast to raise specific gravity if the fish came from a LFS with lower salinity as well. Thanks!

 

[Bonta]

I think drip acclimation. Since your putting in drops of water from your tank to the container the fish is in.

 

[IFbettas]

I drip acclimate almost all new fish for about an hour. The exception is when I get a fish shipped to me that is really stressed out and in bad water, at which point I just float the bag to equalize temp and toss them into the QT.

 

[chris.rivera3]

is there a specific equipment to drip acclimate??? or is there a DIY method?

 

[DarthAWM]

is there a specific equipment to drip acclimate??? or is there a DIY method?

All you needi a container and a length of vinyl/tygon tubing. Create a siphon and tie a knot in it to control flow.

 

[DGee]

Good ole piece of standard airline works perfect. I usually tie a very loose knot so that it's free flowing to start the siphon then just tighten the knot on the hose till I get a nice slow steady drip.

I have a small bucket I put fish in for acclimation as well.

 

[Cantonesefish]

Here's two beefy threads for you.

Acclimation: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1696338
Acclimation II: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1696719

The general consensus steers away from drip acclimation, interestingly

 

[Financial Panth]

This helps.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16100

 

[triton3d]

Cut the bag, poor the water out in the sink,float the bag over your acuarium water and let the fish slide into his new home! i never aclimate my fish!!!!! and never had any problems!!! they start to eat in a couple of minutes!! what happends when you want to go into a pool?? if you put your foot in, you say "WOW this is cold" but if you run and jump into it, you will aclimate immediately!!!

 

[IFbettas]

Cut the bag, poor the water out in the sink,float the bag over your acuarium water and let the fish slide into his new home! i never aclimate my fish!!!!! and never had any problems!!! they start to eat in a couple of minutes!! what happends when you want to go into a pool?? if you put your foot in, you say "WOW this is cold" but if you run and jump into it, you will aclimate immediately!!!

What kind of fish have you acclimated this way?

 

[Ben_Im]

Float bag for 10 minutes, open up bag and pour a cup of tank water into the bag every 5 minutes until about 30 minutes have elapsed. Then I carefully "cup" the fish with my hand and release it into the tank. I try to avoid nets.

Never lost a fish using this acclimation procedure, but then again I don't have "delicate" fish like CBBs, or Potters Angels.

 

[username in use]

I dont really like the long drip acclimation either. It seems to be a long time in a bucket or dish, which is just as if not more stressful than everything its already gone through. I float the bag for 10-15 minutes than just add some water every few-five minutes untill the bag is full and then release. Works every time. I think its also just as important to buy a healthy looking fish that is active and eating as it is to acclimate them. A sick and dying fish is going to be sick and dying no matter how you acclimate.

 

[mitsurs01]

Here's two beefy threads for you.

Acclimation: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1696338
Acclimation II: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1696719

The general consensus steers away from drip acclimation, interestingly

Awesome reads, thank you for posting!

 

[Nanook]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[SDguy]

Locally purchased fish, I acclimate for no more than 30 minutes.

Mail order specimens will go for 45-60 minutes. If the water is gross, much less though.

 

[triton3d]

What kind of fish have you acclimated this way?

ALL, tangs, angels..ect..

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I dont like dripping, I can never get the drip rate right. I either come back in an hour and the water level has barely changed, or it's overflowing. Also most dripping doesnt let you float the bag at the same time, so you have to drip fast enough to acclimate temperature too...

I just float the bag for 30-60 minutes adding a bit of tank water every 5-10 minutes. As I'm floating them, I can adjust the salinity of the QT tank to meet that of the water in the bag as well.

 

[240]

I just float the bag for 10 minutes and toss the fish in.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

My best luck has been to have a 2qt tupperware bowl ready with aquarium water, cut the transport bag's corner and drain most water out and pour remaining water and the fish into a large solo cup, cover with hand, pour into container and into the aquarium you go.

My LFS quarantine's fish so good luck so far.

Hint---don't do this with gobys or wrasses. You won't make it to the tank without picking them up a few times.

 

[hfleming]

I drip acclimate for at least 45 minutes. Fast drip rate.