New Shrimp and Clam Acclimation

[bruindave]

I've been reading a lot about acclimating my 2 new cleaner shrimp and 1 crocea clam from liveaquaria. Since they come in with 1.018 sg and my DT is 1.025 I plan to do the following:

Following steps
1. Dump most of the water in the bag, but leave enough for them to move
2. Float the bag for about 15 minutes
3. Drip acclimate them all for 45 minutes via slow drip
4. Add in a little prime so that ammonia doesn't build up too much
5. (For clam only) inspect for pyramid snails and scrub as necessary
6. Scoop them out by hand and drop into tank
7. (For clam only) Burp clam by turning clam in all directions to make sure all bubbles are out.
8. (For clam only) Put clam on a small rock about 2-3 times it's size that i can move around for lighting acclimation and so that it doesn't stick itself somewhere dangerous.

Does this all sound about right? Any other tips on acclimating these inverts? I just want to make sure I have things right.

 

[CHizer]

I'd drip the shrimp longer. More like 2 hours

 

[KMS.Kyle]

Http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1939508

I read to never keep them in for more than 30 minutes.

 

[e048]

Id do it for an hour on both

 

[laga77]

If you are not going to QT then lower the SG in the DT. You can easily drop it to 1.021 if there are other creatures in the tank. Do it over a couple of hours. If not, then match the 1.018. Add the prime when you start dripping. I prefer to use a turkey baster to acclimate by removing and adding water every 5-10 minuets, but thats me. Try to keep the clam under water as much as possible. Removes the need for burping. Good luck with the clam, the last two I bought from FA/DD came in less than a cup of water and a large air bubble in the bag. They did not last. Inspect the foot of the clam. It should look like hair. If the fibers are all different lengths or clumped up, they could have been careless with the removal of the clam and tore its foot. Not much you can do if its the case. GL

 

[bruindave]

I'd drip the shrimp longer. More like 2 hours

Http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1939508

I read to never keep them in for more than 30 minutes.

Id do it for an hour on both

Yea so this is why I wanted to confirm b/c it seems like there are several opinions out there.

I think what I will do is put the inverts in a bucket with 1.018 SG and slowly move it up that way for 1 hour or two. I'll put some prime in there to start also, but then I don't really have too much of an issue with ammonia at that point. How does that sound?

If you are not going to QT then lower the SG in the DT. You can easily drop it to 1.021 if there are other creatures in the tank. Do it over a couple of hours. If not, then match the 1.018. Add the prime when you start dripping. I prefer to use a turkey baster to acclimate by removing and adding water every 5-10 minuets, but thats me. Try to keep the clam under water as much as possible. Removes the need for burping. Good luck with the clam, the last two I bought from FA/DD came in less than a cup of water and a large air bubble in the bag. They did not last. Inspect the foot of the clam. It should look like hair. If the fibers are all different lengths or clumped up, they could have been careless with the removal of the clam and tore its foot. Not much you can do if its the case. GL

I can't QT the clam since I don't have a 2nd set of lights. I can QT fish and maybe the shrimp, but not the clam. did your clams from FA/DD come with any hitchhikers like pyramid snails or anything on them?

that's not too assuring to hear with the clam. that's good advice as this will be my first clam. i'll check out the foot and then maybe use a toothbrush too to just go over the clam and get rid of any hitchhikers just in case. do pyramid snails jump onto shrimp? Do shrimp eat those pyramid snails?

 

[bruindave]

another question, would it be bad to fresh water dip my clam right after arriving for 20-30 minutes before putting it in the tank? Is that too stressful?

 

[laga77]

another question, would it be bad to fresh water dip my clam right after arriving for 20-30 minutes before putting it in the tank? Is that too stressful?

Do not fresh water dip. I have never seen any hitchhikers on clams from LA/DD. At this point just worry about getting him into your tank and settle down.

 

[bruindave]

big surprise... live aquaria shipped the clam and shrimp in 1.026 water. good thing i checked before i put them in the 1.018 water i had prepped for them. acclimation was super easy as it already matched my DT at that point. not a big deal anymore.

thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Xxero]

Awesome!

Once the Clam gets settled in, you should post some pics. GL! :bigeyes:

 

[laga77]

Good luck with the little guy.