Proper way to acclimate new angels?

[JoshuaG]

It seems there are two schools of thought for acclimation. The drip method which I have always used and then this method Sk8r mentions. What would be best for these two cute little guys? This is my first online fish order:beer:

piece of advice: ask your fish source the salinity they're shipping at: pre-set your qt tank to that salinity. WHen the fish arrives, float the still-sealed bag for 15 minutes to equalize temperature, then open the bag, check the salinity to be sure you're within .001 and then move the wish into qt with no drip.

when a shipping bag is opened, the pressure change releases the co2 from the water, which causes a ph shift AND the conversion of ammonium (harmless, odorless, built up in the water from fish bioprocess) into deadly ammonia. Too long an acclimation, as in more than 30 minutes, can kill a fish that has made it safely that far. Acclimation is about salinity adjustment: I would advise taking care of that by adjusting your qt tank, not the fish. That lets you put the fish straight over into qt virtually the moment the bag is opened. Have the qt lights out. The fish has been in the dark. Give it hiding places, like a PVC elbow. I would give it a day and encourage it to start eating first: myself I prefer to delay any treatment until you're have a clue whether or if you're dealing with parasite or bacteria. Just my opinion.

 

[snorvich]

Sk8r's recommendation is best.

 

[dzfish17]

I use the floating method. http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=157 With large bags I pour some water out first and then add 1 cup every 4/5 min. If the fish has been traveling along time (shipped) I shorten the time the fish is in the bag after opening...usually under 30 min.

 

[rad1687]

What is the fish on the right?!?! Beautiful!

 

[NYCBOB]

looks like a potter.

 

[Green_Reefer]

I've only been in the hobby 7 months and have used Sk8r's method successfully with every fish I have placed in QT. I keep the QT at 1.026, but only 3/4 full. On arrival I open the bag, test the SG, add ro/di to the qt tank to match salinity and trnasfer the fish to the bag 10mins later. Every fish introduced this way has taken food within 8 hrs of introduction, with most eating immediately after introduction. I have done this with wrasses, angels, anthias, firefish, a yellow assessor,a whitecap and yasha goby and two pistol shrimps and my tang. I've only lost 2 out of 15 fish placed in QT after using this method, 2 butterflies that had a fungal infection that took them out in 14-21 days after introduction. I've since given up on butterflies and went for a small tang!

The only time I acclimate is for fish that are introduced into my DT (proper QT at vendor)