acclimating fish/inverts

modelrr · 05/27/2006, 01:59 PM

what are some ways to acclimate fish and invertebrates?

thanks

Sk8r · 05/27/2006, 02:15 PM

Best to open the bag, set in a bowl in the sink with the stopper in! and get a cup or so of water from your tank---pour in. Do this bit at a time, over the space of at least an hour, until the water is about 50/50. Then hand carry or net the specimen only and lower gently into your tank---if it's a spooky fish, turn the tank lights off for a bit, and if a fight develops between the new arrival and your other residents, not only turn out the lights, throw a cover over the tank to take all light away. That will break up a lot of disagreements. After about an hour, you can uncover, and the inhabitants should be calmer.

Note: shrimp and other inverts need as much acclimation as fish. Any shelled creature has trouble adjusting the salt balance in its body because the shell doesn't 'breathe' or sweat. They can die of what's called 'osmotic shock'. Even if they survive, it damages their excretory system.

Same thing with corals. They need time to adjust what's in their tissues. They can be taken into the open air and carried to the tank with no harm. There is one exception: tree sponges must be kept underwater at all times.

. If it's a rabbit or lionfish---definitely use a net. They're poisonous.

hairymushroom · 05/28/2006, 01:55 AM

The best way to acclimate inverts/corals is to use the drip method IMO this gives them enough time to adjust to new parameters etc.

bjonesjr1 · 05/28/2006, 05:08 AM

I use the drip method all the time, with a simple valve and some tubing... I drip different amounts of time depending on what I'm getting and what the temp & salinty were from the LFS to what they are in my tank

modelrr · 05/28/2006, 06:47 AM

is the drip method any slower/faster than the one explained by Sk8r??

hairymushroom · 05/28/2006, 07:01 AM

Its slower , therefore it gives the new additions more time to adjust.

05/27/2006, 01:59 PM	#1
modelrr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vienna, Virginia Posts: 105	acclimating fish/inverts what are some ways to acclimate fish and invertebrates? thanks

05/27/2006, 02:15 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Best to open the bag, set in a bowl in the sink with the stopper in! and get a cup or so of water from your tank---pour in. Do this bit at a time, over the space of at least an hour, until the water is about 50/50. Then hand carry or net the specimen only and lower gently into your tank---if it's a spooky fish, turn the tank lights off for a bit, and if a fight develops between the new arrival and your other residents, not only turn out the lights, throw a cover over the tank to take all light away. That will break up a lot of disagreements. After about an hour, you can uncover, and the inhabitants should be calmer. Note: shrimp and other inverts need as much acclimation as fish. Any shelled creature has trouble adjusting the salt balance in its body because the shell doesn't 'breathe' or sweat. They can die of what's called 'osmotic shock'. Even if they survive, it damages their excretory system. Same thing with corals. They need time to adjust what's in their tissues. They can be taken into the open air and carried to the tank with no harm. There is one exception: tree sponges must be kept underwater at all times. . If it's a rabbit or lionfish---definitely use a net. They're poisonous. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/28/2006, 05:08 AM	#4
bjonesjr1 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 1,258	I use the drip method all the time, with a simple valve and some tubing... I drip different amounts of time depending on what I'm getting and what the temp & salinty were from the LFS to what they are in my tank __________________ Bobby Current Tank Info: 75gal, LifeReef CLF1 Sump & SVS2-24 Skimmer

05/28/2006, 01:55 AM	#3
hairymushroom Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 315	The best way to acclimate inverts/corals is to use the drip method IMO this gives them enough time to adjust to new parameters etc.

05/28/2006, 06:47 AM	#5
modelrr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vienna, Virginia Posts: 105	is the drip method any slower/faster than the one explained by Sk8r??

05/28/2006, 07:01 AM	#6
hairymushroom Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 315	Its slower , therefore it gives the new additions more time to adjust.