Death in bags...acclimation fatality: why it happens - Page 2

Sk8r · 01/13/2011, 10:38 AM

Salinity match, Corp; ph match to be extra careful. Start now, let the topoff/evaporation action adjust the salinity, and you're good.

jeff@zina.com · 01/13/2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedM3

Edit: The more I think about it, I find myself asking: if I have space for 5 gallon buckets, or this intermediate container... why don't I have space for a small QT?

I was asking this as I read your post.

If you can't do a full QT, and there may be legitimate reasons why you can't, you can at least set up a bucket with a couple gallons of water at the correct specific gravity to transfer your fish to. Dump a quarter of this water for new water each day for a few days and you can easily acclimate a fish to a new salinity over a longer period.

The key is getting them out of the shipping water as soon as practical.

Jeff

jeff@zina.com · 01/13/2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

I... but figuring the dose [of Prime] with a tiny goby's water, not so easy.

One fortunate thing is that it's hard to overdose Prime. I use five drops a gallon, one drop for a quart or less is easy. Even if you dosed five times the listed amount you're safe. Not sure on AmQuel but it has to be close to the same effect.

Jeff

Sk8r · 01/13/2011, 02:09 PM

Good to know, Jeff: reference for any emergency. And one can look up cups to quarts to gallons online: just type in the question and programs do the math.

I use Prime to de-scent my hands after using bleach: we keep it in the laundry area as well as the fish sump area!

Sk8r · 01/13/2011, 02:09 PM

Good to know, Jeff: reference for any emergency. And one can look up cups to quarts to gallons online: just type in the question and programs do the math.

I use Prime to de-scent my hands after using bleach: we keep it in the laundry area as well as the fish sump area!

Sport507 · 01/05/2012, 06:45 PM

For those of you of you that got presents from Santa. This is and always will be wonderful information.

tony53176 · 01/05/2012, 07:35 PM

what about buying fish from an LFS? should the same method apply?

jenjen · 01/05/2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony53176

what about buying fish from an LFS? should the same method apply?

Absolutely. I buy all my fish from the same LFS. They keep their water at 1.024 which basically matches my QT & DT (I'm at 1.025). When I get home I float for 15 min for temp, then net straight into QT. No drip or delay, they're in their new home immediately. Never had any issues.

ejv1013 · 01/06/2012, 02:39 AM

THis is good info I think it will help a lot of people out looks like it will make a great sticky

Sport507 · 01/06/2012, 05:45 PM

Not only is it good info it's correct info.

SushiGirl · 01/06/2012, 07:22 PM

This should definitely be a sticky.

dlp211 · 01/06/2012, 08:24 PM

I have now acclimated 10 fish to my QT and haven't lost a single one. I even had some fish that didn't look so good after being shipped to me. I chalk it up to quick and proper acclimation. My fish after floating are in the tank within 20 minutes.

I think Sk8r should consolidate all his/her stickies into one new thread and we should just sticky that because s/he has so many hahaha.

Bliz · 01/07/2012, 03:18 AM

Just along for the ride. Thank you sk8r!

icechimpee · 01/07/2012, 10:13 PM

Yum, knowledge. Great info.

shaka · 01/07/2012, 10:33 PM

Sk8r- Great information! But I want to double check. I'm receiving a Dr. F&S DD shipment this week. DD salinity is 1.025 (I called them to make sure). My Q tank salinity is 1.024. After floating sealed bags for temperature match, all I have to do is place the fish directly into Q tank without any "drip" acclimation ( or any adding any water for that matter) to the bags.

What about if there is a difference in ph between the shipping bags and my Q tank? Do I then drip acclimate for 30 minutes "tops"?

The fish I'm receiving are a Scribbled Angel and Blonde Naso Tang (male).

SushiGirl · 01/16/2012, 10:04 PM

bump up for this thread, been looking for it all night!

Reefing Newbie · 01/16/2012, 10:50 PM

With the search being down I have had to expand the cut off dates to two weeks. Any ways, I second Sushi's motion for a sticky. Although I thought it already was, must have gotten moved out with all the other stickies being made.

aleonn · 01/17/2012, 12:18 AM

I think we need a master sticky for a comprehensive compilation of all of Sk8r's threads.

osufarker · 01/17/2012, 08:46 AM

I don't doubt the information, but I'm confused why all the retailers tell you to do lengthy drip acclimations if its bad for the fish. Most offer guarantees on the fish, so giving you bad information that is more likely to kill the fish seems bad for business.

cjk76 · 01/17/2012, 09:11 AM

Great info. I got an emerald crab, and he pooed 5 times in the bag! In a 30 min drive! I have been drip acclimating, but will start with the "quick" method now. It should save water, too.

I think that retailers tell you to do a drip acclimation because this would ensure that all the parameters are the same. What they should tell you is to do it quickly.

Seths Dad · 01/17/2012, 11:04 AM

I'm the reason SushiGirl (thanks again) was looking for this thread. I got a Radiant Wrasse from DD last week and did an "extra careful, slow 2hr acclimation" so as not to over stress my first wrasse. He went straight into the sand, the next time I saw it, it was dead. Wish I had seen this thread earlier.

spskid01 · 03/15/2012, 06:24 AM

So if I buy a fish and it was shipped to me and in a bag all night. When I test the bag water sg its 1.017 and my tank is at 1.024. What is my best way to match the sg if I shouldn't drip for to long?

NirvanaFan · 03/15/2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spskid01

So if I buy a fish and it was shipped to me and in a bag all night. When I test the bag water sg its 1.017 and my tank is at 1.024. What is my best way to match the sg if I shouldn't drip for to long?

Set up a quarantine tank with 1.017 water for a few weeks. Raising from 1.017 to 1.025 needs to be done slowly.

ken55 · 03/15/2012, 07:34 AM

Thanks for the information. I havn't lost any fish (probably luck) but I now see that I haven't done them any favors.

Or mayby I have lost some. I have had fish die after a week. Is it possible they could last that long before the damage finally caught up to them?

Either way, I will certainly be using this method from now on.

Darth Vedder · 03/15/2012, 09:30 AM

Sk8r, I have a question...

Would it make sense to test the bag water to verify sg before opening it? What I am thinking is use a syringe to pierce the bag near where it is closed off and draw a ml or so of water into the syringe, then roll down the rubber band to make sure nothing leaks out of the tiny hole

You could then spot check the sg with a refractometer

Do you see any harm in this?

01/13/2011, 10:38 AM	#26
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Salinity match, Corp; ph match to be extra careful. Start now, let the topoff/evaporation action adjust the salinity, and you're good. __________________ 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%.

01/13/2011, 02:09 PM	#29
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Good to know, Jeff: reference for any emergency. And one can look up cups to quarts to gallons online: just type in the question and programs do the math. I use Prime to de-scent my hands after using bleach: we keep it in the laundry area as well as the fish sump area! __________________ 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%.

01/13/2011, 02:09 PM	#30
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Good to know, Jeff: reference for any emergency. And one can look up cups to quarts to gallons online: just type in the question and programs do the math. I use Prime to de-scent my hands after using bleach: we keep it in the laundry area as well as the fish sump area! __________________ 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%.

01/05/2012, 06:45 PM	#31
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	For those of you of you that got presents from Santa. This is and always will be wonderful information. __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member

01/05/2012, 07:35 PM	#32
tony53176 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Auburn, MA. Posts: 268	what about buying fish from an LFS? should the same method apply? __________________ Go Patriots!! Current Tank Info: 75gal AGA, reaction 4 canister filter with UV sterilizer, 80lbs live sand, 55lbs dry live pukani rock, 2 1300gph circulation pumps, aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer, 216 watt T5 lights

01/06/2012, 02:39 AM	#34
ejv1013 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 101	THis is good info I think it will help a lot of people out looks like it will make a great sticky

01/06/2012, 05:45 PM	#35
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	Not only is it good info it's correct info. __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member

01/06/2012, 07:22 PM	#36
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	This should definitely be a sticky. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

01/06/2012, 08:24 PM	#37
dlp211 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 591	I have now acclimated 10 fish to my QT and haven't lost a single one. I even had some fish that didn't look so good after being shipped to me. I chalk it up to quick and proper acclimation. My fish after floating are in the tank within 20 minutes. I think Sk8r should consolidate all his/her stickies into one new thread and we should just sticky that because s/he has so many hahaha. __________________ Standard 180 w/C2C overflow 40B Sump, 40B refugium w/DSB SRO 3000 internal, BRS Carbon Rx 100# BRS Pukani, 40# Marco

01/07/2012, 03:18 AM	#38
Bliz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 82	Just along for the ride. Thank you sk8r! __________________ 55gal reef aquarium: pair of ocellaris clowns, One spot Foxface, Randall's goby and pistol shrimp pair, blue linckia starfish, 2 tiger conchs, assorted soft corals and zoas

01/07/2012, 10:13 PM	#39
icechimpee Time is Money Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 246	Yum, knowledge. Great info. __________________ 93 Gallon "Cube" 30x30x24...in the works

01/07/2012, 10:33 PM	#40
shaka Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 224	Sk8r- Great information! But I want to double check. I'm receiving a Dr. F&S DD shipment this week. DD salinity is 1.025 (I called them to make sure). My Q tank salinity is 1.024. After floating sealed bags for temperature match, all I have to do is place the fish directly into Q tank without any "drip" acclimation ( or any adding any water for that matter) to the bags. What about if there is a difference in ph between the shipping bags and my Q tank? Do I then drip acclimate for 30 minutes "tops"? The fish I'm receiving are a Scribbled Angel and Blonde Naso Tang (male).

01/16/2012, 10:04 PM	#41
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	bump up for this thread, been looking for it all night! __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

01/16/2012, 10:50 PM	#42
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	With the search being down I have had to expand the cut off dates to two weeks. Any ways, I second Sushi's motion for a sticky. Although I thought it already was, must have gotten moved out with all the other stickies being made.

01/17/2012, 12:18 AM	#43
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I think we need a master sticky for a comprehensive compilation of all of Sk8r's threads.

01/17/2012, 08:46 AM	#44
osufarker Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 142	I don't doubt the information, but I'm confused why all the retailers tell you to do lengthy drip acclimations if its bad for the fish. Most offer guarantees on the fish, so giving you bad information that is more likely to kill the fish seems bad for business.

01/17/2012, 09:11 AM	#45
cjk76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 358	Great info. I got an emerald crab, and he pooed 5 times in the bag! In a 30 min drive! I have been drip acclimating, but will start with the "quick" method now. It should save water, too. I think that retailers tell you to do a drip acclimation because this would ensure that all the parameters are the same. What they should tell you is to do it quickly.

01/17/2012, 11:04 AM	#46
Seths Dad Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: LA... Lower Arkansas Posts: 226	I'm the reason SushiGirl (thanks again) was looking for this thread. I got a Radiant Wrasse from DD last week and did an "extra careful, slow 2hr acclimation" so as not to over stress my first wrasse. He went straight into the sand, the next time I saw it, it was dead. Wish I had seen this thread earlier.

03/15/2012, 06:24 AM	#47
spskid01 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 140	So if I buy a fish and it was shipped to me and in a bag all night. When I test the bag water sg its 1.017 and my tank is at 1.024. What is my best way to match the sg if I shouldn't drip for to long?

03/15/2012, 07:34 AM	#49
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Thanks for the information. I havn't lost any fish (probably luck) but I now see that I haven't done them any favors. Or mayby I have lost some. I have had fish die after a week. Is it possible they could last that long before the damage finally caught up to them? Either way, I will certainly be using this method from now on. __________________ Current tank info: Last time I saw them they were leaning against a tree in my ex's backyard.

03/15/2012, 09:30 AM	#50
Darth Vedder Sith Lord Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Charles, MO Posts: 481	Sk8r, I have a question... Would it make sense to test the bag water to verify sg before opening it? What I am thinking is use a syringe to pierce the bag near where it is closed off and draw a ml or so of water into the syringe, then roll down the rubber band to make sure nothing leaks out of the tiny hole You could then spot check the sg with a refractometer Do you see any harm in this?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best place for carbon bag with wet/dry?	QuickCarl	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	8	11/23/2009 12:28 PM
Micron bags in sump	kdan2159	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	11	11/18/2009 09:20 AM
Invertebrate Acclimation Drip Bag	thejamesvolta	Do It Yourself	4	08/25/2007 11:20 PM
Clown jumped out of the bag during acclimation	kclauser	New to the Hobby	13	04/26/2007 04:45 PM
Concernometer....Acclimation Bag Falling!	StinkinTuna	Reef Discussion	1	01/31/2006 06:21 PM