A Little Confused

[stella!]

Hi Every one,

I have officialy bein converted to the dark side I was just wondering how every one goes about aclimatising their fish/inverts before you release them into the tank?

thanks Stella!

 

[afmo]

Hi Every one,

I have officialy bein converted to the dark side I was just wondering how every one goes about aclimatising their fish/inverts before you release them into the tank?

thanks Stella!

whenever i acclimatize a fish or invert, i keep the animal in the bag it came from. I float the bag for 15-20 mins (depending on the animal, a little less for inverts a little more for fish). after the first 15-20 mins, i open the bag, and add about a quarter to a half a cup of MY aquarium water to the bag, then re-rubber band it and let it float for another 15-20 mins. i repeat this process until the bag sinks and the fish/invert can swim or craw out on its own. i've seen some people who dump their fish/inverts but i suggest letting them take as much time as they need to get out on their own so they dont panic, it cuts down on stress and shock.

 

[@ombomb]

For marines, I use the drip method only.

Let the bag float for about 15 minutes, then slowly drip water into the bag for about 1.5 - 2 hours, taking some out at regular intervals.

 

[brittlestar]

Stella, the more time spent acclimitising the better I think, turn off the aquarium lights and float the bag for at least 20 mins, even when acclimitising my tropicals I let them float for min 30 mins then open the bag and add a tiny amount of water to the bag from the tank over the course of another hour. Then the bag becomes so heavy the top sinks below the surface and the water is mixed properly so the fish can normally just swim out. There is a disadvantage in that if there is any disease in the shop water it does get into your tank but I would not simply dump the fish in the tank from the bag as it would go into shock.

 

[stella!]

OK thanks every one for ur words of wizdom

 

[Mr Miagi]

Just made this article for another forum! A tep by step kinda guide. Goodluck

Acclimating Marine Critters

Everyone loves bringing home a new specimen, however excitement can soon turn to disappointment if you do not fully acclimatize your species to the water in your tank.

All individual tank parameters vary in one form or another, well beyond merely temperature and pH, so it is vital you take specific care to ensure your specimen survives when transferred.

Several methods can be used. One of the easiest is pouring. A slower, but more thorough method is drip line acclimation.

Pouring method
Acquire a measuring cup, 1/2 cup should be adequate; I use smaller. Slowly add half a cup of tank water into the specimen bag every ten minutes for the next few hours. The bag volume should double. Remove 50% of the water in the bag and repeat the process. You can repeat this process a number of times.

This could be considered erring to the side of caution; however I prefer to be careful.

Drip Line Acclimation

Gather a stool, chair, or another object lower than your display tank. I use a “Chilly Binâ€￾ (foam insulation box) as the Kiwis call it or a Tupperware container. Prop the bag and its inhabitants safely on the stool. These can be picked up at your LFS for free, or found at a camping/tackle store.

You should require about one meter (three feet) of airline tubing, more to be safe or if you plan to use the floor! Start a siphon through the tubing, and use an air valve to limit the flow of water to a slow drip, about one every second. Follow the steps above, by removing 50% of the bag water when the original water doubles, and start again.

 

[stella!]

Thanks, Just what i was looking for

I have another question though and yes i know its realy stupid but what temperature should marine species be kept at? Is it 24-26c like tropicals?

Thanks again

 

[SkiFletch]

Depends entirely on the species of fish of course, but MOST are kept around 26c. Some tolerate warmer temperatures and not colder, and some tolerate colder but not warmer. 26c is a good starting point for the majority of course