Best Method for Acclimatizing Fish

[jm1212]

with more sensative fish, i put them in a bucket and add a cup of water every 15 minutes until the volume has doubled, and then in they go.

for hardier fish like platies, they float on the surface for 30 minutes and then get a cup of water every 15 for 30 minutes and then into the tank

 

[Turbosaurus]

If you're dripping with tubing, put a knot in the tubing. Tighten the knot to slow the drip, loosen it to add more water faster. No valves needed.

I drip everything, but my water is WAY soft and the ph is in the low 5s. Can't just dump into my tanks. You might be able to get away with it after gettign the temps equal.

 

[Robert04]

I didnt read all the previous posts in this thread I'm just posting what technique keeps my tank farely safe...Firstly Even fish stores will tell you they medicate there fish only tanks and not to mix the water.. atleast from most of my experiences talking to the managers or guys who maintain the aquariums. I use an airline with a valve on it..extremily cheap.. I take a tupperwear (cleaned previously with vinigar rinsed heavily) put the fish into the tupperwear(with the water fromthe store) and let water slowly drip fromthe tank into the tupperwear (keep topup water handy for your tank to replace your losses) I let it drip into the bucket till i have 50/50... then I remove 50% of that water and drip another 50% from my tank.. once that is over I put the fish in.. firstly by doing this your water remains fairly close to temp so you wont need to purchase another heater..unless your working on a larger scale. secondly by the time my fish gets into my tank it is already swimming in somewhere like 70% tank water..
and you kill alot of the risk for introducing bad things to your tank.... I've had there meds kill corals.. that was the last time I ever dripped a fish. and especially if the staff is just a floor worker then how would they know if the tank is medicated or whatmeds are currently being used..

 

[gt1009]

So nobody else just floats the bag for like 30 minutes and dumps the fish in? It has never failed me before.

 

[Robert04]

So nobody else just floats the bag for like 30 minutes and dumps the fish in? It has never failed me before.

It has more to do with circumstances my friend. What youre dealing with..
But dripping is fool proof and alot less stressful on fish..

PS depending what your acclimating it could takes hours..Ive read people leave anemones in acclimation for upto 24 hours if not longer.. kind of sounds rediculous but if you love your fish and creatures why not

 

[kreesdqban]

I float the bag in for about 10 min and add about 1/4 cup of water to the bag every 5 min or so until the bag fills up. When full, I dump half the water out and do the same method again. I dont dump the fish in with the water though... I pour the bag into a net and let the fish fall in the net then dump the fish in the tank... Maybe thats what you guys do also.

 

[Robert04]

I didnt read all the previous posts in this thread I'm just posting what technique keeps my tank farely safe...Firstly Even fish stores will tell you they medicate there fish only tanks and not to mix the water.. atleast from most of my experiences talking to the managers or guys who maintain the aquariums. I use an airline with a valve on it..extremily cheap.. I take a tupperwear (cleaned previously with vinigar rinsed heavily) put the fish into the tupperwear(with the water fromthe store) and let water slowly drip fromthe tank into the tupperwear (keep topup water handy for your tank to replace your losses) I let it drip into the bucket till i have 50/50... then I remove 50% of that water and drip another 50% from my tank.. once that is over I put the fish in.. firstly by doing this your water remains fairly close to temp so you wont need to purchase another heater..unless your working on a larger scale. secondly by the time my fish gets into my tank it is already swimming in somewhere like 70% tank water..
and you kill alot of the risk for introducing bad things to your tank.... I've had there meds kill corals.. that was the last time I ever dripped a fish. and especially if the staff is just a floor worker then how would they know if the tank is medicated or whatmeds are currently being used..

I meant thats the last time i put there water into my tank.

 

[x3ro]

My tank is still cycling, but this is good stuff to know...

When you're dripping, how do you up the temp? Should you get another heater to add in the bucket you're dripping into or what?

 

[ct-death]

My tank is still cycling, but this is good stuff to know...

When you're dripping, how do you up the temp? Should you get another heater to add in the bucket you're dripping into or what?

You can, or you can simply 'float' the bucket you use. The bucket should sit at or near the same level of the water inside and out.

 

[Star_Rider]

I really only use drip method for sensitive fish . or where when the gh is much different than mine.
usually my fish are shipped meaning they may have a chem added to the shipping bag to reduce ammonia. often the ammonia will spike when the bag is opened the ph is generally lower adding tank water will cause the ph to rise and the ammonia becomes toxic again(think that's how it goes).. this is far worse than dumping the fish into the qt tank(aka plop and drop)