Acclimation?

[DiscusnAfricans]

How many people acclimate their fish? I used to go with the old standard of floating the bag for at least 15 minutes, slowly introducing water to the bag before eventually letting the fish out. I used to dump all of the old water into the tank too, thinking it would help normalize the conditions.

After talking to some other fish keepers, my process is much simpler. If the temperature is close, and the other conditions are normal, dump the bag into a specimen container, net the fish out, and drop it in.

Of course I'd be more careful if I knew the bagged water conditions were much different than my tank water (pH, temp, etc.) but I learned that you can do more damage to the fish by leaving them in the bag longer than necessary.

I use the same water in every tank, but some have driftwood, and some have limestone to buffer the water. Every fish I get this weekend will be removed from the bag ASAP and dropped into the tank, less chance of any ammonia burn, or other issues.

Anyone still acclimate or have a special procedure?

 

[jonclark96]

Look at Rachel's youtube channel, as she recently did a video about acclimation that includes some great info.

My process is similar to yours, except I usually just prop a 12" net over a 5 gallon bucket and pour the bag into the net, then dump the net into the tank.

 

[Pat Kelly]

I too follow the dump method. Watch Hans getting fish in. Dump that water. Get them out of the dirty water asap.

 

[lkelly]

With juveniles I make sure that all the existing fish know the new fish's name and I often encourage one of them to bake cupcakes. Adult fish, they sometimes have a bottle of wine as a welcome gift.

 

[jonclark96]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDq7IRwcASQ

Here's Rachel's video. Please feel free to embed it if you know how.

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

[YT]aDq7IRwcASQ[/YT]

 

[chriscoli]

I agree with the dump acclimation method. I've only had a few issues (rarely) where I wonder if the sudden change in pH caused some issues. I also try to let the fish equilibrate in temperature. I'll dump a fish into slightly warmer water, but not into colder.

 

[Becca]

I have mixed feelings - some fish I dump and some I use a method similar to what Frank uses for Daphnia. Others I use ammo lock and a quick drip/stream.

I do deal with a lot of fish that are super sensitive to changes in pH and they're not usually spending much time in their bagged water, either, but I tend to base it on the fish. After seeing Rachel's video, I'm questioning that, though.

 

[Hannibal]

I use the net over the bucket method. Then into the (now quarantine) tank they go.

 

[dogofwar]

+1

Especially for fish that have been shipped or otherwise have been in the bag awhile, get them out of the nasty water ASAP.

Dumping over a bucket also is insurance in case fish somehow slip through the net

Matt

Look at Rachel's youtube channel, as she recently did a video about acclimation that includes some great info.

My process is similar to yours, except I usually just prop a 12" net over a 5 gallon bucket and pour the bag into the net, then dump the net into the tank.

 

[Jt731]

My drip acclimation didn't survive me having to move 12 tanks.

 

[CichlidAddict]

Fish in the bag for a long time can get acidic due to accumulation of CO2. Drip acclimation can drive out the CO2, raise the pH and makes the water more toxic due to elevated ammonia. I have lost auction fish by opening the bag and adding fresh water in the belief I can provide more oxygen but achieving the opposite effect.