our acclimation method:
i
I recommend taking extra care when acclimating your fish. Introducing your new fish to significantly different water parameters without acclimation can result in shock or death. To prevent loss of life, follow these instructions:
DO NOT FLOAT OUR BREATHER BAGS! FISH SHIPPED IN BREATHER BAGS MUST BE DRIP ACCLIMATED.
We recommend Drip Acclimation
Observe for any casualties. Do not open any bag before completing this step... (Refer to shipping policy)
Open the bag and test the PH within the bag and in your aquarium. If there is a large discrepancy between the two values, a longer acclimation is needed. (In this situation, I recommend Drip Acclimation)
For minor differences in water parameters add water at a rate of no more than 10% of the bags total water volume every 10 minutes for the next 45 minutes to 1 hour. Monitor for signs of distress and add aeration if needed.
For drastic differences in water parameters add water at a rate of no more than 5% of the bags total water volume every 10-15 minutes for 1 and half hours to 2 hours and monitor for signs of distress. Add aeration if necessary. (In most cases where there is a drastic difference in water parameters, I highly recommend Drip Acclimation.)
THE DRIP ACCLIMATION PROCESS:
* Place fish with enough water from the bag into a bucket or container making sure fish are reasonably covered with water.
* Place an air stone attached to an air pump into the bucket or container to provide aeration.
* Place bucket on the floor (lower than the aquarium to allow gravity to pull water through acclimation line.)
* Test water in aquarium and in bucket. If water parameters vary significantly, a longer drip acclimation will be needed.
* By using airline tubing and an air valve (commercial drip acclimators can be purchased online) set up the airline from the
aquarium into the bucket.
* Start siphon slowly and allow water from aquarium to begin dripping into the bucket. By using the air valve, adjust the flow
rate of the dripping. (Normal drip rate is 2-4 drops per second.) This will add 12-24 ounces (1.5 - 3 cups) of water per hour.
* Once the water in the bucket has doubled in volume from the initial water placed from the bag, test water parameters in the
bucket again to see if water chemistry from aquarium and bucket match. If not, continue drip acclimation until chemistry is
equal in the aquarium and bucket. Once they match, discontinue drip acclimation.
* Replace water in the aquarium that was used during acclimation. (Fresh water, not from bucket.)
* Dim or shut off light to the aquarium. (Lowering the lights helps to reduce stress in the newly added fish.)
* Remove fish from bucket and place into aquarium. (Do not dump water from bucket into aquarium.)*
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* Place an air stone attached to an air pump into the bucket or container to provide aeration.
* Place bucket on the floor (lower than the aquarium to allow gravity to pull water through acclimation line.)
* Test water in aquarium and in bucket. If water parameters vary significantly, a longer drip acclimation will be needed.
* By using airline tubing and an air valve (commercial drip acclimators can be purchased online) set up the airline from the
aquarium into the bucket.
* Start siphon slowly and allow water from aquarium to begin dripping into the bucket. By using the air valve, adjust the flow
rate of the dripping. (Normal drip rate is 2-4 drops per second.) This will add 12-24 ounces (1.5 - 3 cups) of water per hour.
* Once the water in the bucket has doubled in volume from the initial water placed from the bag, test water parameters in the
bucket again to see if water chemistry from aquarium and bucket match. If not, continue drip acclimation until chemistry is
equal in the aquarium and bucket. Once they match, discontinue drip acclimation.
* Replace water in the aquarium that was used during acclimation. (Fresh water, not from bucket.)
* Dim or shut off light to the aquarium. (Lowering the lights helps to reduce stress in the newly added fish.)
* Remove fish from bucket and place into aquarium. (Do not dump water from bucket into aquarium.)*
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