Fish Addict

There are so many ways that people intruduce fish. I currently pour the fish/water into a bucket, and gradually fill it up, then get rid of most of the water, and pour the bucket in. Are there any other ways that may be better? I have heard of starting a slow siphon, and letting it fill up. I've also heard of just floating the bags, but I have also heard that that can be bad...

COBettaCouple

I just float them in the tank, adding a turkey baster squirt full of water every 5 min or so until the temps match.

Fish Addict

That's weird... A book & a person said not to... I think it may have something to do with the bag heating up more...

AggieYen

That's what I do, too - then I net the fish and release into the tank. That way the water from the LFS doesn't contaminate the tank. You never know with LFS nowadays!

Fish Addict

Yeah, I just try to get rid of as much water as possible then dump them in, so it won't be quite as stressful

COBettaCouple

Yea, I try to do the acclimating using a container if i can rather than a bag and start out with minimal fish store water. Any debris & poop, I take out with a turkey baster.

capekate

I have heard this also.. its an ongoing debate on acclimating fish. I heard that it is a problem of gas buildup in the bag over time, and more scientifically explained than I can here without having the article in front of me. But wanted to say that I had also heard this same thing...

COBettaCouple

I haven't heard that before, but I'd be interested to read an article on it. Would that be a gas buildup in the water?

capekate

Hi Dave,
yes, it was a gas build up in the water. I will look for the site that I found this debate at and link it for you... and you can check it out and let me know what you think ok? It was interesting when I read it.

COBettaCouple

Thanks. I usually use containers to float them in because it's easier to stick a temp. probe to the side and floats around better, easier to fill, etc.. but sometimes i do float fish in a bag so I'd be interested to read that.

sirdarksol

I either use a bucket and Drs Foster and Smith's acclimator kit or float the bag and add a bit of water periodically.
As long as the lights aren't on, the bag won't heat up excessively. (A lot of people float the bag with the lights on. This can heat the bag really quickly)

I then net the fish (in one case, I had to use a dirty tactic and pour the water into the net, because the loaches refused to be netted and I didn't want PetSmart water in my tank)

KonaBoy

I float them in the tank for 30-45 minutes, then every 15 or so after that I put in a bit of tank water, then after an hour after that, I net the fish and put them in the tank. Works for me

steveangela1

I do the float in the bag and ad some tank water every so often...