How Do You Acclimate New Fish?

[JGombs99]

A recent rash of deaths in my tank has led me to post this. I've had a total of 11 Diamond Tetras in my tank (as many as 9 at one time), and all but one have died (and the one remaining fish isn't looking good). The other fish in my tank (1 Blood Parrot and 1 Krib) seem to be just fine. They definitely aren't the culprit, either as the fish I've had were all peaceful together. On another one of my threads, where I was discussing the deaths, and trying to figure out what the problem could have been (because water parameters are good and stable, water changes were performed, etc.), it was suggested that perhaps my acclimation was faulty. I float the fish for 15 minutes, then I add a tea cup of water every 10-15 minutes three times before netting the fish and releasing them into the tank. What do you guys all do to acclimate your fish?

 

[Xander]

I like to add about 1/10th of the water volume that's inside the bag every 3-5 minutes (so if there's 10 cups of water to start with in the bag, I'd theoretically continue by adding 1 cup repeatedly) until I've more than tripled the water; usually takes between 45-60 min. If I'm extra invested in the species surviving the process (expensive or showpiece fish for example), I will drip acclimate for 1-2 hours.

 

[JeffK]

I don't trust my LFS (Petco & Petsmart) much anymore, so I buy most of my fish online. When the fish arrive, I float the bag for about 10 min to equalize the temperature, then I open the bag, add a couple drops of Prime, and add some of my tank water in the bag. After another 10 min, I pour the bag over a net and release the fish into the tank. I guess it's sort of a combination of these two:

 

[BettaCentral]

I'm sorry I am probably a bit late. I usually do more than I have to because my fish generally get easily stressed. But what I do is I float the bag that they came in in the aquarium (Make sure the water is dechlorinated!) for about 15 minutes. Then I add about 15-20% of the amount of water that's already in the bag from the aquarium and wait another 15 minutes. I repeat that until the bag is pretty much full. Then I sump out about 75-80% of the water and fill it with aquarium water. I wait that 20 minutes, then I put the fish in the tank! Good luck!

 

[Wraithen]

A recent rash of deaths in my tank has led me to post this. I've had a total of 11 Diamond Tetras in my tank (as many as 9 at one time), and all but one have died (and the one remaining fish isn't looking good). The other fish in my tank (1 Blood Parrot and 1 Krib) seem to be just fine. They definitely aren't the culprit, either as the fish I've had were all peaceful together. On another one of my threads, where I was discussing the deaths, and trying to figure out what the problem could have been (because water parameters are good and stable, water changes were performed, etc.), it was suggested that perhaps my acclimation was faulty. I float the fish for 15 minutes, then I add a tea cup of water every 10-15 minutes three times before netting the fish and releasing them into the tank. What do you guys all do to acclimate your fish?

It's not a technique thing unfortunately, it about differences between your water and the water the fish has been in. If you look at what dragones has to go through she is an extreme example. I drip acclimate because 1. I'm lazy and 2. My water doesn't ever come close to the same as my lfs water. The big concern aside from temperature is that ph is within .4 and kh and gh are either lower or the same. Higher gh and kh is harder of the fish to get oxygen from the water and they basically suffocate.

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks, all! It's interesting to see the different responses and different techniques that people use. It seems like some people do much more than others, and from the very small sample size I've seen from the responses to this thread, it seems that my method is right in the middle.

 

[Al913]

I do drip acclimation which is the safest method. I rather be patient (can take 1-2 hours depending on drip per second) then to shock the fish when I put it in the tank. As for the Petsmart and Petco, I like to look at the fish tank for awhile (10 minutes or more) to make sure all the fish in their are healthy and not stressed. Usually when ordering online from a reputable breeder or company there is less chance of the fish having disease

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks for your answers, everyone! It's beginning to look like my issue may actually be ich. The first several deaths didn't seem to be anything that I could put my finger on, but my most recent death as well as the fish that's still alive appear to have ich. I had ich about a month or so ago, maybe a bit more than that. I had it cleared up, but it may have somehow returned.

 

[JeffK]

I used to always drip acclimate my fish but over the past few months I've read some articles against doing so (there are some exceptions) so I've gotten away from it. I've had good success so far, in fact I just added a few endlers to one tank and a bn pleco to another tank this morning!

 

[Gage]

I used to drip acclimate but it seemed more stressful. Now I check the temperature of the bag and if temperatures are within 7F I just scoop the fish out and put them in the tank. If temperature is far off float the bag for 10min no matter what the temperature is I scoop them out and put them in the tank. I'm pretty successful with it. You just might be keeping the fish confined for to long

 

[JGombs99]

Gage, if I'm keeping them in the bag for too long, does it make sense that I'm losing some in a matter of days and others in a matter of weeks? I'm still a beginner, so I don't know and I'm asking your opinion, but it seems to me that if I was keeping them in for too long wouldn't I lose them quicker than Weeks Later?

 

[Gage]

Sometimes you get a fish that is just weak but if it is all the time it's because the tank is not "established" even though it is cycled. Eventually your tank will "age" in a way and will except new fish readily.

You might also need to switch fish stores some suppliers just don't have quality fish.

I don't know if I answered your question or not but if I didn't just ask again and I'll clarify

 

[JGombs99]

Well, my tank is definitely cycled but I'm not sure if it's considered established or not. How old does it need to be, or what needs to happen in order for it to be considered established? My tank has been up and running since early April. But, in that time, I have gone through several issues, and I've changed my stocking plan a few times.

 

[Gage]

An established tank usually takes 2-6 months. I consider a tank established when all ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings are the same every week you test. That's will happen over time as you feed the same amount and keep up on water changes. Established tanks are something that you can't test for. But once everything runs smoothly (without changing your stock either) your tank is considered "established" or "aged" whatever you want to call it. If you can get a few fish to live without taking them out there will be plenty of time for aerobic and anerobic bacteria to form.

If you get fish from one place only you might want to consider switching your fish suppliers.

Hope this helps again ask and I'll clarify some more

 

[oldbean]

I've never done any of that. I put them in a bucket (one used JUST for aquarium) in the water they came bagged in, add half a litre of my tank water and leave them for half hour before adding them to my tank in a cup from the bucket.

Never lost a fish. Ever. In ten years of cold fish keeping. I don't know how it would work with tropicals but works for me.

 

[JGombs99]

Wait, so none of your fish have ever died? Or are you saying you've never lost a fish from poor acclimation?

 

[Gage]

It's not that common to loose fish in the acclimation period JGombs99 I think it might be your suppliers.

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks, Gage. I'm beginning to think the same thing. I thought you were saying that none of your fish have ever died, at all, in 10 years. I didn't know you were specifically referring to your acclimation process.

 

[oldbean]

Wait, so none of your fish have ever died? Or are you saying you've never lost a fish from poor acclimation?

I've had goldfish in my pond for ten years. Had three to start now I have eight and the first three are the ones I bought in 2006.

I've recently lost my WCMMs from old age. Seven years I had them and they all passed in the last six months.

It's not that common to loose fish in the acclimation period @ I think it might be your suppliers.

I actually agree 100% with that.

 

[JGombs99]

The LFS swears up and down that they haven't lost any Diamond Tetras (and there was a time when they admitted selling me fish from a bad batch), but it seems awfully odd that I would've lost so many if there wasn't something already wrong with them. Plus, the other two fish in my tank have been fine. So, I just don't know.

One thing I was told yesterday (by my favorite employee at the LFS), that seems suspect to me is that maybe there's some bacteria, condition, or even disease that's present in my tank that specifically attacks Diamond Tetras, or that Diamonds are specifically susceptible to.

 

[mommyof3]

I test the water they came in and th water from my tank. I use airline tubing to drip acclimate and dump half the water as the bucket fills up. As soon as the water levels match perfectly I put them in. I started that after I couldn't get guppies to live for no apparent reason then realized my ph was way off from the store

 

[oldbean]

The LFS swears up and down that they haven't lost any Diamond Tetras (and there was a time when they admitted selling me fish from a bad batch), but it seems awfully odd that I would've lost so many if there wasn't something already wrong with them. Plus, the other two fish in my tank have been fine. So, I just don't know.

One thing I was told yesterday (by my favorite employee at the LFS), that seems suspect to me is that maybe there's some bacteria, condition, or even disease that's present in my tank that specifically attacks Diamond Tetras, or that Diamonds are specifically susceptible to.

In my long experience LFS talk rubbish most of the time. I highly doubt there's anything in your tank and they're just trying to save face more then likely for selling you lame stock.

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks! So do you think there's any reason why I should stay away from Diamond Tetras in my tank, or do you think I should just buy them elsewhere when I re-stock?

 

[oldbean]

Thanks! So do you think there's any reason why I should stay away from Diamond Tetras in my tank, or do you think I should just buy them elsewhere when I re-stock?

Hmm. I can't say. That's really your call! You could try them from somewhere else if you really want those types of fish, see how it goes.

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks! I do like them, but I really just don't want to keep going through this. That's really the most important, and having the diamonds is actually secondary at this point.

 

[oldbean]

Thanks! I do like them, but I really just don't want to keep going through this. That's really the most important, and having the diamonds is actually secondary at this point.

I think that's a safe opinion for now.

Good luck I hope everything goes ok!

Let us know.

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks! But, if it were you, would you get diamonds from a different store, or would you change the species you were going for?

 

[oldbean]

Thanks! But, if it were you, would you get diamonds from a different store, or would you change the species you were going for?

I'd personally do both. Change the fish and the store as a precaution.

 

[Gage]

It might just be how your tank runs. You might never be able to keep diamond tetras. I've kept almost every fish available (common fish) and everything lives except neon and cardinal tetras. Diamond tetras just might be that fish that can't go in your tank.

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks Gage. So, there's no telling why this might be the case, it just might be? You don't know why those fish don't do well in your tank, either?

 

[BettaCentral]

Thanks Gage. So, there's no telling why this might be the case, it just might be? You don't know why those fish don't do well in your tank, either?

Well I agree the store is a probably cause. I once got a couple of dwarf gouramis from a Walmart. They died, but I soon discovered that they had a genetic disease: Dwarf Gourami Iridiovirus.

 

[Gage]

JGombs99 you can probably figure out what is wrong with your tank for that fish but I have no clue. I could also figure out why neons don't live in my tank, but it seems like to much trouble for one type of fish.


There are plenty of fish in the sea...... Or LFS in our case .

 

[JGombs99]

Thanks, Gage. It just seems weird to me, that's all. I can't find any one person on my other thread about this issue who seems to think there would be any reason why one particular species wouldn't be able to live in my tank with the parameters I have, but...who knows.

 

[Bry]

The way I've done it, recent people have told me is wrong.
People around here let them temperature acclimate for twenty minutes, then reach in and get the fish by hand and put them in the tank.
Others let them temp acclimate then put a fishnet over a bucket, pour water and fish in/through the net and them put the fish in.
Both of these make me worry for the fish's slime coat....
I've always let them temp acclimate for twenty minutes. Then add some of my tank water into the bag, let acclimate for another twenty, to allow the fish to help adjust to my tank parameters. Sometimes I do that again, sometimes after the second acclimate I pour the fish in. I've done it this way since I got my first tank ten years ago.
Now other people are telling me to NEVER add the shops water to your tank, in case of sickness..... but wouldn't the fish being added be contaminated anyway? So what's the point? My fish are never in the bag for more than an hour, so there isn't a whole lot of fish waste.
So now I'm curious to how the beautiful people on here adjust their new finned babies to their new homes.

 

[MrBryan723]

Yes and no. You're doing it right by adding your tank water to the fish in small amounts before adding them to the tank, but it's never a good idea to add store water to your tank, while yes the new fish can contaminate your tank, keeping it to a minimum by not adding the water is just safer. Lots of people use a quarantine tank as well.

 

[YATT]

I live 15 min from lfs. Temp isn’t my concern. I dump them in a bucket and drip acclimate for 45 min. Quick net and into the tank after the drip.

Edit. My tank is fairly new. And I’m at capacity now. I’d only add shrimp or snails at this point from my lfs which seems clean. I went to petsmart this weekend and couldn’t buy any ghost shrimp due to deplorable conditions. My lfs doesn’t carry ghost shrimp unfortunately. From now on, I’d quarantine tank new ones.

 

[AquaticJ]

I do the bucket and net method, and only pour my water in the bag if they’re sensitive or there’s a drastic PH difference. The water could contain numerous things like medication, salt, ammonia/nitrite/nitrate, it could be full of poop from the fish, and it could carry things the fish hasn’t yet contracted.

 

[Annie59]

"Most" of the time I let the fish float in the bag for about 20 minutes then start adding tank water then pour them in a net over a bucket. But that being said I have done all you posted. The only thing I have never done is the drip acclimate.

 

[ystrout]

I drip acclimate. So I pour the fish into a 5 gallon bucket, then take an air hose and start a siphon. You want to tie a knot in the hose so it drips slowly. After about 30 minutes to an hour (depending on how fast the drip is), you can put them in the main tank. This allows them to adjust to the tank's PH and temperature over an hour rather than being dumped in immediately.

I wouldn't worry about hurting the fish's slime coat by using a net or picking them up with your hands. Picking fish up or petting them gently (some fish like Koi actually like this) with wet hands has no affect on their coat. Nets are just easier to get the fish.

As for not putting their tank water in the tank. If you use a quarantine tank, then you can avoid potential disease. But if the fish are going directly into your tank, adding the fish adds the same risk for disease.

 

[YATT]

I drip acclimate. So I pour the fish into a 5 gallon bucket, then take an air hose and start a siphon. You want to tie a knot in the hose so it drips slowly. After about 30 minutes to an hour (depending on how fast the drip is), you can put them in the main tank. This allows them to adjust to the tank's PH and temperature over an hour rather than being dumped in immediately.

I wouldn't worry about hurting the fish's slime coat by using a net or picking them up with your hands. Picking fish up or petting them gently (some fish like Koi actually like this) with wet hands has no affect on their coat. Nets are just easier to get the fish.

As for not putting their tank water in the tank. If you use a quarantine tank, then you can avoid potential disease. But if the fish are going directly into your tank, adding the fish adds the same risk for disease.

Yeah, check out my bucket pic above and you can see the airline tubing with a knot tied in it. I tightened the knot to get about a drip a second.

 

[hbstriker]

I drip acclimated my last 5 fish, two guppies, two cardinals, and a betta. After having losses, assuming due to stress, from the float and slow intro of water, tried the drip method. All fish colored up right away and seem to experience minimal to no stress. I put the fish and most of the store water in a smallish container, as I only have a 29g, just enough to fill the container halfway in dark area near the tank. I Use an airline and a small valve to adjust flow to one to two drops per second initially. As soon the container is full, I dump half the water out and restart the drip. I’ll do this a many times, and has taken an hour for the last few arrivals, each. I feel this almost guarantees most of the shop water is gone, and the fish have very slowly adjusted to my parameters. I can then lower the container into the aquarium and let them swim out on their own.

 

[Gone]

I drop and plop.

In the past I always drip acclimated because it seemed to make sense. Then I studied some reports by fishkeepers I respected and they drop and plop because of the pH swings and ammonia reactions when you open a bag of fish. Here's a video of several prominent fish folks at a trade show talking about how they add fish to their aquariums.

 

[alicia_lynn]

I drop and plop.

In the past I always drip acclimated because it seemed to make sense. Then I studied some reports by fishkeepers I respected and they drop and plop because of the pH swings and ammonia reactions when you open a bag of fish. Here's a video of several prominent fish folks at a trade show talking about how they add fish to their aquariums.

I think that has a lot to do with how long the fish has been in the bag for. 15 minutes for the drive home from the fish store is different from multiple hours to a day when you're shipping fish. If they've been in the bag for a while then yes, you don't want them in there any longer than necessary especially once it's open, so normal acclimation isn't necessarily a good option, but if it's under an hour then normal acclimation methods are possible, and should result in lower stress.

 

[AvalancheDave]

Somebody please tell me what "plop" and "drop" are. Are you supposed to drop the fish on the floor before plopping it into the tank?

Also, if the goal is getting the fish out of the bag water as quickly as possible, why aren't people arguing that we pay extra for the fastest shipping method (overnight with delivery by 8:30 am). That would save up to 6.5 hrs vs. standard overnight delivery by 3 pm.

 

[Fashooga]

I would pour tank water into the bag after I float them and than I slowly pour them into a bucket. Net the fish and put them into the tank. Rinse and repeat.

 

[alicia_lynn]

Somebody please tell me what "plop" and "drop" are. Are you supposed to drop the fish on the floor before plopping it into the tank?

Also, if the goal is getting the fish out of the bag water as quickly as possible, why aren't people arguing that we pay extra for the fastest shipping method (overnight with delivery by 8:30 am). That would save up to 6.5 hrs vs. standard overnight delivery by 3 pm.

Haha I think plop and drop is just more fun to say. And personally, I think with the shipping it has a lot to do with the cost. Here in Canada it's pretty much impossible to buy fish online so I haven't done it myself yet, the one place that I found puts them on a plane and you meet them at the airport the same day so it's not that long in the bag.

 

[Gone]

Somebody please tell me what "plop" and "drop" are. Are you supposed to drop the fish on the floor before plopping it into the tank?[/QUOTE}

Also, if the goal is getting the fish out of the bag water as quickly as possible, why aren't people arguing that we pay extra for the fastest shipping method (overnight with delivery by 8:30 am). That would save up to 6.5 hrs vs. standard overnight delivery by 3 pm.

With all the detailed explanations of drop and plop I'm not sure how you could come up with that. Sorry, I can't help you beyond what has already been explained.

I think getting the fastest shipping is a great idea, but it doesn't have anything to do with the method of adding the fish to the tank once you receive them.

I know what works for me, and I know others have different methods that work for them.

 

[Culprit]

It depends on the fish. Most of the time if it(they) are from my LFS I'll just float the bag for 10 minutes or so to temp acclimate, open the bag, immediatly put a drop of Prime in, and take a cup or two out and replace it with tank water 3-4 times, then net the fish and plop it in. If its been shipped or been in the bag for a long time, plop and drop. Shrimp I will drip acclimate but that about it.

Plop and drop is a proven method. Basically you temp acclimate by floating, then open the bag and immediatly net the fish out and plop it in the tank.

 

[Hunter1]

The only thing I didn’t see (maybe I missed it) is to get your net wet before you drain the bag through the net into the bucket.

This will help to protect the slime coat.

 

[ystrout]

Another thing to consider is that most fish stores are using tap water. So if you buy your fish from a local store, chances are the ph will be the same as yours. The exception is if you make your own RO water, have a planted tank with substrate that changes the parameters, or have excessive wood in the tank.

It's good to check with your store to see if they really are using water. And on short trips home, I believe it's always best to acclimate them via drip. But because you're probably using the same water as your fish store, temperature is LIKELY more important than PH acclimation. You can do that by setting the closed bag in your aquarium for an hour.