What is Acclimation and why do we do it?
Acclimation is a term you may have heard a few times while buying any aquatic plant or animal, or even for plants for your home and garden- but what does it mean actually? By definition, acclimation is the process of becoming accustomed to a new situation or habitat. So, simply acclimation is the process needed to have new plants and animals become accustomed to their new homes. In this write up, we will explain two methods of acclimating your new aquatic friends. We will make a separate acclimation guide for plants in a later date.
How do we acclimate fish?
There are two main ways of acclimating fish- the "Float the Bag" method and the "Drip Acclimation" method.
The “Float method”
- This method is used when the water parameters are fairly close ( the suppliers water quality and yours)
- This method is used often when moving aquatic friends from quarantine tanks to main display tanks or ponds
- This method is usually used on strong/hardier species
- This method is usually mostly on fishy friends
- Standard acclimation time : 45 minutes - 1 hour
The Drip Method
- This method is used when the water parameters are NOT close ( the suppliers water quality and yours)
- This method is best used when fish have traveled for longer periods or are more stressed than usual
- This is the best method to use on invertebrate friends.
- Standard acclimation time : 1-3 hours
There are also a few other methods, but for the most part these two the most widely used and easiest for the home aquarist. These methods can be used after your friends have been properly quarantined, both into their quarantine tank and after when they are all ready to go into your main display aquarium or pond.
Even though we strive to offer the healthiest and best livestock, your new friends may be stressed from shipping and handling, and may still get sick.
What and why do we Quarantine before adding our new friends to their forever homes?
As you all may know, the current state of our world has been majorly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine has become a mainstay in some of our lives, as an effort to stave off outbreak.
Just like humans, our plant and animal friends can also get pathogens and diseases, especially if they are stressed. Even when buying from a reputable supplier, there are still times where pathogens/diseases can sneak through- this is one of the main reasons we Quarantine (qt for short.) By having a qt regimen in place, you will greatly reduce any possible infections which can occur while adding new friends to your home. Quarantining also provides you with a peace of mind, knowing that you are caring for not only your new friends, but also making sure not to get your old friends sick either.
We STRONGLY suggest you set up a quarantine regimen. Some will not adhere to quarantining new additions, but there is a much higher risk of wiping out your new and existing friends this way- in the end, don’t we want to provide the best and healthiest care to our friends?
I will make a blog post specifically about Quarantine and a step by step procedure to help you set up a quarantine regimen for you and your new friends.
Float Bag Method:
Ingredients needed:
- Aquatic friend in bag
- Clothespin or small clamp
- Clean Shot glass or small cup
- Clean net and bucket or bowl
- Quarantine tank or established Aquaria or pond.
- First, once you receive your new aquatic friend, while still bagged, gently place the bag into the aquarium so it floats on the surface. This helps to get the internal temperature of the bag close to or the same as temperature of your aquarium water. This step usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
- Second, bring the bag close to the edge of the aquarium (or in an area where your lid will be able to close onto the bag). Then, open the bag (try to open it as close to the top of the bag as possible) and clip it to the side where it will remain still and no longer float around the aquarium- a clothespin works well for this, or a small clamp.
- Thirdly, get a clean small cup or shot glass (running it under hot water helps to clean it, beware of soap, you don't want to poison your new friends!) and fill it with tank water. Add this water to the bag and wait for about 10-15 minutes. This helps to get the fish acclimatized to the chemical makeup of your water (will make a blog post and link here for this). You may need to close the bag, as they may want to jump out.
- Repeat step three for about 3-4 times, or until the water has doubled in the bag. At this step, you can ready a clean net over a bowl/bucket near to the tank.
- Finally, once the water in the bag has doubled, carefully take the bag and pour into the clean net, and gently add your new friend to the tank or pond! I always like to take an extra 30-60 minutes after acclimation to observe your new addition- this helps to ensure they have a smooth transition into their new home and to make sure they are getting along with their new tank/pond mates. Enjoy your new friend!
Drip Acclimation Method
Ingredients needed:
- Aquatic friend in bag
- A clean bucket/container *(see below)*
- A length of airline tubing, enough to reach from inside of your tank into the bucket/container( this will be your “Acclimation Hose”), or drip acclimation kit
- A set of clothespins or small clamps
- An air pump with airline tubing and air stone
- A clean pitcher/bowl , to remove acclimation water
- A clean net
- A cover or towel for the bucket/container
- First, once you receive your new aquatic friend, while still bagged, gently place the bag into the aquarium so it floats on the surface. This helps to get the internal temperature of the bag close to or the same as temperature of your aquarium water. This step usually takes about 15-20 minutes. While this is happening, set up your bucket/ container. Secure the airline tubing with clothespins or small clamps– one end into the tank and the other into the bucket/ container. Set up the air pump with the air stone in the bucket/container, and the air pump above the bucket/container- this prevents back siphoning of water into the pump.
- Second, once the bag has been temperature acclimated, add your new friend to the bucket*- make sure there is enough water so they are not out of the water or stressing out, so chose bucket/container size accordingly. Turn the air pump on.
- Thirdly, make sure one end of the airline tubing (your “Acclimation hose”) is secured and in the aquarium or pond, and the other end is leading into the acclimation container. Start a siphon by sucking on the end that is leading into the acclimation bucket, but make sure to pay attention to how quickly the water is coming through, or you will end up with a mouthful of aquarium/pond water! Once the water is flowing through the acclimation hose, make a loose knot in the end leading into the bucket, allowing about 2-4 drops of water per second into the bucket (hence “drip method”). Some acclimation kits will have a small valve which you can use and adjust accordingly.
- Fourthly, as your friend is dripping make sure to cover with a lid or towel to ensure they are less stressed and won’t jump out!
- This process will take about 30-45 minutes. Once the water completely fills the bucket/container, use the bowl or pitcher to empty half of the water out, and let it fill again. Total acclimation time should be around 1-1.5 hours.
- Once the bucket/container has filled completely again, you may empty the water to a low level to ensure easy of catching your friend. Take a clean net, and gently add your new friend to the tank or pond! I always like to take an extra 30-60 minutes after acclimation to observe your new addition- this helps to ensure they have a smooth transition into their new home and to make sure they are getting along with their new tank/pond mates. Enjoy your new friend!
We hope this Acclimation procedure helps you to get your new friends safely accustomed to their new homes! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at paradisetropicalsflorida@gmail.com