You've invested valuable time and money researching the habitat requirements of the fish and corals you wish to house. Naturally, you want to protect this investment by executing a proper acclimation process once the specimens arrive at your door.,The purpose of acclimation is simple: the water that the fish or corals are packaged in has different temperature, pH, and salinity parameters than your aquarium. Fish, and especially invertebrates (including corals), are very sensitive to even minor changes in these parameters, so proper acclimation is the key to ensuring their successful relocation.

1. Turn off aquarium lights. 

2. Dim the lights in the room where the shipping box will be opened. Never open the box in bright light - severe stress or trauma may result from sudden exposure to bright light. 

3. Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for 15 minutes. Never open the shipping bag at this time. This step allows the water in the shipping bag to adjust slowly to the temperature in the aquarium, while maintaining a high level of dissolved oxygen. 

4. After floating the sealed shipping bag for 15 minutes, open the bag  and roll the top edge of the bag down one inch to create an air pocket within the lip of the bag. This will enable the bag to float on the surface of the water. You can also transfer the water and critter to a small cup or bowl if you like to complete the rest of the process.

5. Add 1/4 cup of aquarium water to the shipping bag. 

6. Repeat step 5 every four minutes until the shipping bag is full or at least doubles the total amount of water. 

7. Net aquatic life from the shipping bag and release into the aquarium.

8. Remove the filled shipping bag from the aquarium and discard the water. 

Never release shipping water directly into the aquarium.
TOP