Acclimation issue..

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I

iloveyouDIE

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 29, 2010
344
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Philadelphia
We have had a comet goldfish for YEARS. It's been living in our community tank with our cichlids, silver dollars etc. We just upgraded to a 150 gallon tank and our silver dollars have gotten a big growth spurt. I knew about the fin nipping aspect of their life but as they've grown it's increasing, but only in relation to our goldfish's lovely fins.

My aunt has an outdoor goldfish and koi pond and we'd like to move our goldfish into there. The only worry I have is the water temperature. I know that naturally they are a cooler temperature fish, but she has been living in 76-84 water for many years now.

Whats the best way for me to acclimate her to the pond when I bring her there, without shocking the fish? Should I even worry about it? The weather has been HOT lately here but on Sunday their pond water was fairly cool to the touch.
 
Do you still have the small tank from before the upgrade? If you do I was going to say keep the comet in there and gradually turn down the thermometer a degree every other day? If you don't still have the tank then maybe find a cheap one on craigslist or something? Thats the only thing I can think of. I think goldfish are pretty strong so you might be able to get away with just putting it in the pond but that might be a risk of shock. Good luck!
 
I do have the old tank, and I did propose the idea to my spouse. The only thing is that my 2 empty tanks both need cleanings and it seems like a lot of work when I plan on taking the goldfish over on Saturday. So to overhaul clean those empties only for a couple days seems like too much.

I think that we will put her in a bucket of tank water, then driving to my aunt's the temperature should adjust to the air (it's not very far away though), and then when we get there perhaps doing a slow mix. A cup of pond water spaced out over time. Keeping an eye on the fish to make sure she's good. With the weather being so nice.. I think it should be fine as long as we keep an eye on her.

Maybe even put the bucket IN the pond, sitting on a rock or something, to let the temps equalize.
 
i acclimate my koi and goldfish from my tropical pond back to my outdoor pond in the spring and that is how i do it and havent lost any YET due to shock from the acclimation. i do as you said and sit the bucket in the pond (the pond water will be colder than the air temperature) after about an hour i take the bucket off the rock and slowly tip it so pond water starts slowly flowing into the bucket, once the bucket is all the way full i turn it on its side and pour the water and fish gently into the pond. simple easy, main thing is to let the bucket sit for about an hour (gives you time to hang out with your aunt for a while).
 
Thanks a lot! This is exactly the kind of thing I needed to hear.
 
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