Acclimation methods with new fish

[African_Fever]

Rather than hijacking the thread about the flower ray with troubles, I thought I'd start a new thread about acclimating new fish to your tank.

I just got in an order over the weekend directly from Peru, and used the 'squirt and dump' method with all of the rays - 4 motoro's and 2 tigers. I opened the bag, dropped in a half capfull of prime within seconds, waited a minute or two, and scooped the fish up and dropped it immediately into my waiting tank. All fish are still alive, and appear to be doing well so far. I would think if the shock were too much for them they would've succumbed to it by now. I know I'm definitely not the most experienced at this, but it worked for me, and the theory behind it definitely makes more sense than dripping in water.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

What is your theory on the drip method? Why doesnt it make sense to you?

 

[Paullywolly]

All fish are still alive, and appear to be doing well so far. I would think if the shock were too much for them they would've succumbed to it by now. I know I'm definitely not the most experienced at this, but it worked for me, and the theory behind it definitely makes more sense than dripping in water.

wow... risky. Dropping a fish right into the tank without any acclimation can cause temperature & pH shocks which are often not apparent until the next day or two. Why expose them to unecessary stress like that? Float a container in the tank to acclimate temperature, and add capfuls of tank water to it every 10-20 mins or so for an hour. Put a floating plant in the container to calm the fish down.

 

[JD7.62]

The theory is as I understand;

Fish in a bag with ammonia lowers pH, lower pH equals less toxic ammonia, dripping raises pH and hardness (unless your tank is really soft and acidic) causing the once less toxic ammonia to become toxic again. I think the pure o2 used may also be a part of it but Im not sure...

To me the ammonia will kill a sensitive fish like a tiger long before it causes the pH to drop to allow the ammonia to become "less toxic." I drip...take out half of original water and drip the rest to acclimate temp and pH. If Im concerned about ammonia I will add a bit of Prime.

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Nice rays but i agree very risky.

 

[highback]

The theory is as I understand;

Fish in a bag with ammonia lowers pH, lower pH equals less toxic ammonia, dripping raises pH and hardness (unless your tank is really soft and acidic) causing the once less toxic ammonia to become toxic again. I think the pure o2 used may also be a part of it but Im not sure...

To me the ammonia will kill a sensitive fish like a tiger long before it causes the pH to drop to allow the ammonia to become "less toxic." I drip...take out half of original water and drip the rest to acclimate temp and pH. If Im concerned about ammonia I will add a bit of Prime.

i did the same as you said except adding prime and take half the water out. For my case, i think my ray got stress and death curl because the seller got the shipment on Sunday and ship it out the next day. Don't you think this also one of the cause.

 

[milkman407]

Thats risky as he*l, the best thing to do is when you get a fish in; take out some of the original water from the bag, and start dripping. if your worried about the ammonia, than just add some prime..

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

The theory is as I understand;

Fish in a bag with ammonia lowers pH, lower pH equals less toxic ammonia, dripping raises pH and hardness (unless your tank is really soft and acidic) causing the once less toxic ammonia to become toxic again. I think the pure o2 used may also be a part of it but Im not sure...

To me the ammonia will kill a sensitive fish like a tiger long before it causes the pH to drop to allow the ammonia to become "less toxic." I drip...take out half of original water and drip the rest to acclimate temp and pH. If Im concerned about ammonia I will add a bit of Prime.

Im a bit confused with this statement, whats the difference between less toxic and toxic ammonia? Are you talking about amount in the water or strength of the actual ammonia?

 

[JD7.62]

Im a bit confused with this statement, whats the difference between less toxic and toxic ammonia? Are you talking about amount in the water or strength of the actual ammonia?

From what Ive read, ammonia is less toxic to a fish the lower the pH is and that is what I mean by it.

Remember back in the old days (Jerry Im sure you do ) every one said to keep sensitive fish you have to keep that pH low? Well now that we understand bio-filtration and its relationship to ammonia the general consensus is that we can keep those sensitive fish in tanks with a higher pH as long as the ammonia levels are at zero. This is because when you had a pH of 5.8 the ammonia had little effect on the fish. Lower pH = less toxic ammonia. Again, from what Ive read!

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Remember back in the old days (Jerry Im sure you do )

Hey!!! Did you just call me an old man? LOL Well then respect your elders and send me something "terrible" to drink!

Thanks for the info....