Looking for some recommendations on when to simply float a new fish and add water over time to acclimatize or when it is necessary to do the drip method? Would both of these methods be comparable? Does the size of the fish make the difference?
When to Float the Bag or When to Slow Drip
- Thread starter jag123
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when acclimating fish i float for 10 mins to match water temp then drip so the fish can get used to the water paramaters. so i use both because if you float to match the temp, the fish might not be used to your tanks water params. Also if you slow drip it will take forever for the temp to match your tanks temp.
i dont think the size of the fish really matters...it is more important to know how sensitive the fish is.
hope this helps =]
i dont think the size of the fish really matters...it is more important to know how sensitive the fish is.
hope this helps =]
I've heard that discus breeders mainly just throw the fish in the water and they have survival rates very similar to using the drip method. I personally usually float for a minute or two then just dump the fish in. Haven't lost a single fish yet from this.
depends on the type of fish and its general health upon recieving IMO. also if the lfs has the same water as you as that helps. my lfs use tap water and acclimate all their fish, even delicate ones like discus, to the local water as few of their customers have RO systems and they have said it has reduced the amount of DOA's.
if the fish is sensitive then a slow drip method used for salt water species should be used, slowly dripping your water in for up to 2 hours possibly more. while keeping the water to the same temp as your tank.
the other, which i use all the time as i dont have sensitive species, is to take ten minutes putting about a half pint of water in the bag every minute or so and keeping the fish to tank temp. then pour the water through the net to catch the fish and release.
a lot of people use the same method as X24 with great success. which you choose is up to you and the fish you have chose.
if the fish is sensitive then a slow drip method used for salt water species should be used, slowly dripping your water in for up to 2 hours possibly more. while keeping the water to the same temp as your tank.
the other, which i use all the time as i dont have sensitive species, is to take ten minutes putting about a half pint of water in the bag every minute or so and keeping the fish to tank temp. then pour the water through the net to catch the fish and release.
a lot of people use the same method as X24 with great success. which you choose is up to you and the fish you have chose.
Thanks for the comments - I will stick to the float method - usually go for about a total of 15-20 min with about a cup of water added every 5 min. I doesn't seem like a slow drip method will be very practical since the temperature will not maintain.
if the fish has been bagged for a long time exposure to oxygen can make the ammonia rich water toxic .... in this case i believe the quick dump method is in order
ShadowStryder;2009384; said:This is something I did not know. Thanks for the info.
i believe the ph changes...........
if you get a fish mailed to you then I would drip it but if you pick one up locally then you should be able to just float it.