Acclimation Guide

Acclimation

Fish, corals, and invertebrates are very sensitive to changes in temperature, pH, and salinity. It is important to properly acclimate your livestock to ensure a smooth transition between shipping and your own aquarium. In addition to this, it is highly recommended that you also quarantine all new specimens in a separate aquarium for two weeks to minimize the possibility of introducing pathogens to your aquarium. 

Fish, coral, and invertebrates must be acclimated separately. DO NOT MIX THEM. Do not introduce the water in our shipping bags into your own aquarium. The water we ship with our fish contains Cupramine, which is TOXIC to corals and invertebrates. 

The specific gravity of our fish saltwater is kept between 1.019 - 1.021.

Corals and Invertebrates are shipped in water similar to natural sea water. It does not contain any copper or any other medication.

Please adhere to the following procedure when acclimating your livestock:

1. Turn off the lights on the aquarium. Keep them off for at least four hours after your specimens are introduced into the aquarium. 

2. Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for a period of 15 minutes. Letting the sealed bag immerse in your aquarium will allow the temperature of the water in the shipping bag to slowly adjust to the temperature of your aquarium

3. Empty the contents of each bag into separate buckets. Ensure all animals are fully submerged in water.

4. Add water from your aquarium into the bucket over a period of 15 minutes. You can drip or scoop water from your aquarium into the bucket. The water volume should be triple of the initial water volume you started with at the end of the 15 minute period. After tripling the water volume, let the animals sit in the bucket for 15 minutes.

5. Net out the animal from the bucket. Carefully net out the animals out of the bucket. Do not add any of the water in the bucket to your aquarium.

Tips:

  • This is a time consuming procedure, don't rush it. Plan the acclimation period for 1 hour ahead of time.
  • Do not place an air stone into the shipping bag. This will drastically increase the pH of the shipping water and expose the animal to lethal amount of ammonia.
  • Invertebrates and corals are more sensitive to salinity. They must be acclimated to specific gravity of 1.023-1.025. 
  • Sponges, clams, scallops, and gorgonians cannot endure direct exposure to air. They must be covered with water at all times during the acclimation.
  • Do not touch the fleshy part of the coral. Doing so may cause damage.
  • It can take several days for your coral to fully acclimate to the new aquarium. During this time, do not be alarmed if your coral does not open up immediately. 
  • If a new fish is harassed by an older fish, isolate the older fish. Do not isolate the new fish, allow it to explore and adapt to the new aquarium.