Acclimation Box- does it really help?

ClearRain · Jan 17, 2017

I have a Majestic Angel in my reef that hates when I try to introduce a tang to the tank. He's about 5" long and girthy, happy, and healthy. In the past 6 months he's killed 2 desjardini tangs and 2 hawaiian nasos.. Both Nasos were his size, and one of the DST was even larger. He's been in the tank a year now with my 6 line wrasse and cleaner shrimp. He doesn't bother them, I'm guessing because they were already in the tank before he arrived. So.. I want to try again with a Scopas tang. Should I try an acclimation box? Anyone had success with them in this type of situation? I really don't want to catch the angel and "reintroduce" him to the tank, Id like to avoid the chances of him breaking out in ick due to stress especially if it doesn't even make a difference. Anyone's input would be appreciated.

evolved · Jan 17, 2017

Absolutely. And if nothing else, it lets you find out without the new guy getting killed.

Written in regard to wrasses, but universally applicable: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/the-acclimation-box-can-this-thing-really-work.16/

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 17, 2017

ClearRain said:
Should I try an acclimation box?

IME, yes.

nerses818 · Jan 17, 2017

I recently used the box to introduce a purple tang to a yellow and scopas tang. Worked pretty well. If nothing else it allows you to feed and monitor the new addition in the tank for a bit without worrying about how badly he's getting beat up. I kept my purple tang in there for about a week and a half made sure he was eating well and was nice and fat before letting him loose with the other established big boys

Scubabeth · Jan 17, 2017

While we have not used an acclimation box with a larger fish, we had good success introducing a royal gramma to our tank back around Thanksgiving. After quarantining him, we tried to introduce the gramma just by putting him in the tank as we were feeding. The cherub angel initiated the bullying and the rest of the crew kind of jumped on the band wagon, so we pulled the rg out and put him back into QT. We ordered the acclimation box, and kept him in it until it seemed none of the other fish were paying him any mind (about a week). After release, the cherub did chase the gramma halfheartedly for about 10 minutes, but then stopped. All has been well with all inhabitants since. +1 for the acclimation box method!

Salty1962 · Jan 18, 2017

Yes, they do work. I was introducing a new wrasse to my tank and the Mystery Wrasse I had at the time, relentlessly attack the acclimation box with the new wrasse in it. If I hadn't introduced in an AE box I know the Mystery would have chased it all day

Concept works for all fish.

Waters · Jan 18, 2017

As everybody else stated, absolutely. I will never introduce another fish again into an established tank without using one. Much easier to remove the new fish if necessary if it is sitting in a box.