Acclimation Box

[ca1ore]

Had a few folks ask me about the acclimation box I use. It’s an excellent, though not entirely foolproof way of assessing the potential aggression a new fish may receive from the resident ‘mob’ thus improving the chances of a successful introduction. Not foolproof in the sense that sometimes a new fish gets ignored in the box but then given a really hard time upon release, but that’s more exception than rule. Lots of boxes for sale, but easy enough to make your own or adapt things like the critter carrier box. In my case, I wanted a box bigger than most would need; one that could accommodate four medium fish for a few days. I also wanted it to hang in the tank rather than be pinned or clipped to the tank side so that resident fish could swim around all sides.

It’s stunningly simple. Clear acrylic sides, eggcrate ends (with screening for small fish), a white acrylic bottom, some PVC and black tops on each end that fit into the top cutout in my acrylic display. All glued together with thickened acrylic cement. Since the ends are open to flow, new fish get food with the rest of the population.

 

[saltyhog]

Outstanding ca1ore! I may have to try my hand at duplicating that box!

 

[sc50964]

Thanks for sharing. I’m looking to make one myself as well!