Acclimation Practices

[shadynate]

I put my first order online for a few fish, some snails, and a couple coral. Can I pour all livestock into one container and acclimate them to my tank in that? Or should I avoid that and acclimate each individual specimen in their own bag? Thanks in advance.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I would worry about ammonia buildup in the bag for already stressed animals. Please acclimate separately. You’ll be less likely to lose any of your new friends!

 

[LPS Bum]

At the very least I’d suggest acclimating your fish and inverts separately. If the fish have copper or other meds in the shipping water, that’s not good for corals and inverts.

Beyond that it comes down to your personal preference. I’d definitely keep any fish that are likely to squabble in tight confines separated. Personally, I would never acclimate fish and invertebrates in the same container.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I would try to acclimate them all separately, because, one fishes bag could have disease, and the others could be fine, and then dumping water in with everything else could cause problems. But at the very least, acclimate corals and inverts together, and fish by themselves. This is because, some fish water have copper meds which could kill inverts and corals.

 

[betareef]

Unless the supplier, or store owner, tells you they are in the same water to start with, then do it separately.

btw. I do not acclimate snails nor hermits. Never had a problem with them. Maybe I should though ...