Aclimation rate for BTA

[ClownWrangler]

I brought home a black widow BTA in a 5 gallon bucket half full of water attached to a good sized live rock. I was shocked to see that the salinity was at 1.031. I've never seen it that high for any fish I have brought home. My DT is at 1.025 and I have some RBTAs in it already that have been happy for several months. How long should I stretch the drip acclimation for such a drastic change? Should I just set up aeration, circulation and heater in the bucket and aclimate over several days?

 

[James M]

IMO the best way to acclimate bubble tips are to temp acclimate and then drop them in

 

[ClownWrangler]

IMO the best way to acclimate bubble tips are yo temp acclimate and then drop them in

Even with such a big change in salinity?

 

[ClownWrangler]

Something else is on the rock. The seller told me what it is, but I forgot. What is it? I dont want to kill it if it's alive.

 

[James M]

Even with such a big change in salinity?

IMO yes but drip if you’re more comfortable with that method

Something else is on the rock. The seller told me what it is, but I forgot. What is it? I dont want to kill it if it's alive.

That’s a montipora

 

[4tanks]

I was told if they are full of water ie puffed up as you'd expect to see them then they can go straight In. If they are deflated then slow acclimate mine was inflated and straight in It went no problems.

 

[ClownWrangler]

I was told if they are full of water ie puffed up as you'd expect to see them then they can go straight In. If they are deflated then slow acclimate mine was inflated and straight in It went no problems.

Ok. Thanks. I have just been adding a cup of RO water every hour or so until it reaches 1.025. The tentacles are swelling some, which is to be expected given the direction of osmotic pressure change. Otherwise it looks fine. Will temp acclimate now and drop it in.

 

[ClownWrangler]

Thanks for the advice. All is well with the nem. My maroon clown approves. She wouldn’t touch the RBTAs when I gave her a beautiful live rock full of them, but went straight for the black widow.

 

[laverda]

I see it is to late now, but for others and future additions. BTAs don't like big alkalinity changes more than salinity specificly. With salinity that high it is likely the alk is high as well. Alkalinity swings are a stressor and contributer to splitting. I would drip acimate it for an hour or so.