From Shipping Bag to Tank

[Slayvoff]

So I get the drip method to acclimate salinity and floating before that to acclimate temp. But when a fish is shipped in the sealed bags, the oxygen becomes CO2 right? And the ammonia is being produced throughout the trip which isn't as deadly because there isn't fresh oxygen in the bag. But when you open the bag upon arrival and oxygen rushes in, that ammonia becomes immediately lethal right?

So how can everyone just open the bag and drip acclimate from the tank to the bag without the fish suffering ammonia poisoning? Am I misunderstanding the chemistry of it all, or am I missing a step?

 

[Diesel]

So I get the drip method to acclimate salinity and floating before that to acclimate temp. But when a fish is shipped in the sealed bags, the oxygen becomes CO2 right? And the ammonia is being produced throughout the trip which isn't as deadly because there isn't fresh oxygen in the bag. But when you open the bag upon arrival and oxygen rushes in, that ammonia becomes immediately lethal right?

So how can everyone just open the bag and drip acclimate from the tank to the bag without the fish suffering ammonia poisoning? Am I misunderstanding the chemistry of it all, or am I missing a step?

Cause the ammonia level isn't that high yet.
The longer in the bag the more ammonia.
When a fish ships it will take no longer than 12hrs in most cases to be at the place of destination.

Here's my $0.02, let bag float for 20 min not longer and observe the fish, drip acclimate for maybe 10 min and release into the QT for further observation on any deceases it might have.
After the QT period that can be as much as 8 weeks it's ready to be in your tank.
Any other way is asking for trouble on your current livestock in the DT.

 

[GHsaltie]

You can use an ammonia reducer such as seachem prime while you acclimate the fish. It's a good idea though to check with the vendor and make sure they do not use copper in their systems as copper+ammonia reducers is a toxic combo.

 

[eatbreakfast]

You would be surprised how high ammonia can get in a shipping bag. Since it's measured in parts per million, it doesn't take much to bring the ammonia to a toxic level.

Ideally matching qt or acclimation bucket to the salinity of the bagged water is best. Some will take a hypodermic needle to get a water sample and tape the hole back up. Then once the water is ready, netting the fish out without adding any of the fish's water.

If you're uncomfortable testing with the needle or are worried how long it will take to prepare the water on the spot, you could contact the company you are getting the fish from, and find out their salinity, and prepare the water in advance. In this case, I recommend having the salinity be a little lower than planned, in case they are off, it easier on fish to go to a lower salinity than a higher salinity.

Don't use ammonia reducers unless you know for sure meds aren't in the water.

 

[Fishfinder]

Here's my method, works great.
1. Prepare QT tank to 1.020 (rare to have shipping bag higher than that)
2. Don't fill QT tank all the way up. I put 15gal of water in my 25 gal. Leave extra room at the top.
3. Have extra RO water handy
4. Receive the fish and float the bag in your QT for 20-30min. While it is floating poke a hole in the bag to test the SG then tape the hole back up.
5. Match your QTs SG to the bag. Add your extra RO water if needed.
6. After 30 min, net the fish and place him in QT

I've received fish all the way down to 1.014 and never had an issue