Purchasing Fish and Water Parameters

[RaymondL]

When it comes to purchasing saltwater fish and corals, I'm assuming that the water parameters between the fish store and home has a great impact on the health of the corals and fish.

How does one prevent shocking the inhabitants with such a big swing in water parameters? Ie. dKH

Thanks

 

[fishski13]

So for fish I always use drip acclimation for a certain amount of time depending on size of fish. This helps make sure the temp, salinity, and pH of the water are the same. This is the biggest thing you have to worry about for fish.

For coral I dont really acclimate them in this way. I take 1 gallon of my tank water and use that water to dip it for a certain amount of time. But not sure if this is the correct way, this is just what always works for me.

 

[RaymondL]

So for fish I always use drip acclimation for a certain amount of time depending on size of fish. This helps make sure the temp, salinity, and pH of the water are the same. This is the biggest thing you have to worry about for fish.

For coral I dont really acclimate them in this way. I take 1 gallon of my tank water and use that water to dip it for a certain amount of time. But not sure if this is the correct way, this is just what always works for me.

Thanks for replying - I'll do the same. For example with a small fish, let's say a Clown, what period of time would you use in the drip acclimation?

 

[lulubap]

Thanks for replying - I'll do the same. For example with a small fish, let's say a Clown, what period of time would you use in the drip acclimation?

Rule of thumb for me is always 45 minutes-1 hour. This is what I tell customers at work. It's always better to over drip than under drip.

 

[fishski13]

Thanks for replying - I'll do the same. For example with a small fish, let's say a Clown, what period of time would you use in the drip acclimation?

I would do anything from 30-60 minutes. When I got my clowns I think I did 45 minutes just because I had another fish and a bunch of snails and crabs to get acclimated. Since I had that much water from all the original bags I tried to double that water volume in the bucket.

I have also heard that say if you order fish online when they come it shipped it better to do lets say 30 minutes just because they are so stressed it better to get them into the tank ASAP