Quarantine - Best Way to Match Salinity Upon Arrival?

[nickkohrn]

Hello,

I set up a quarantine system to prepare for my next fish, and I have a question regarding salinity:

I have read many guides for quarantining fish, and some of them state that you should match the salinity of your quarantine tank to the salinity of the water that the fish was shipped in so that you can release it after the temperature-acclimation procedure is complete. I understand why drip-acclimation may not be suitable for fish that have been shipped, so I would like to know how I can, upon arrival, properly match the salinity of my quarantine system to the water that the fish will be shipped in.

Should I maintain a higher-than-normal salinity in my quarantine system so that I can replace some with fresh water, lowering the salinity of the quarantine system to match that of what's in the bag? Or, should I maintain a lower salinity and raise it to match that of what's in the bag? The latter may take significantly longer as I would be waiting for the salt to dissolve.

I suppose that I may be able to contact the shipper and ask what the salinity of the system is that the fish came from, but I understand that I may not get an answer in time, or at all. However, it's likely best to see if I can get that information so that I can prevent the mix-dilute dance after the fish has arrived.

Do you have any recommendations, precautions, experiences, or general thoughts to share?

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

If you don't know the value ahead of time, I find it easier to start with a higher solution and remove and replace with RODI to lower to the salinity to the bag.

 

[Michael Gray]

I'm going through thia now. fish expected tomorrow. My issue is live aquaria is 1.018-1.020. I got a few coming from there. I also have clowns coming from a place that is 1.024 captive bred. I have at set at 1.019. I'll tweak when they get here to match live aquaria. And I'll drip the clowns down from 1.024 to 1.019 or whatever LA fish arrive in. then topping off with 1.025 water to slowly raise to my display salinity. Which is 1.025.

I've been helped by humblefish. That was his recommendation.

I believe it's easier on fish to lower salinity. And raising should be slow slow.

 

[saltyhog]

Always check with the shipper to see what salinity they will ship at. If they won't cook that I don't buy from them!

As noted above, it's far easier on fish tho go down in salinity than up. I always set up about 0.001 less than they tell me. If you're at or within 0.002 below fish will tolerate that just fine. In fact, I have found fish tolerate that much up very well also. Salinity changes are MUCH less problematic for shipped fish than ammonia is!

 

[rkpetersen]

I suppose that I may be able to contact the shipper and ask what the salinity of the system is that the fish came from, but I understand that I may not get an answer in time, or at all.

Even if they do tell you, I wouldn't make plans based on it. The number they give you is often incorrect.
Keep your QT salinity on the high side, and drop it with RO water after you test the incoming water yourself.

 

[AiKkz]

I usually try to get my qt to 1.019 which is around what LA keeps their salinity, but a few times it’s come in at 1.026. When I get new fish I dump the entire contents of the bag in a bucket and immediately add prime, then I check salinity to ensure it matches my qt. If not then I adjust the qt salinity. ( I temp acclimate first before any of those steps)