Should I DRIP ACCLIMATE as a BEGINNER?

[Ocean’s Piece]

I know this process is highly controversial for many people from beginners to advanced reefers. I’m getting a royal gramma on Friday or Saturday of this week and I’m debating if I should attempt drip acclimation once bringing the fish home. My tank is 3 months old with no fish or corals. Parameters are very stable. I do not have a quarantine tank. Not trying to start a war, but should I drip acclimate my first fish or should I not and wait until I’m more advanced? If most of the reply’s say I shouldn’t, at the bare minimum, I’ll temperature acclimate for 30+ minutes.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I know this process is highly controversial for many people from beginners to advanced reefers. I’m getting a royal gramma on Friday or Saturday of this week and I’m debating if I should attempt drip acclimation once bringing the fish home. My tank is 3 months old with no fish or corals. Parameters are very stable. I do not have a quarantine tank. Not trying to start a war, but should I drip acclimate my first fish or should I not and wait until I’m more advanced? If most of the reply’s say I shouldn’t, at the bare minimum, I’ll temperature acclimate for 30+ minutes.

It’s complicated. Is the fish being shipped in? Can you match the tank salinity before you bring the fish home?

Quarantine is vastly more important than the acclimation method used!

Jay

 

[KingTideCorals]

I know this process is highly controversial for many people from beginners to advanced reefers. I’m getting a royal gramma on Friday or Saturday of this week and I’m debating if I should attempt drip acclimation once bringing the fish home. My tank is 3 months old with no fish or corals. Parameters are very stable. I do not have a quarantine tank. Not trying to start a war, but should I drip acclimate my first fish or should I not and wait until I’m more advanced? If most of the reply’s say I shouldn’t, at the bare minimum, I’ll temperature acclimate for 30+ minutes.

Everyone will have a different opinion, but for myself I like to drip acclimate if the salinity in the bag with the fish DOES NOT match my tanks salinity. I will test the salinity of the bag and then my tank and if they mirror one another than I will just do a temperature float!

All depends on the certain person, but if I have salinity levels that are different than I go for a drip acclimation! Hope this helps! Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

It’s complicated. Is the fish being shipped in? Can you match the tank salinity before you bring the fish home?

Quarantine is vastly more important than the acclimation method used!

Jay

No. Going a 15 minute ride to my LFS. They keep their salinity at 1.020 for fish and I keep mine at 1.024.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

No. Going a 15 minute ride to my LFS. They keep their salinity at 1.020 for fish and I keep mine at 1.024

It’s complicated. Is the fish being shipped in? Can you match the tank salinity before you bring the fish home?

Quarantine is vastly more important than the acclimation method used!

Jay

I may be able to ask if they can raise salinity in their tank that the fish is in to match my tanks before I get it. They’re one of the most reliable and trusted fish stores in my state. Never seen a sign of problems with any fish in there.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

Drip acclimating makes a fish go in smoothly

 

[reefer024]

I may be able to ask if they can raise salinity in their tank that the fish is in to match my tanks before I get it. They’re one of the most reliable and trusted fish stores in my state. Never seen a sign of problems with any fish in there.

I don't see them raising the salinity to match your tank.

 

[Gtinnel]

I may be able to ask if they can raise salinity in their tank that the fish is in to match my tanks before I get it. They’re one of the most reliable and trusted fish stores in my state. Never seen a sign of problems with any fish in there.

I seriously doubt they will chane their salinity, but generally people will make their quarantine match the stores salinity. If my fish is shipped or bought out of state I will not drip acclimate, but since it is coming from a local store I would drip if I were you.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

I don't see them raising the salinity to match your tank.

I seriously doubt they will chane their salinity, but generally people will make their quarantine match the stores salinity. If my fish is shipped or bought out of state I will not drip acclimate, but since it is coming from a local store I would drip if I were you.

Never asked but good to know. I’m sure the more acclimation the better so if there’s any I’m sure it’s more positive than none.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I generally float the bag for 25-30 minutes and release contents into a clean bucket, then add a cup of tank every 15 minutes 8x(2,hours) then test salinity to determine if I am close or need to add more tank water
I take same cup and trap fish in bucket rather than net and pour off water and release it

 

[ehealy13]

Never asked but good to know. I’m sure the more acclimation the better so if there’s any I’m sure it’s more positive than none.

I agree with the group, most LFS have many tanks on one sump so changing the salinity for a sale would be surprising. I would drip, or use a pipette to slowly add your tank water to the bag every 10 minutes or so for 30-45 minutes. Make sure there's oxygen for the fish. If at all possible, quarantine, or see if your LFS offers the service. I, like others, learned the hard way.

 

[Timfish]

I drip acclimate fish to my QT and I've been keeping reefs for over 3 decades.