How do you acclimate your fish?

I will put them in a small black bucket like some seachem stuff is packed in this is to allow them to clam down. I let them set there for 1/2 or so then I simply take my hand and easy like slide it up under the fish and they all always just lay quiet and almost go limp I then with fish in my palm easily lay them into the tanks water.. Then they will slowly swim off and they stay calm and not dive right for the rocks.. They will swim about and just blend in.. Thats is how I acclimate LOL I never worry about the temps as they are very close room 75 tank 78 I think its the lack of stress and clam way I put them into the water makes more of a difference. I even Have the Boss here doing it that way now

 

I've done both methods (float & drip). Both work well.

I make a habit of never putting any water from the LFS into my tank.

@ Tangmeister:
Wow, that's a really interesting way of doing it. I am going to try this method on my next purchase. One question though.....aren't you afraid that the fish may slip out of your grasp, and, do you do the same method for larger fish?

 

He isn't but I am I've never had this happen before but I still have to psyche myself up before I stick my hand in the bucket We do this for all fish, regardless of size.

 

Thats amazing.... You two are like fish whisperers...

 

I'd be scared to grab a lionfish

 

Whenever I bring home fish from the LFS, I turn off the tank lights and let it float to get the equal temperatures. Then I just drip acclimate for maybe an hour or two. After that I just use a cup and scoop out the fish and let it swim out by itself.

You should ask your fish store what level their salinity is at. The fish store that I went to kept their salinity low, around 1.023 area, and they told me that you wouldn't need to acclimate for such a long time because, we usually keep our salinity around the 1.024-1.026 area. As for corals, I usually float them in the bag, pour maybe 3 or 4 cups of the tank water slowly, and then just put it in.

 

I use this method for fish lion or rabbit fish . been adding my fish like this for ever and never a problem just never grab them just let them lay in your open hand . You can do it and you will be amazed as to how the fish react to this treatment. The Dog whisper is just Full of B/S its unreal he just know's the nature of the beast as my uncle did and what I learned as his attack dog training dummy . All heerd and pack and school animals all act the same there is always an alpha male and alpha ***** .The problems only happen when people/ humans try to treat their animals as humans and they are not .

 

I like the idea personally, excited to try it out. Seems like a lot less work and you've led me to no harm so far, don't see you doing so now. karma to you my friend.

 

Ya I'm going to try that method as well.

I've read so many bad things that can happen if you acclimate fish over long periods in there bag. O2 depletion and PH spikes.

Before I used to float the bag for 20min then open it in a small bucket. Then add 1/4 cup of water every 15min for about 1hour.

I drip inverts in a small bucket and I do not acclimate corals

J

 

I've done it Otty's way for two decades and never had a problem. I will admit that Tangsters way sounds interesting, must try itnext time.