Kolkata aquarium club - Fish Acclimatization

Kolkata Aquarium ClubKolkata Aquarium Club
Fishkeeping Simplified
www.kolkata-aquarium.com 1
An Introduction
to
Acclimatization
of your new pet

What is Acclimatization in Fishkeeping?
In fishkeeping acclimatization is the scientific process by
which any fish or invertebrate or coral gradually adjusts to
different changes in their environment(water) and to its
parameters like temperature, pH , TDS, GH ,KH , salinity,
amount of light etc.

When we need the Acclimatization?
Fish, Invertebrate or Coral acclimatization is required
whenever one wants to introduce a new sensitive specimen
to the tank.

Why should we Acclimatize?
Fishes or Invertebrates or Corals should be acclimatized due
to the following reasons:
1.To avoid death of newly introduced fish, invertebrate or coral.
2.To protect the fish or invertebrate from pH, temperature, Sp.
gravity shock.
3.Allowing the fish, invertebrate or coral to develop a strong
immunity and stay healthy for a long time.

Acclimatization Methods
Generally there are 3 ways of acclimatizing a fish or invertebrate
or coral:
1.Floating Bag Method
2.Advanced Floating Bag Method
3.Drip Method

Floating Bag Acclimatization
Step 1 : Remove the rubber bands from the plastic bag containing the fish
or invertebrate or coral.
Step 2 : Put the plastic bag carefully inside the tank and let it float on the
water surface or use a clip to get it attached to the tank wall.
Step 3 : Keep the bag for about 15-20 minutes so that the temperature of
the water inside the bag and of the tank water nearly become equal.
Step 4 : Gradually release the fishes or invertebrates or corals into the
tank.

Pros
The temperature of the water inside the bag and that of the tank water
slowly becomes equal thus avoiding temperature shock for the fish or
invertebrate or coral.
Cons
1. Water parameters like pH, TDS, GH, KH, salinity of the water inside the
bag and that of the tank water are not matched due to which fish or
invertebrate or coral may suffer several shocks and stress out ultimately
compromising their immune system and may even lead to death.

2. Since we are dumping the water from the bag into our tank, it posses
risks of introducing harmful bacteria and parasites that may be present
in the source water.
3. This method is not advisable for sensitive fishes like Discuss,
invertebrates like exotic shrimps and sensitive corals.

Advanced Floating Bag Acclimatization
Step 1 : Remove the rubber bands from the plastic bag containing the fish
or invertebrate or coral.
Step 2 : Put the plastic bag carefully inside the tank and let it float on the
water surface or use a clip to get it attached to the tank wall.
Step 3 : Keep the bag for about 5 minutes so that the temperature of the
water inside the bag and of the tank water nearly become equal.
Step 4 : Take a small cup and add small amount of water from the tank to
the bag and again wait for 5-10 minutes and continue this for 4-5 times.

This addition of small amount of water periodically, adjusts the water
parameters of the water inside the bag to the tank water .
Step 4 : Gradually release the fishes or invertebrates or corals into the
tank.

Pros
1.The temperature of the water inside the bag and that of the tank
water slowly becomes equal thus avoiding temperature shock for the
fish or invertebrate or coral.
1.Water parameters like pH, TDS, GH, KH, salinity of the water inside the
bag and that of the tank water are matched which prevents fish or
invertebrate or coral to suffer several shocks and stressing out which
compromises their immune system and may even lead to death.

Cons
Since we are dumping the water from the bag into our tank, it posses
risks of introducing harmful bacteria and parasites that may be present in
the source water.

Drip Acclimatization
This is the most safe and successful method of acclimatization practised by
advanced aquarist while adding the sensitive specimens to their tank.
What you will need

A household bucket

A smooth textured fish net

Airline tube of about 5feet

Air flow controller

One suction cup for holding airline tube

Bucket Suction CupAirflow Valve
Airline Tube

Drip Acclimatization
Step 1 : Remove the rubber bands from the plastic bag containing the fish or
invertebrate or coral.
Step 2 : Take the bucket and place it on the floor making a 45 degree angle.
Step 3 : Gently pour the fish or invertebrate or coral from the bag to the
bucket along with the water completely.
Step 4 : Take the airline tube and attach the airflow valve to one of its end
keeping the other free.

Step 5 : Place the free end of the airline tube inside the tank and attach it
to the inner wall of the tank using the suction cup. Place the other end
containing the airflow valve to the bucket.
Step 6 : Gently start siphoning using mouth(Be careful not swallow the
tank water) and let water drain from the lower part of the airline tubing
connected to airflow valve.
Step 7 : Adjust the airflow valve so that only 1-2 drops of water per
second falls into the bucket.
Step 8 : Let this dripping continue for about 1 hour (Though some
sensitive specimens require more time). In the meantime if the bucket
starts to fill up remove some water from it and allow the process to
continue.

Step 9 : After 1 hour or more take the fishing net and carefully & gently
transfer the specimen from the bucket to the main tank and DO NOT add
any water from the bucket to your main tank.

Pros
1.The temperature of the water inside the bucket and that of the tank
water slowly becomes equal thus avoiding temperature shock for the
fish or invertebrate or coral.
1.Water parameters like pH, TDS, GH, KH, salinity of the water inside the
bucket and that of the tank water are matched efficiently and in a
better way than other methods, which prevents fish or invertebrate or
coral to suffer several shocks and stressing out which compromises
their immune system and may even lead to death.

3. Since we are not adding the water from the bucket into our tank, there
will be least chance of introducing harmful bacteria and parasites that
may be present in the source water.

Tips On Invertibrate Acclimatization
1. While adding new corals its safer to add them when your lights are not on
full blast, preferably in the evening or early in the morning.
2. New corals should be placed at the sand bed first where it can get used to
your lights for couple of days before moving it up on the rocks where light
intensity is higher.
3. Do not place corals at such a place in sand bed that they can be bullied by
sand shifting fishes and be buried in sand or be toppled over.
4. Anemones have mind of their own. So they will move on their own. Make
sure your tank has wavemakers and water drin pipes covered so that they
dont get stuck and get killed.

l
Questions?

Thank You All
Presented By
Rohan Chaudhuri

Kolkata aquarium club - Fish Acclimatization

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