Proper acclimation makes all the difference and will eliminate the disappointment of having to watch any new fish or other marine livestock struggle or just sink to the bottom of your aquarium. The time you take to acclimate your new livestock will make a difference in the health and beauty of the specimens. Acclimation also helps to reduce the stress induced diseases such as saltwater ich and many others. Proper acclimation to your tank slowly brings the water back to healthy pH levels, the same way the pH dropped slowly during transit. There are times where you can successfully acclimate fish which are looking dead, breathing heavily or lying on the bottom of the bag. Follow the suggested steps and take your time.

There are two (2) common methods to acclimate a live aquatic animal. The “Drip” method and the “Cup” method. Both have pros and cons. Both methods start with the same process.

General Steps for Both Method:

• To start the acclimation process, start by letting the bag the live animal is in float in the tank for 15 minutes so the water temperature has time to adjust.
• If there is a removable clip, rubber band, etc., remove it. If so, skip the next instructions.
• Since the bag cannot be easily opened, cut a slit at the top of the bag as close to the top as possible.
• Attach or float the bag in the aquarium, do not remove the bag during the process as the temperature will fluctuate and may not match the aquarium water temperature.
• Add to bag (according to manufacturer’s instructions) an ammonia neutralizer. This step is for animals contained in the bag for excess of 1 hour
• After the “wait” period for the neutralizer has past, decide which of the aforementioned methods to use. Proceed to the method of choice.

Cup Method

• Add 1/2 cup of water from the aquarium to the bag every 4 minutes until it is full.
• Dump half the bag of water into a bucket, leaving animal within bag.
• Yes, again, add 1/2 cup of water from the aquarium to the bag every 4 minutes until it’s full.
• Add fish to aquarium in a way NOT to add ANY water (in the bag) to the aquarium.
• Discard the bag, including all remaining water.

Drip Method

• Using a clean 2 to 5 gallon “food grade” container, gently add the water from the bag and the live animal into the container.
• Tip the container to allow the animal to remain 100% submerged.
• Continue adding like species … (fish in one container, inverts in another container and corals in a third container).
• Start a syphon by placing one end of the hose into the tank and the other near an empty (2nd) bucket.
• Using an airline tube, tie a loose knot in the hose at one end and allow the water to “drip” out slowly into the bucket with the livestock.
• Let this drip until the buck is half full then stop (break) the syphon.
• Now it is time to net the animal and place it into the aquarium.
• Be very careful not to let the bucket water get cool or cold. It’s best to wrap the bucket with a towel or blanket to keep the heat contained.
• Discard all water remaining in the bucket.

This is a simple approach and you will find other similar acclimation processes by searching the Internet. Choose which ever one works or seems best for you.