Aquarium Notes

We need to acclimate our aquatic life (livestock and plants) to our aquarium water, because while our aquarium water may look similar to the source water that they're coming from, there can be a variety of parameter differences, including nutrient levels, pH, hardness, temperature, oxygen, CO2, etc. Fish, shrimp, and snails need stability in water parameters, for fluctuation of variables can stress or shock livestock. Acclimation methods seek to reduce that stress and shock, and promote an easy, healthy transition to a new environment. There are three basic acclimation methods.

Floating Bag Method

• Turn tank light off to ease stress
• Float the source plastic bag in the tank to equalize the water temperatures, about 1/2 hour
• Open the source bag, roll down the sides to create a flotation ring, then slowly exchange water between the source bag and the tank, moving a few ounces every few minutes for about 1/2 hour, gradual acclimation
• Use a net to move the fish, shrimp, or snails from the bag to the tank, avoiding adding the source water to the tank
• Leave the light off for a couple more hours, giving livestock a chance to move beyond stress gradually
• This method provides a gentle acclimation

Drip Acclimation Method

• Turn tank light off to ease stress
• Float the source plastic bag in the tank to equalize the water temperatures, about 1/2 hour
• Empty the source plastic bag, water and aquatic animals, into a container (a small bucket is fine, making sure the water is deep enough for the livestock, tilt the bucket to gather more depth if needed)
• Use an air tube with an air tube clamp at either end, one to secure the tube to the tank above, and the other to secure the tube to the bucket below
• Get the flow going via mouth suction, then use the valve at the bottom to adjust the flow to a drip, a couple drops per second, allow it to go for about 1 to 3 hours
• Use a net to transfer livestock from bucket to tank, avoiding adding the source water to the tank
• Leave the light off for a couple more hours, giving livestock a chance to move beyond stress gradually
• This method provides a gentle acclimation (relatively hands off)

Cut and Drop Method

• Turn tank light off to ease stress
• Float the source plastic bag in the tank to equalize the water temperatures, about 1/2 hour
• Open the bag and pour into a net (over a container) to catch the livestock, then move the livestock from the net to the tank
• The rationale for skipping the slow acclimation of the two above methods is that the livestock is better off in the tank than in a closed, limited container
• Leave the light off for a couple more hours, giving livestock a chance to move beyond stress gradually

Acclimation for new plants

• Instead of planting right away, allow new plants to float for a few days
• While floating they are closer to the light, have more available CO2 which helps them in transition
• Plants have time to adjust to new surroundings, recovering from stress of being moved, and growing stronger
• Many plants will start growing more roots, preparing for planting, ready to grow

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