Correct Acclimation Procedure

August 8, 2008 · Filed Under Acclimation Guide 

Correct fish acclimation to your saltwater aquarium is the most important thing.

This is to make sure after buying salwater fish the transition between the bag and aquarium is smooth.

It can be compared to us working in airconditioned room then walking outside n a hot summers day, it can be hard and stressful on our bodies, must like fish and invertebrates.

They become stressed when they are taken from the ocean or from your local fish store to your saltwater aquarium at home. Common characteristics of stress caused by acclimation on creatures are for example motionless, playing dead and loss of colour.

All fish, coral and invertebrates are very sensitive to any water temperature, salinity and pH levels in our saltwater aquarium.

The following 3 steps will help to ensure a smooth transition:

  • Temperature

    • As there is traveling time from the shipping the fish and even from the Local Fish Shop to your home, the water temperature will most likely be lower than your saltwater aquarium, so a proper procedure will take care to bring the fishes water temperature to match that of your home aquarium.

  • Salinity

    • This is the specific gravity in your water. When there is low salinity level, this means that your fish is receiving higher level of oxygen when they breathe.

    If your salinity level then is higher than normal, your fish are prone to common ailments such as ich. Maintain a salinity level of 1.019 – 1.022 for fish only aquariums and 1.025 – 1.028 if you have corals and/or clams.

    Reef system requires higher salinity for optimum growth and color of the corals too.

  • Saltwater Aquarium pH

    • Keep your pH level to 8.2 – 8.4. Water change and using pH buffer will help maintain this level.

    When your fish releases ammonia, this will cause the pH in the saltwater in the bag to drop. Slow acclimation brings back to a normal pH level.

Here are the procedures on Safely acclimating Saltwater Fish and acclimating Coral.

Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide

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    2 Responses to “Correct Acclimation Procedure”

    1. Saltwater Fish Acclimation Methods | Saltwater Aquarium Guide on August 14th, 2008 12:06 am

      [...] For more information click on Acclimation Guide [...]

    2. Starfish, Urchin and Sea Cucumber (Echinoderms) | Saltwater Aquarium Guide on September 17th, 2008 1:23 pm

      [...] chemistry particularly salinity. To prevent undue stress for the echinoderms it’s recommended to acclimatize starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers over a long period before adding to any [...]

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