Acclimating Shipped Livestock

Acclimating livestock that has been shipped can be a slightly different process than from your local fish store. Shipped fish have spent as much as 24 hours, sometime more in their bags. They are also often packed at a higher density, or with less water to save weight. The conditions that exist in the bag during transport must be taken into consideration when acclimating. Below we have outlined our recommended methods for acclimating your shipped livestock.
Ammonia exists in two forms: toxic (NH3) and non-toxic (NH4+). Higher pH and warmer temperatures can lead to increased NH3 levels and potentially result in ammonia poisoning for aquatic organisms. During transport, low pH in the shipping bag keeps ammonia in the non-toxic form. However, opening the bag and drip acclimation increase pH, raising toxicity levels and potentially harming aquatic life. It is critical to remove the fish from the shipping water quickly once the bag is opened or use an ammonia binder product when drip acclimating.
IMPORTANT: Water pH and temperature play a role in ammonia toxicity!

BAG FLOATING METHOD
This is the most common acclimation method used for freshwater and brackish livestock rather than saltwater livestock. We don’t recommend this process exceed 30 minutes total.
- PLACE CLOSED BAG HORIZONTALLY IN TANK & LET FLOAT 15 – 20 MINUTES
This step allows the fish to adjust to the water temperature of your tank.
- KEEP THE AQUARIUM LIGHTS OFF
Lights off will help to calm the fish and reduce stress during acclimation.
- MOVE FISH OUT OF BAG INTO TANK – DO NOT ADD BAG WATER TO TANK
Pour off most of the bag water and add the fish to the tank, or use a fish net to net or strain the fish out of the bag. Keeping as much of the shipping bag water out of your tank as possible
SLOW DRIP METHOD
This method is recommended for saltwater livestock, but can also be used for more sensitive freshwater species. We don’t recommend this process exceed 60 minutes total.
- PLACE CLOSED BAG HORIZONTALLY IN TANK & LET FLOAT 15 MINUTES
This step allows the fish to adjust to the water temperature of your tank.
- OPEN BAG & POUR LIVESTOCK INTO A BUCKET
If there is not enough water to cover 3/4 of your livestock you may need to angle/tip the bucket until more water is added. Add the appropriate amount of an ammonia binder product such as Seachem Prime for the water volume in the bucket.
- USE AIRLINE TUBING OR DRIP ACCLIMATION KIT TO CREATE A SIPHON
Adjust the speed of the dripping water or tie a knot in the airline tubing to make sure the water is not excessively flowing; this is meant to be a slow process.
- COVER BUCKET & SET TIMER ON PHONE
Most will aim for this process to take 45 minutes or fill bucket to 4X the original volume. Check on livestock occasionally during this time.
- MOVE FISH INTO TANK & MONITOR BEHAVIOR
Net or use your hand to transfer the fish or coral. Dispose of dirty bucket water. Monitor your tank for aggression.
