Acclimation Guide
Proper acclimation is essential to ensure your new fish and/or plants settle comfortably into their new home.
Fish:
Follow these simple steps to acclimate your fish safely:
1. Prepare Your Materials:
To correctly acclimate fish you will need these items:
- A Clean bucket or container
- An Aquarium net
- Airline tubing or siphon (optional for drip acclimation)
- A Water testing kit
2. Float the Bag:
Place the sealed bag containing your new fish into your aquarium. Allow it to float for about 15-20 minutes. This helps the water inside the bag adjust gradually to your aquarium's temperature.
3. Check Water Parameters:
While the bag is floating, use your water testing kit to check the bag's water for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. This helps you understand the water conditions your fish are currently in.
4. Turn Off Aquarium Lights:
For the duration of the acclimation process, it's recommended to turn off the aquarium lights. Strong light near the bag can rapidly warm up the water inside, potentially causing stress to your fish.
5. Open the Bag:
Carefully cut a small corner of the bag using scissors or a knife. This allows you to slowly release some water into a container without disturbing your fish. Do not mix this water with your aquarium water to avoid introducing potential pathogens.
6. Acclimation Options:
Float and Add Water Option:
Drain half of the water in the fish bag into a sink or separate bucket and slowly add small amounts of your aquarium water into the bag every few minutes for about 15-20 minutes. This helps the fish adjust to the temperature and chemistry of the water in your aquarium.
Bucket and Drip Method:
Alternatively, you can transfer the fish and water from the bag into a clean bucket. Use airline tubing or a small siphon to start a slow drip from your aquarium into the bucket. Adjust the flow to about 1-2 drops per second and continue for 30-60 minutes. This can be done by tying a loose knot in an airline tubing and letting lit drip into the bucket from your aquarium, the rate of drips can be changed by how tight or loose you make the knot. This method is a slightly longer process but safer to do as it gives the fish longer to get used to the chemistry of your aquarium and avoids any contact of our water to your own.
This method is mostly used for more delicate species such as shrimp and discus cichlids, so please make sure you look into the species you have purchased to determine which method to use to ensure fish health and safety when acclimating to your aquarium.
Both methods listed above work perfectly fine for any other hardy species and its left up to personal preference. But please note do not jump the gun too quick and add your fish in too early as it may lead to stress or even death!.
7. Netting Your Fish:
After acclimating, gently net your fish from the bag or bucket and place them into your aquarium. Avoid adding water from the acclimation container or bag into your tank to prevent introducing potential pathogens.
8. Observing Behaviour:
Watch your fish closely for the first few hours to ensure they are settling in well. Some fish may hide or appear shy initially, which is normal, they should settle in after a day or so!.
Monitor water parameters daily for the first week to maintain stability and do water changes as necessary. Avoid doing water changes within the first 24 hours to let the fish settle into its new environment and water conditions.
9. Feeding and Care:
Resume feeding your fish once they have settled in. Offer a varied diet suitable for their species and ensure regular aquarium maintenance to keep water quality optimal.
Plants:
Follow these steps to safely acclimate and introduce your new aquatic plants:
1. Rinse, Inspect & Sterilise:
Remove the plants from the bag. Rinse gently under room-temperature tap water to remove residual shipping water. Carefully inspect for damaged or decaying leaves and trim them off as needed, this helps the plant stay healthy and put all its attention towards growing all the remaining healthy leaves.
As with most live aquatic plants, regardless of source, hitchhikers such as snails, duckweed, or algae may occasionally be present despite our pre-dispatch inspection and rinse.
For peace of mind, we recommend using Blue Planet Snail Rid or performing a bleach dip before introducing plants to your tank:
- Mix 20 cups of water to 1 cup of plain bleach (no additives or scents) in a bucket or container.
- Using gloves or other protective gear, submerge plants completely in the solution for 2 minutes.
- Remove plants from the bleach dip, dispose of the chlorine water, and soak the plant in dechlorinated water in a different container (add a water conditioner such as Aquasonic Power or equivalent to remove chlorine residue from the plant) for 3 minutes, stir the water around to make sure the water conditioner is completely mixed through.
- Tip out the water and repeat the dechlorinated soak once more with water conditioner to make sure all signs of chlorine are removed.
- One more thorough rinse with tap water and your plant should be completely pest free, you can now plant as normal.
⚠️ Not suitable for delicate plants like Val or mosses - use a diluted solution or skip to a plain water rinse for these.
⚠️ If under 18, please have a parent or guardian supervise when handling chemicals.
2. Quarantine (optional):
To further prevent introducing pests or algae into your main aquarium, consider quarantining the plants in a separate container, tank, or bucket for a few days.
3. Planting:
Gently plant the rinsed and trimmed plants into your aquarium substrate. For rooted plants, bury the roots just enough to anchor them, ensuring the crown (where the roots meet the stem) remains above the substrate. For floating plants, keep them floating on the surface, their leaves and roots will adjust to your tank's conditions naturally. For rhizome plants like Anubias or Java Fern, attach them to rocks or driftwood using thread or aquarium-safe glue, keeping the rhizome exposed to prevent rot.
4. Monitor and Maintain:
It's normal for new plants to exhibit some melting or leaf loss as they adjust. Maintain stable water parameters and provide appropriate lighting to support their acclimation. Avoid major water changes or adding new livestock for the first 24 hours to give the plants time to settle in.
You can also find more beginner friendly information, care guides and maintenance tips in our blogs section! if you would like to know more please visit how to set up your aquarium and aquarium and maintenance and care!
Acclimating your fish properly helps reduce stress and promotes their health in your aquarium. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us via email by filling out a contact form, or utilise the chat bubble located at the bottom right of your screen. We are here to assist you promptly and effectively.