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Acclimation
Of all the many things involved in buying a new fish for the tank, one
of the most important is allowing your new fish a chance to get use to
the new enviroment.
ac-cli-mate, intr.v. -To accustom or become
accustomed to.
The reason for acclimating ant livestock is to allow it to get use to
temperature, pH, salinity. When you bring your next fish or coral home,
test the water in the bag the fish arrives in, then check the water in
your tank. Mostlikely you will find a difference in temperature, pH, and
salinity between the two.
Why should you acclimate for these differences ? The affects of changes
in temperature, pH, and salinity on a fishes metabolism, bodily functions,
mental and psychological state can be stressful enough to allow parasites
to take advantage of a fish, or /and ultimately, cause its death.
The greater the variance between the two waters, the longer the acclimation
period should be. It is suggested that a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 60
minutes is the proper amount of time. During this time water from the tank
should be introduced into the bag. This can be done in many ways, but gradually
is the key.
Remember, Rule # 1, DONT BE IN A HURRY !
One last note, dont introduce the bag water into the tank ! Who knows
whats in the bag water. Certainly nothing other than the fish should come
out of the bag. |
