Acclimating new fish
- Thread starter Betty
- Start date
All of the professionals that I have dealt with have always recommended adding tank water to the bag to prevent shock due to differing water chemistry. The breeders I've ordered fish from in the past have always recommended adding tank water to the bag and sometimes removing water from it as well very gradually over a period of hours. This is the first I've ever heard of not doing it. What kind of "spike" are you talking about? Sorry...I'm just confused how diluting dirty water with healthy water would make the dirty water more toxic. :/
So can merely opening the bag and allowing oxygen to hit the ammonia. Most of the "spiking" does not apply for fish simply brought home from a local fish store. Only applies to fish that have been shipped over a couple days, or large quantities of fish, say a bag of 250 feeder goldfish.larry.beck said:
Ahhhhh ok...well, if it's actually just the oxygen hitting the ammonia, then I can see that. I've just never heard of that happening before by adding tank water to the bag. Then again, most of my experience is with bettas, which are shipped in individual bags and I've never had any other kind of fish shipped directly to me. hmmmm
larry.beck
New Member
As I recall it can also occur when higher pH water mixes with lower pH (the pH in the bag having been driven down by the accumulating toxins) - the toxic spike will occur. Again, more applicable to bags where the fish have been in for hours/day than a simple 15 minutes ride home.
That said, it takes me 2-4 hours to get home from my LFS and I feel I'm approaching the point where the risk of toxic shock could occur.
That said, it takes me 2-4 hours to get home from my LFS and I feel I'm approaching the point where the risk of toxic shock could occur.
when acids push the ph down, from ammonia etc. it does becoem more toxic when exposed to the air. When you suspect this is the case. it is better to use an ammonia neutralizer in the bag, and acclimate, or simply put the fish into your quarantine tank. Situations should be avoided where these methods are needed.larry.beck said:
You could purchase a bottle of bag buddies, that would aid you in getting your fish home with limited ammonia. Here in conway Every fish goes home with bag buddies be it 5 minutes or 5 hours. And longer trips get larger bags, more water, and a cooler.