Acclimating Corals ?

[wolffam]

How do you acclimate your corals. I following the instructions the same way I acclimate fish from SWF. But yesterday at a LFS I went to see what they had received with their weekly shipments and they just cut open the bag, reached in, pulled the coral out and dropped it in their tank. Told me thatunlike fish, you didn't need to acclimate. Your opinions please, no sure I want to purchase from them?

 

[nybyrne]

I have Frogspawns, bubbles, hammers, torches, zenas, leathers and I have always just put them in with no problems. My LFS which I trust said the same, waiting was not necessary. It has worked for me

 

[cmack]

I wouldn't buy from that store...Most vendors I have bought coral from either give you a sheet packed in the box with acclimating procedures, or you can get the acclimation info from the vendor's website.
Usually it is something like add 1/2 cup of your tank water to the bag every 5 minutes, when the bag is full, dump half the water down the drain, and repeat the process. Once the bag is full again, remove the specimen and add it to your tank. I've done it this way a few times with success.
Again, if you buy online, check with the vendor. Sometimes if you don't acclimate it their way, they won't honor their guarantee anymore.

 

[banshee]

I've had my reef tank for almost 3 years and have rarely had a problem with corals. All I do is float the bag for 15 minutes and then just put them in.

 

[mdhyde]

I had a problem with a Fiji Leather. I usually donot acclimate things either as I stick to very hardy things.
Well turns out I run my salinity at 1.023 and my LFS tank he came from was 1.026.
Needless to say he is still in shock and I am stil waiting for him to recover. I raised my salinity to 1.05 and he perked up quite a bit.
FYI

 

[mdhyde]

I had a problem with a Fiji Leather. I usually do not acclimate things either as I stick to very hardy things.
Well turns out I run my salinity at 1.023 and my LFS tank he came from was 1.026.
Needless to say he is still in shock and I am stil waiting for him to recover. I raised my salinity to 1.05 and he perked up quite a bit.
FYI

 

[nybyrne]

According to E. Borneman (Aquarium Corals Selection, Husbandry and Natural history) “The important thing is to remember that corals have been stressed and now must be properly acclimated. Some aquarist like to float new corals in there bag to allow for temp equalization. This step is not altogether essential as long as the next step, which should not be skipped, is followed.
A small portion, perhaps 20-25% of the shipping water, should be dipped out and replaced with a equal amount of take water. This procedure should be repeated each 10 -15 minuets over the course of 30 minutes to a hour or more. Another option is to add new tank water slowly and continuously. I like to add water into the bags with an arrangement of flexible air-line tubing.”
I guess I should follow these words also. He is the expert

 

[bacardibombillo]

WHAT I DO IS I MAKE SURE THE PACKAGE IS IN A DARK OR COVERED BOX ON THE TRIP, THAT WAY THE CORAL IS CLOSED, WHEN IT GETS HOME I SHUTT OF THE LIGHTS GET THE ROOM KINDA OF DARK AND FLOAT THE BAG ON THE TANK FOR A BIT, FOR TEMPERATURE FOR ABOUT 15min. THEN PUT IT IN THE TANK, TURN THE LIGHT ON ABOUT HALF HOUR LATER... NO ACCLIMATION IS NEEDED ONLY TEMP. WISE, ALL THESE YEARS OF EXPIRIENCE AND EVERY THING HAS GONE FINE !!!!!!!

 

[radioactive]

... NO ACCLIMATION IS NEEDED ONLY TEMP. WISE, ALL THESE YEARS OF EXPIRIENCE AND EVERY THING HAS GONE FINE !!!!!!!
are you sure about that ?
hmmm ... "super" E , maybe ?

 

[dburr]

Float them to get the temp right, and put them in the tank. They will open up quicker. Never had a problem.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by nybyrne
According to E. Borneman (Aquarium Corals Selection, Husbandry and Natural history) “The important thing is to remember that corals have been stressed and now must be properly acclimated. Some aquarist like to float new corals in there bag to allow for temp equalization. This step is not altogether essential as long as the next step, which should not be skipped, is followed.
A small portion, perhaps 20-25% of the shipping water, should be dipped out and replaced with a equal amount of take water. This procedure should be repeated each 10 -15 minuets over the course of 30 minutes to a hour or more. Another option is to add new tank water slowly and continuously. I like to add water into the bags with an arrangement of flexible air-line tubing.”
I guess I should follow these words also. He is the expert
Corals are living critters folks ..... I'd follow borneman's steps listed above .....