Bag Acclimating?

[sueandherzoo]

Did I read somewhere that some people acclimate their new livestock by floating the bag while ALSO doing partial water changes? I'm not sure where or when I read that but I remember wondering at the time how you exchange water in a floating plastic bag and now it still bugs me but I can't find the post to read it again. Was I hallucinating or is there a way?
I haven't bought much livestock yet but I have drip-acclimated everything I have gotten and will continue to do so but after reading the thread about whether or not to acclimate CUC's I started thinking of that "bag" theory again.
Anyone know what I'm referring to and how it's done?
Sue

 

[subielover]

I did that for my first fish, before I knew how easy and inexpensive it was to drip. Anywho this is the way I did it. I floated the bag unopened for 45 minutes, then i unclipped the bag and added 1/2 cup of my tank water, since I couldn't reseal the bag I just closed my lid on the empty area and continued to let it float. Every half hour I removed a half cup of the water in the bag and discarded it, replacing it with a half cup from the tank again. I did this for about 2 and a half hours. Worked fine, but now knowing what I know there is no reason not to drip everything. I know you already do that Sue, so I would say just keep on keeping on

 

[silverdak]

nope I thoguht the same thing for a while.. bag is easier, but as i was told "your inverts will thank you" when talkingn about how you should ALWASY drip acclimate. why change what you are doing now? drip them you'll be better off

 

[sueandherzoo]

Thanks.... I'll keep dripping.

Besides, the thought of sticking a hand, cup and new water (several times) into the small plastic bag that contains an already very stressed creature is discomforting. Being in the bag that long has got to be bad enough. But was curious how to do it -- tucking the end of the bag under the cover answered that question. Thanks.
Sue

 

[socal57che]

There is a way to do both at the same time. Acclimate with a drip while floating the bag.

 

[socal57che]

Sue, Subie, Silver...inbound PMs.

 

[keebler]

Even if you do drip, you should float the bag to temperature acclimate. Just throwing that in there incase it wasn't clear.

 

[sueandherzoo]

Originally Posted by Keebler
http:///forum/post/2777410
Even if you do drip, you should float the bag to temperature acclimate. Just throwing that in there incase it wasn't clear.
. . . but if you're drip acclimating in a styrofoam container how do you then "float" the fish before adding to the tank? Put him BACK in the bag????

 

[keebler]

Originally Posted by SueAndHerZoo
http:///forum/post/2777464
. . . but if you're drip acclimating in a styrofoam container how do you then "float" the fish before adding to the tank? Put him BACK in the bag????
Or get a clean bowl or something and float that. I mean, you have to make sure the temperature is the same, if drip acclimation does that, then great, go ahead and add it, but that usually isn't the case. Here is how I do it usually. I usually put the fish into a bowl or tupperware or something and then float that until the temp is the same. Just be careful getting the fish into the bowl, don't stress it out. Float it until the temp is the same on the inside and outside of the bowl and then let him in the tank.

 

[sueandherzoo]

Originally Posted by Keebler
http:///forum/post/2777480
Or get a clean bowl or something and float that. I mean, you have to make sure the temperature is the same, if drip acclimation does that, then great, go ahead and add it, but that usually isn't the case. Here is how I do it usually. I usually put the fish into a bowl or tupperware or something and then float that until the temp is the same. Just be careful getting the fish into the bowl, don't stress it out. Float it until the temp is the same on the inside and outside of the bowl and then let him in the tank.
OK, that's do-able. I didn't like the idea of putting him back in a bag but a large floating plastic container doesn't sound so bad. Thanks!
Sue

 

[maxalmon]

While temp acclimating should be done, whats actually more important is the water acclimation. If you test the pH of items that are shipped to you and then compare it to the tank water you'll see a huge difference, this pH shock is usually what causes most problem. In the wild, ocean water has natural variances in water temp...Jump in the ocean and the water is warm on top, dive down 10-20 feet and it's cooler, fish swim up and down thru these changes in water temp all day long.

 

[socal57che]

1. open bag and remove enough water so that it just covers the specimen
2. place in aquarium (bag opening above water line)
3. clamp it to the rim
4. start the drip
5. remove water ocasionally with your handy dandy turkey baster and discard

 

[sueandherzoo]

Tadaaaa! Sounds perfect. Simple and effective. And I will FINALLY have a use for the turkey baster because, heaven knows, I won't be using it to roast a turkey. Who's got time to cook when we have these all-encompassing hobbies?

 

[geoj]

You know how a balloon is rolled back on its self you can do that to the bag and make a round float.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by GeoJ
http:///forum/post/2777966
You know how a balloon is rolled back on its self you can do that to the bag and make a round float.
I've tried that, but without clamping it in place it goes all over and ends up taking on water.

A miniature Titanic it is. Especially if it's heavy.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2777818
1. open bag and remove enough water so that it just covers the specimen
2. place in aquarium (bag opening above water line)
3. clamp it to the rim
4. start the drip
5. remove water ocasionally with your handy dandy turkey baster and discard
I am curious about your method here. How exactly do you drip with a bag floating in the water? Gravity pulls the water in the drip line. The water would have to go up and into the bag. Am I missing something here

BTW, I never worry about temp acclimating. I use a bucket and a piece of airline tubing with a knot at the end.

 

[sueandherzoo]

I think one thing I'm learning quickly in my "new to saltwater" experience is that this hobby can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Finding what works for you (and the livestock) is the key. I'll continue to read and listen to advice but ultimately the end result will be a combination of everyone's. Who knows - maybe I'll even be able to contribute a bit or at least get everyone thinking about a newer or better way to do things that have become routine and outdated. A fresh set of eyes, you know? I'm sure in this hobby none of us ever stops learning.
Sue

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2777985
I am curious about your method here. How exactly do you drip with a bag floating in the water? Gravity pulls the water in the drip line. The water would have to go up and into the bag. Am I missing something here

BTW, I never worry about temp acclimating. I use a bucket and a piece of airline tubing with a knot at the end.
Inbound PM

 

[geoj]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2777985
I am curious about your method here. How exactly do you drip with a bag floating in the water? Gravity pulls the water in the drip line. The water would have to go up and into the bag. Am I missing something here

BTW, I never worry about temp acclimating. I use a bucket and a piece of airline tubing with a knot at the end.
Shelf above tank with a dripping bucket. Its how I do it.

 

[geoj]

Originally Posted by SueAndHerZoo
http:///forum/post/2778159
I think one thing I'm learning quickly in my "new to saltwater" experience is that this hobby can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Finding what works for you (and the livestock) is the key. I'll continue to read and listen to advice but ultimately the end result will be a combination of everyone's. Who knows - maybe I'll even be able to contribute a bit or at least get everyone thinking about a newer or better way to do things that have become routine and outdated. A fresh set of eyes, you know? I'm sure in this hobby none of us ever stops learning.
Sue
Very smart