not a stupid question, better to ask it now than kill a fish by not doing it correctly later. the acclimation process is when you are getting a fish adjusted to your water. the water at the LFS you got him probably has a different temp, salinity, and PH. just throwing your fish in the tank could kill him if your readings are different enough from the LFS. i believe that ive read something on this website under the section that says info for hobbyist that deals with acclimation procedure. it would help you alot to read that.