Yet Another Acclimation Question

[inxsu2]

Hello,
Anyone who has been kind enough to follow my most recent plight knows that I hired a fish maintenance guy who has been in the business 30 years to help me kick-start my new hobby until I am comfortable enough to maintain my system on my own. I was unaware of the drip method until I came onto this website. I do believe I lost my Porcupine Puffer because I DIPPED, not DRIPPED.
Anyway, before I cut this guy loose, he's taking down a system he has been maintaining for a doctor because the doctor is retiring and giving up the hobby. I have seen the system, and it is awesome. He has offered to sell me his livestock bascially for half-price. This is scheduled to happen on Tuesday. Included are one of each of the following:
Flame Angel
Foxface
Figi Puffer
Sailfin Tang
Damsel (black & white stripe)
Engineer Goby (I'm undecided if I want this last one!)
I sent my guy an e-mail that I wish to have these fish introduced via the DRIP method. I'd like to know what you think of his reply. Here it is:
"Hello, the DRIP method is used when fish are brought from catchers to the supplier because the water conditions are so much different. The water on the tank I am taking down is the tap water just like your water, so I use the DIP method. I looked up the last time I serviced your aquarium and the fish tank is due for service. I will also bring the proper food. I am scheduling this to be done on Tuesday."
I'm kind of alarmed that a supposed seasoned veteran is not advocating the DRIP method as many of you enthusiasts are. I even told him I would do it myself because I'm thinking he's thinking it's a pain in the ass. Waddya think? Is this a good enough deal, or should I pass and immediately cut him free?
Oh ... one more thing. He brought me 19 Damsels (9 were small baby Domino Damsels) about two months ago when my system was cycling. Only 4 survived. I know they were the "gunea pigs", but I'm now wondering if dipping was instrumental in their demise too.
Thanks so much!
Patty
:happyfish
P.S. In either case, I AM getting rid of the guy. He didn't even bother to ask about my late Porcupine Puffer.

 

[speg]

Your water is not exactly the same as the other water - this is why you use the slow process of drip acclimation. Their salinity may be higher by a few points than yours and fish can be taken away from high salt levels fairly quickly but should be slowly introduced to higher salt levels.. you can do whatever method you feel like doing.. but I guarntee you will have MUCH more success if you constantly do the drip method no matter what the situation. It took me a while before I understood the importance of the drip method, but now I do nothing else.
This guy is probably OLD SCHOOL (30 years?) back then they used wooden tanks instead of glass/acrylic and instead of live rock they used small chunks of coal they got from the mines! (It is no wonder they had low survival rates eh?)

 

[inxsu2]

Thanks, Speg. Your advice is sound and consistent with what I have been learning.
Patty
:happyfish

 

[crazyaqua]

What size is your tank?

 

[tthemadd1]

I think that many damsels will raise the ammonia level so high that they would die. I used two dominos and a blue tail to cycle my tank years ago and I must say that even then the ammonia spike was high. (i have a 55gal) I would definately drop this guy. Personally, dont crucify I use the dip method as well. I temp acclimate and then slowly add water to my bag for about a half hour. It is basically the same process but most people move the fish into the tank too quick. by the way I hate dominos, I have never had another type of fish that was so territorial. They have been locked up in my fuge because they dont get along with any other fish.

themadd1

 

[inxsu2]

125 Gallon. An additional note ... I plan on successfully acquiring Gandolf II, another Porcupine Puffer. He said this would work in conjunction with the livestock I am acquiring. At this point, I'm trusting the advice I get here on this website much more. Thanks SO much!

 

[tthemadd1]

I am not sure if you should have more than one puffer in the same tank.? Good question... Anyone have any ideas.?

 

[inxsu2]

Yep, another issue. He told me, in no uncertain terms, that a Porcupine Puffer (PP) would work with the livestock he has proposed. Not true? My whole objective to starting a system was to maintain a PP. Period.
Please help, as time is of the essence. In my lame defense, I did check out three references who are pleased with the guy. I'm just thinking that, not only do we have two different aquarium philosophies, we are not even on the same page with regard to ultimate objectives.
Just need to know if I should acquire a whole or part of the menu of fish I proposed. Remember (not like him), I want a Porcupine Puffer to eventually rule the roost.
Thank you SO much.
Patty
:happyfish

 

[speg]

125 gallon.. you could probably fit all that in there without much of a problem. If there is enough hiding spaces and no competition for food I dont see that it would be a problem at all.. though fish have their own personalities so its hard to say for sure
Btw I hate '(PP)'s as you call'em... only cause like EVERY one i've ever came in contact with had a ich outbreak... they are really cute though