[Color Me Blue]

After reading this article ( http://aquascienceresearch.com/APInfo/Acclimate.htm ), posted courtesy of aman74, it has left me with the question/s of whether one should not drip-acclimate fish/inverts/etc and just follow the advice of the authors of the above article mentioned. I do have questions on how they came up with some of their data.

I know everyone has an opinion on this matter. We do what has worked for us. I. myself, drip-acclimate my critters. I've always believed it's better to slowly introduce your tank water conditions to newly aquired aquatic pets. This has always worked well for me. How about you?

Note: This discussion orignates from the following thread: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/shrimp/44448-just-received-crs-odd-behavior-help.html

 

[epicfish]

DO IT! I've always learned to drip acclimate my shrimp and my corals...should I not be doing this?

 

[Color Me Blue]

I can understand with fish/inverts that took a couple of days to ship (even just one day), that you want to get them out of the "contaminated" bag ASAP. But wouldn't the immediate placing of them in the QT tank cause even more stress and even possible fatalities?

 

[Color Me Blue]

Well apparently from the conclusions of that article, we shouldn't be doing drip-acclimation.

 

[Color Me Blue]

In the very first statement made by the author of that article: "Temperature acclimation, in fishes, typically takes 10 days or more." Really? Does it? I mean, I don't really know?!? I haven't study fish that intensely....is there documentation to support this?

 

[epicfish]

Uh, so, if we read #3:

Follow these steps; the “squirt & dump method”:

3) For tropical fishes, be sure the water in the receiving tank is the same temperature as, or warmer than, the water in the bag.

What if my tank isn't warmer than the bag? Do I crank up the heater and wait the two hours it takes to raise the temperature, or should I just float the bag to equilibrate the temperatures to reduce shock?? =P

 

[Color Me Blue]

Those of us with shrimp, know how sensitive are shrimp are to our water conditions (some varieties more than others). I've read a few posts where some just put them straight into their tank (as suggested by this article), though I think most of us drip-acclimate them. I guess the question would be.... are we successful because we introduced them slowly to our water conditions or the water conditions are favorable anyways and they didn't need to be slowly acclimated?? (baring the health of the shrimp to begin with of course)

 

[Color Me Blue]

Doesn't #3 become mute if it actually takes 10+ days for fish to acclimate to temp?

See, it doesn't make sense in some respect.

 

[epicfish]

http://www.aquacon.com/chat.html

That site says to drip acclimate. =P

edit: That's for saltwater, FYI.

 

[plantbrain]

When they can keep the most sensitive species and have no or very little losses, they can contact me.

I suggest the drip method and anyone worth their salt knows drip is super.
I do not buy it and nothing they said even made doubt that position.
Drip is the way to go.

Osmoregulation is far more toxic and an important issue for fish in changing environments.

Drip addresses that very well.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[jason311]

I have been at my lfs when they have received their shipment.They just dump them into the tank.Funny thing is some fish do just fine but others end up dying.I have dumped fish into my tank before with no problems as well as floated the bag,never dripped though.

 

[Color Me Blue]

ARG (AquaScience Research Group, Inc.) is responsible for this article. There should be data that led them to this conclusion, correct? Maybe I'll shoot them an email and discuss some of my concerns.

 

[danepatrick]

yea, that whole things seems like a waste. i don't buy it either. very exaggerated.

 

[Color Me Blue]

I too would like to see "their" evidence that this method works. I understand this article is not "scientifically" written, but they are making a point/s that need to support their claims. I think that would be really helpful.

 

[jason311]

Well they do make those products for shipping so wouldn't it be in their interest to say not to acclimate to sell the product?

 

[Color Me Blue]

Good question Jason!

 

[Color Me Blue]

Those products are used to remove/detoxify chlorine, ammonia, chloramine, but to say not to drip-acclimate is a different issue altogether.

 

[macclellan]

Just because the word "science" is in the title of something does not mean it is 1). scientific or 2). true. The Aquascience Research Group is promoting its products through that article, nothing more.

 

[aman74]

Good job on the thread start.

Here's that other link to some debate as well:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=84883

I'm not sure what to think about it all now. There are other references to the dump method out there that aren't from people selling anything. I'm a cynic too and always try to take into account whether I am just being marketed to. However, I don't think that just because someone sells something that the information is bad.

 

[Ramirezi]

Go ahead and shoot ARG a email. It is always advantages to hear from the Co insted of speculations.

I purchased 3 German rams and only one made it over a week. Maybe I should be doing the drip method for my acclimation because my method may not be working.