The Ultimate Guide to Acclimating Livestock from OC Shrimp Aquatic!



How to Acclimate Livestock Correctly

When you receive a shipment of aquatic livestock from OC Shrimp Aquatic, ensuring a smooth and stress-free acclimation process is crucial for the health and well-being of your new fish, shrimps, snails, and other invertebrates. Proper acclimation not only helps your new aquatic pets adjust to their new environment but also minimizes the risk of shock and stress. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods for acclimating your aquatic livestock.

Why Acclimation is So Important

Acclimation is the process of gradually introducing your new aquatic pets to the water conditions in your tank. This is important because the water in the shipping bag can have different parameters (such as pH, temperature, water hardness, Gh/Kh, etc.) compared to your aquarium or what comes out of your tap locally. Sudden changes in water parameter conditions can be harmful or even fatal to  livestock. Neglecting this step unfortunately results in unnecessary fatalities and preventable deaths.

Step-by-Step Acclimation Process:

1. Prepare Your Tank

Before your shipment arrives, make sure that your tank is fully prepared and cycled. A well "seasoned" tank will be healthier for your livestock than a completely bare or new set-up. Preparation includes:

  • Stable Water Parameters: Check the pH, temperature, and TDS levels to make sure they are within the recommended range for your specific livestock.
  • Quarantine Tank: If possible, prepare a separate quarantine tank to monitor new arrivals for any signs of illness.
  • A Well Seasoned Tank: Your aquatic livestock will fare much better transitioning to a well "seasoned" tank that is fully cycled.  When a tank has been cycled it hosts a colony of nitrifying bacteria in the filter and within the substrate. The bacteria oxidize the ammonia into nitrate and then nitrite, which is harmless to tank inhabitants.
  • "Cycling" Your Tank: a phrase in the hobby that means establishing the bacterial colony inside a new or existing tank, which can be done by transferring in filter media from an older aquarium, purchasing products to quickly cycle your tank, etc. More information about how to successfully cycle your tank will be shared in a future article!

2. Unpack Your Shipment

  • Inspect the Packaging: Carefully unpack your shipment and inspect the bags for any signs of damage or leakage.
  • Time is of the Essence: Within 2 hours of arrival, to receive a full or partial refund or store credit for any D.O.A. livestock, please take photos and email ocshrimps@gmail.com with your shipping report immediately. Include your ORDER # for faster processing.
  • Turn Off Tank Lights: Dim the lights in your aquarium to reduce stress on the new arrivals.

3. Float the Bags

  • Temperature Acclimation: Float the sealed bags in your tank for 15-30 minutes. This allows the water in the bags to gradually reach the same temperature as your aquarium.

4. Open the Bags

  • Gradual Water Mixing: Open the bags and roll down the edges to create an air pocket that will keep them afloat. Use a clean cup or a turkey baster to slowly add small amounts of your tank water into the bags every 5 minutes. Continue this process for 30-45 minutes. This gradual mixing helps the livestock adjust to the new water chemistry. Alternatively, you can buy or create a drip acclimating system for your livestock, allowing them anywhere from 2-4 hours, or even longer (we suggest longer drip acclimation for rare or difficult-to-keep shrimps).
  • Immediate Transition into Aquarium: After 15-30 minutes of temperature acclimation are finished, placing livestock into the aquarium without drip acclimation is recommended only if the amount of ammonia build-up has become toxic for the livestock. If the length of time in the bag has increased beyond 2-3 business days, drip acclimating is not recommended and immediately transitioning your livestock is advised. This advice is usually recommended for fish, as shrimps can still be drip-acclimated successfully since they do not create a large bioload in the bag.

5. Transfer the Livestock

  • Net Transfer: Use a soft mesh net to gently transfer the livestock from the bags into your tank. Avoid transferring the water from the bags into your aquarium to prevent the introduction of any potential contaminants, bacteria, or illness that could have entered the supply chain during the shipping process from the farms or wholesalers.
  • Observe and Monitor: Keep a close eye on the new arrivals for any signs of stress or illness. Maintain dimmer lighting or no lighting for the first few hours to help them acclimate with less stress.

Tips for Difficult-to-Keep Livestock

Fish

  • Avoid Overcrowding: Introduce only a few fish at a time to avoid overwhelming your tank's biological filter.
  • Set up a Quarantine Tank: Setting up a quarantine tank is the best way to guarantee that new livestock will not introduce any potential illness to your existing livestock.
  • Monitor Behavior: Watch for signs of stress such as rapid breathing or erratic swimming.

Shrimps

  • Check for Molting: Shrimps are sensitive during molting periods. Provide hiding places to reduce stress.
  • Feed Sparingly: Avoid overfeeding during the first few days as the shrimp acclimate to their new environment.

Snails

  • Ensure Calcium Levels: Snails need calcium for their shells. Ensure your tank has adequate calcium levels.
  • Provide Shelters: Offer plenty of hiding spots and surfaces for the snails to explore.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Stress Signs

  • Color Changes: Sudden color changes in fish or shrimp can indicate stress.
  • Inactivity: If the livestock is unusually inactive, it may be experiencing stress from the shipping and acclimation process.

Water Quality

  • Ammonia and Nitrite Levels: Monitor ammonia and nitrite levels closely. Elevated levels can be harmful.
  • Regular Water Changes: Perform regular water changes to maintain optimal water quality.
  • Purchase a TDS / pH Checker Device: Automatic TDS and pH Checkers are cheap and effective devices which provide a quick 'snapshot' of your water parameters. While it doesn't tell the full story of your water chemistry, understanding your tank inhabitant's optimal TDS and pH parameters is helpful to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Conclusion

Acclimating your new aquatic livestock from OC Shrimp Aquatic is an important and vital step to ensuring their health and longevity once you've received them in the mail or from us in-store. By following these best practices, you can create a smoother and healthier transition for your fish, shrimps, and snails, helping them thrive in their new home. Remember, patience and attention to detail during the acclimation process can make all the difference in the well-being and long-term health of your new aquatic pets.

For more tips and expert advice on aquatic livestock care, visit OC Shrimp Aquatic’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ocshrimpaquatic or DM us for more info on our Instagram @ocshrimpaquatic! Happy shrimp-keeping and fish-keeping fellow hobbyists!

Back to blog