Acclimation Guide
🐠 Why Acclimation Matters
Proper acclimation is crucial for the health and survival of your new marine life. Sudden changes in water chemistry, temperature, or salinity can cause stress, disease, or even death.
Temperature
Gradual adjustment prevents shock
Chemistry
pH, salinity, and nutrients
Environment
Light and flow adaptation
⚡ Quick Start Guide
Essential Steps (30-45 minutes)
Before You Start
- ✓Test your tank water parameters
- ✓Prepare acclimation container
- ✓Have drip line or airline ready
- ✓Dim tank lights
Acclimation Process
- 1. Float bags for 15-20 minutes
- 2. Drip acclimate for 30-45 minutes
- 3. Optional: Coral dip treatment
- 4. Place in tank carefully
- 5. Monitor for 24-48 hours
📋 Detailed Acclimation Steps
Temperature Equalization
What to do:
- • Float sealed bags in your tank for 15-20 minutes
- • Don't open bags yet - just let them float
- • This equalizes temperature gradually
- • Check that bags are sealed properly
Why it matters:
Sudden temperature changes can cause thermal shock, leading to stress, disease, or death. Even a 2-3°C difference can be harmful to sensitive marine life.
Drip Acclimation
Setup:
- • Open bags and pour into clean container
- • Set up airline tubing with valve
- • Start drip at 1-2 drops per second
- • Monitor water level - don't let it overflow
Timing:
- • Fish: 30-45 minutes
- • Corals: 45-60 minutes
- • Sensitive species: 60+ minutes
- • Stop if any signs of stress
Coral Dip (Optional but Recommended)
Popular Dips:
- • Coral RX: 5-10 minutes
- • Revive: 3-5 minutes
- • Lugol's Iodine: 2-3 minutes
- • Follow manufacturer instructions
Benefits:
- • Removes pests and parasites
- • Prevents disease introduction
- • Cleans coral tissue
- • Reduces stress
Tank Introduction
For Corals:
- • Start in low light area
- • Place on sand bed initially
- • Gradually move to final position
- • Monitor for 24-48 hours
For Fish:
- • Turn off lights initially
- • Release gently into tank
- • Provide hiding places
- • Monitor behavior closely
🐠 Species-Specific Acclimation
SPS Corals (Acropora, Montipora)
Acclimation Time:
60-90 minutes (very sensitive)
Light Placement:
Start very low, gradually increase over 2-3 weeks
Flow:
Moderate to high random flow
Water Quality:
Stable alkalinity (8-9 dKH), low nutrients
LPS Corals (Brain, Torch, Hammer)
Acclimation Time:
45-60 minutes
Light Placement:
Moderate light, avoid direct blasting
Flow:
Gentle to moderate flow
Water Quality:
Stable parameters, moderate nutrients OK
Soft Corals (Zoanthids, Mushrooms)
Acclimation Time:
30-45 minutes (hardy)
Light Placement:
Low to moderate light
Flow:
Gentle flow, avoid direct current
Water Quality:
Tolerant of various conditions
Marine Fish
Acclimation Time:
30-60 minutes depending on species
Introduction:
Turn off lights, release gently
Quarantine:
Recommended for 2-4 weeks
Compatibility:
Research tank mates carefully
🚨 Troubleshooting Common Issues
⚠️ Signs of Stress
- • Rapid breathing or gill movement
- • Loss of color or bleaching
- • Excessive mucus production
- • Lethargy or unusual behavior
- • Refusal to eat
- • Hiding constantly
🔧 Quick Fixes
- • Slow down drip rate if stressed
- • Check water parameters
- • Reduce lighting intensity
- • Ensure proper flow
- • Remove aggressive tank mates
- • Consider quarantine
🛠️ Equipment You'll Need
Essential Items
- • Clean bucket or container
- • Airline tubing
- • Airline valve
- • Net or cup for transfer
- • Water test kit
- • Thermometer
Optional but Helpful
- • Coral dip solution
- • Refractometer
- • pH meter
- • Quarantine tank
- • Drip acclimation kit
- • Stress coat additive
Advanced Setup
- • Automatic drip system
- • Temperature controller
- • UV sterilizer
- • Protein skimmer
- • Calcium reactor
- • Dosing pumps
📞 Need Help with Acclimation?
Technical Support
Email: support@tidalreef.com.au
Phone: (02) 9876 5432
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM AEST
Emergency Help
Emergency: 0400 123 456
Live Chat: Available on website
24/7 for urgent issues