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The proper acclimation of a new arrival is extremely important considering
the amount of stress the coral has endured before arriving at your door. We
recommend that the following procedure be followed immediately upon receipt
of the livestock. The entire process is actually very simple and should take
an hour to complete.
Step 1: Turn the Aquarium Lights OFF
The livestock has been in complete darkness for the last day, and will not immediately
adjust to high output aquarium lighting. By turning off the lights, you remove
a possible source of stress for the new arrival.
Step 2: Float the Bag for 10 Minutes
First remove the outer bags and float the closed inner bag for 10 minutes. There
is a good chance that the bag's temperature is significantly lower than the
temperature of the tank. The initial floating period allows the temperature
of the bag and the tank to equalize.
Step 3: Add 1/2 cup of Aquarium Water
Open the bag and pour 1/2 cup of the aquarium's water in. The slower you add
the water the better. Corals and other invertebrates are sensitive to fluctuations
in pH and especially salinity. If possible, drip the water in the bag. Repeat
this step every 5-10 minutes. If the bag fills completely, empty half of the
bag's contents into a drain. We do not recommend pouring the mixed water into
the aquarium since it likely contains all sorts of mucus from the stressed coral
that may be toxic.
Step 4: Release the specimen into the tank
Find a suitable location where it will receive the appropriate flow and lower
light. It will need a few days to adjust to the new lighting.
Other Notes:
If you have access to a quarantine system, we recommend using the above method
to first acclimate the new arrival. After the quarantine period is over, repeat
the procedure to introduce the specimen into the display tank.
Using an airstone to oxygenate the water in the bag during acclimation is not
recommended. The pH of the water may rise quickly and cause damage to the new
arrivals.
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