Why acclimatise ?

Shrimps are sensitive to changes in water conditions, due to different water parameters in all tanks. Acclimatisation is critical to ensure minimal stress is added to our shrimps.

Shrimps are even more susceptible to stress with shipping/transport, so all care needs to be taken to ensure they acclimatise well to their new environment.

The major reason's for acclimatisation is the different water parameters (WP) - PH, GH, KH, Temp, TDS...etc. As a general rule of thumb, my acclimatisation takes approx. 1-3 hours, or even longer, if the water parameter is substantially different i.e. TDS, PH...etc

There are several methods used for acclimatisation...

1. Traditional - Float bag in the tank (acclimatises temperature), then pour in tank water gradually over the course of 1-3 hours, by using a spoon, syringe...etc.

2. Drip Method - This method drips water into the shrimp bag/container... generally 1 drop every 2-3 seconds, again the frequency will depends on the difference in WP. Use of a air line and valve with gravity, or intravenous drip (Pic 1) using gravity again (i.e. one end (new tank water) is higher then the bag of shrimps (or container if used to pour the shrimps into).

Pic 1

or a purposed build shrimp acclimatiser (Pic 2)!

Pic 2

After the acclimatisation, it is advisable to net the shrimps out into the tank, rather then pour the entire contents into the tank. The main reason for this is to avoid any potential bacteria/disease that maybe in the water it came from.

Do monitor the shrimps over the next 24 hours, and ensure they are eating and moving around actively.

The only query i have about the drip method is how do you temp match?

Nice write up dude, very informative, well done

Edited June 20, 201411 yr by Squiggle

The only query i have about the drip method is how do you temp match?

By adding/dripping the tank water into the "bag" this will automatically adjust the temp....during winter, where the bag temp can get to 16-18 degrees, I tend to float the bag for 30 min, before even starting my acclimatisation.

In a rack system like yours its simple to float on the bottom row and drip from the top row. What ive always wondered is when people put a container on the ground in a room thats ambient temperature is say, 28 in summer and drip 23 degrees tank water that has been chilled which will heat up again. Especially when its out of the tank for 1-3hrs temperature diffusion is sure to occur

True, each setup will have its own unique way... On my individual tanks, I just float the bags ..... And use a syringe and squirt in the tank water every 10-15 minutes.

Peg the floating bag in a corner.

Using a take away container with a pin pri ck in it, prop it up on the lid so the hole is over the bag and fill it will water every 10 mins.

or just do it when room temp is close to tank temp and float it initially like BB suggested.

Edit: stars out pri ck

Wouldn't floating the kordon bags suffocate the shrimps?

Wouldn't floating the kordon bags suffocate the shrimps?

Should always open and float the kordon bag....

I'm just bumping this thread up as we have a lot of new members that may not be aware of how best to acclimatise their shrimp .

Maybe sticky material ?????

Great idea floating the bags, especially on those really hot days. Great write up!!

I use my satellite breeder box on the side of the tank i just fill it with the water it came with so i can adjust the drip rate into it and allow it to run for a few hours so that it would have atleast filled with complete tank water once :)

I use my satellite breeder box on the side of the tank i just fill it with the water it came with so i can adjust the drip rate into it and allow it to run for a few hours so that it would have atleast filled with complete tank water once :)

but then the water that the shrimp came to you in, would then be going into your tank, i NEVER put someone else's water in my tank's as it is very possible you could introduce disease to your tank/tank's. not having a go, just saying it's not a good idea.

Good pick up Petfish you should really always net the shrimp out of the water once acclimatisation is finished just to be on the safe side . :clap:

yeah, just not worth taking the risk.

If the water your new shrimp arrived in carries a disease then chances are the new shrimp will carry that disease into your tank whether you net it out or not. Always buy from reputable breeders or when in doubt, Quarantine the new shrimp in another tank for a few weeks to a month.

Depends on your tank setup (over filtration, UV...), and the confidence you have with your eco system. I personally mix/pour the water in..,believing in bullet proofing their immunity etc..... A major critical element of acclimatisation is stress....a stress shrimp will suffer the fate of PH, TDS & temp fluctuation and bacteria issues... Bacteria is always present, just depends on the shrimps ability to fend it off.

Have to agree completely, there is bacteria(good & bad) on every surface on the planet both above & below the water & it really depends on the strength on the immune system of your shrimp to be able to fight the bad stuff off. Just have to make sure your shrimp have had their Inner Health Plus today! Hahaha. :rofl:

The only query i have about the drip method is how do you temp match?

Hi Robert some thing I do is float a container in my tank with the new shrimp/fish and use a air line pushed up in my water inlet pipe with a air line tap to set it to drip water in the container till almost full then put new stock in tank and remove container and water that they come in. Hope this give's you some new ideas that may work for you.