Transport Container Acclimation Method

Whether moving fresh or saltwater fish and other aquarium animals, upon arriving at your final destination after having followed our 8 Easy Steps to Pack-Up and Move Aquarium Pets, here's how to easily acclimate the animals right inside the transport container before introducing them into their new home.

Before Starting Tips

• If at all possible, it is best to prepare in advance for your arrival so that you will be ready to acclimate the animals as soon as possible.

• Both a portion of the transport container water and new saltwater will be used for this acclimation procedure. However, the transport water should only be used if it is clean.

• To simply filter the water right inside the transport container before or during the acclimation process, or in another container for reuse after it's been removed (see Step 1 instructions below), just run a compact hang-on-tank canister or similar type filter for a little while to clean it up. If you cannot do this, a fine-meshed net can be used to gently scoop up and remove detritus or animal waste that may be present.

• If you cannot reuse the transport container water because it is just too dirty, you'll need enough new saltwater to complete the acclimation process for the number and sizes of transport containers you have. Preferably the saltwater should be mixed ahead of time and stored, or be in an aquarium already set up for use.

• If you are not ready to begin the acclimation process right away when you arrive, it is important to keep the water in the transport container oxygenated, ammonia-free, and as waste-free as possible.

• To provide re-oxygenation of the water, either drop an airstone in for a few minutes, or scoop some water out with a large plastic container, then pour it back into container from about 12 inches or higher above, repeating this procedure several times.

• Add an ammonia eliminating product to the water. Our preference is Amquel by Kordon, because it only takes a small amount, acts immediately, and cannot be overdosed with.

• Keep the water clean or filter it as described above.

• If you run out of room to put more new saltwater into the transport container during the acclimation process, remove enough that will enable you to continue on.

Transport Container Acclimation Instructions

1. Remove enough water from the transport container to bring the level to about 1/2 full, saving this water if it can be reused.
2. Put a quantity of the new saltwater into a plastic container (about 1/4 the amount that equals the volume present in the transport container), pour it into the transport container from about 12 inches or higher above, then wait 15 minutes.
3. Repeat this process.
4. Put a larger quantity of the new saltwater into the plastic container, (about 1/2 the amount that now equals the volume present in the transport container), pour it into transport container from about 12 inches or higher above, then wait 15 minutes.
5. Repeat this process.
6. Once acclimation has been completed, remove all but enough water in the transport container to keep the animals comfortably covered, and pour the water into the set up aquarium.
7. Remove the animals from the transport container and place them into the aquarium.
8. Top-off the tank with more new saltwater it needed, or the saved transport water if it can be reused, and get the tank running.
9. To assist with removing any unwanted waste or matter floating in the aquarium water rather quickly, run a compact hang-on-tank canister or similar type filter on the aquarium for a while.
10. The next day perform whatever portion of a water change you feel is safe or needed for the aquarium.
11. Treat the aquarium as you would a newly set up tank.