Introducing fish to new tank

[crackatinny]

In the next couple of weeks I will be transferring my fish into a new tank, I know when brought home from a pet shop it is recommended to float fish in the bag for about 20 min, should I float a plastic bowl or something in the tank with some of the old aquarium water in it to let the fish acclimatise to the new tank before releasing them.

[Lady Hobbs]

People have different opinions on this and just do what works for them. Some float the bag for awhile, add some of their own aquarium water to the bag a bit at a time then let the fish go.

Some put their fish in a bucket with some aquarium water for awhile. Others pour the water thru a net then transfer the fish and never put the stores water in the tank. (Good idea incase of snails).

Now there's me........I check the temp of the tank at the store. If it's the same as mine, I don't even float the bag. Just let them go. However, I only live a 20 minute ride from the store so temps have not much time to change.

[Glasstapper]

whether you're transferring from the store to home, or between two tanks at home (what you're doing, right?), I would still treat any transfer exactly the same. Whatever has worked for you in the past, do it again here.

[Lady Hobbs]

I am always moving my fish from one tank to another it seems and I figure if tranferring from tank to tank doesn't bother them at home, it shouldn't bother them any from store to home. :) Most say to float the bag, tho.

[jeffs99dime]

whatever you do, don't put the water from the store in your tank. more than likely it's polluted.

[Severus]

I am one of those people that float the bag. I guess it has worked for me in the past so i stick with it. Any of the methods hobbs mentioned would be fine

[Lady Hobbs]

Actually, the best way is to transfer them into a quaranteen tank for two weeks incase they are carrying disease.

[kimmers318]

I believe we are just looking at transferring existing fish to another tank correct? If you are careful to get both temps the same, you are using the same water from your tap which should give you the same ph reading (unless something in your tank changes it) it should be fairly easy and they really won't need any adjusting. I have taken fish directly from one to another without any problems. If there is any concern about temp differences or a delicate fish I float them in a specimen container adding a little water at a time for awhile. I find specimen containers to be much easier to use than bags floating in a tank.
What is the reason for the move? Are you setting up a brand new tank? If so, please make sure you read up on cycling and that your new tank is ready for your fish or you may have some disasters.

[crackatinny]

I believe we are just looking at transferring existing fish to another tank correct? If you are careful to get both temps the same, you are using the same water from your tap which should give you the same ph reading (unless something in your tank changes it) it should be fairly easy and they really won't need any adjusting. I have taken fish directly from one to another without any problems. If there is any concern about temp differences or a delicate fish I float them in a specimen container adding a little water at a time for awhile. I find specimen containers to be much easier to use than bags floating in a tank.
What is the reason for the move? Are you setting up a brand new tank? If so, please make sure you read up on cycling and that your new tank is ready for your fish or you may have some disasters.

You are correct, it is on the transfer from 1 tank to another, but I thought even the advice on fish shop transfer would help others, I in this experience had more success in the floating of the bag.

I will be setting up tank this weekend, 1st tank I set up I let it cycle for 3 days, with just two mystery snails, and as I added fish had very little worries (after getting the PH neutral).

Here is my plan for this move, after getting temp and PH level's right, I will put in the two snails again, as well as 1 sucker catfish (I have 2 but will put the biggest of the 2 in, bought at same time, and same size, 1 has been a bit of a runt while the other has really grown), I figure from empty tank with undergravel and hang on filter going, by the time the tank settles and I get PH neutral will be about the 3 days before the formentioned are added, I will leave it with just the snails and catfish a further 4 days, then after a week of initial setup, I will start to introduce the other fish, using this method, I will buy a large plastic bowl and float with old aquarium water in it, I will put a couple of fish in this bowl for about half hour, before adding them, I will leave these to settle for about an hr or so then repeat, I will introduce the most hardy at 1st.

At initial fillup, even though it may not be nesesary I will add water ager.

[jeffs99dime]

don't forget to keep tabs on your other water parameters: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.:ezpi_wink1:

[crackatinny]

Thanks for all your help
The transfer seems to have gone well. Over the week I just transferred a couple a day, straight from tank to net to tank (no floating) just made sure temp and PH were pretty much the same. Last transfer was yesterday and no floaters yet.

[jeffs99dime]

the "best" way to acclimate them is to put them in a quarantine tank for a couple of weeks at least, if you have the means. just a tip.--jeff:thumb:

[Incredulous_Ed]

What I usually do is take some water from the tank the fish are in and put it into a container with the new fish. then, I slowly drip the water from the other tank into the container. After about 25 minutes, I will put the fish into the other tank. works pretty well in my opinion. :)