Drip acclimation
Drip acclimation is the gentlest way to introduce new shrimp into an aquarium. By slowly mixing aquarium water with the shipping water over about 2 hours, shrimp have more time to adjust to their new environment.
What you need
- A clean container or bucket
- Airline tubing
- A valve, clamp, or loose knot to control the drip
- A shrimp net
- Airstone
Step by step
- 01 Shut off the aquarium lights before starting.
- 02 Gently empty the shrimp and the shipping water into a clean container.
- 03 Start a siphon from your aquarium to the container using airline tubing.
- 04 Adjust the flow so the water drips slowly and steadily.
- 05 Let the aquarium water mix gradually with the shipping water for about 2 hours so the shrimp can adjust.
- 06 Once acclimation is complete, carefully net the shrimp into the aquarium.
- 07 Discard the shipping water instead of pouring it into the tank.
DO
- Take your time and keep the drip slow and steady
- Acclimate for about 2 hours
- Use a clean container for acclimation
- Shut off the lights to help reduce stress
- Transfer the shrimp gently with a net
- Observe the shrimp after adding them to the tank
DON'T
- Rush the acclimation process
- Pour shipping water into your aquarium
- Expose shrimp to sudden temperature or parameter changes
- Handle shrimp roughly during transfer
- Feed immediately if the shrimp still seem stressed