***The procedure discussed below in reference to “netting” your new livestock from the bag does not apply to sponges, scallops or gorgonias. If exposed to air whatsoever they will immediately die. Instead of “netting” these specimens from the bag you should submerge the bag under water, remove the specimen and the seal off the bag with your hand to remove it. This will only allow a small amount of the water from the bag to be released into your tank. DO NOT ALLOW THE BAG TO GO SIDEWAYS OR UPSIDE DOWN WHILE REMOVING THE LIVESTOCK. The goal is to release as little or no water from the bag into the tank. ***
During shipping of our marine life to you our customer, the quality of the water they are shipped in declines substantially. Metabolic waste from the marine life creates acids in the water that lowers the pH. Care must be taken when acclimating them after shipment to your location.
Although this acclimation process takes about an hour to complete, the steps taken will greatly reduce any stress on the marine life and ensure a long life in its new habitat.
1. Turn off any lighting in the tank and dim any lighting in the room. This greatly reduces shock, stress and trauma to the new livestock as well as any existing livestock.
2. Float the bag containing your new livestock without opening it for about 20 minutes. This allows the water temperature in the bag to acclimate to the temperature in the tank.
3. Turn off any power heads or water circulating devices temporarily (this will keep the bag from possibly sinking or getting to much of your water into it to quickly). Cut open the bag just below the metal clip or rubber band. Roll the top edge of the bag down approximately 1 inch. This creates a small air chamber at the top of the bag and allows it to float on the surface of the water.
4. Add approximately 1/8 of a cup of your tank water to the bag every 7 to 10 minutes. Doing this will give the livestock time to acclimate to the conditions of your water slowly. Speeding up this process will suffocate the new livestock.
5. Remove the bag from the tank and pour out approximately half of the water into a sink, DO NOT POUR IT OUT INTO YOUR TANK. Add approximately ¼ cup of your tank water to the bag every 5 minutes until the bag is full.
6. “Net” the fish in the bag and release it into your tank. DO NOT POUR ANY OF THE WATER FROM THE BAG INTO THE TANK FOR ANY REASON. Adding water from the bag to your tank will pollute your tank.
Never rush these steps. Although it is time consuming, always complete the full acclimation process. Never add any chemicals, air stones or anything else to the bag of water. Doing so can cause severe adverse reactions including the death of your new livestock. You should keep the lights in your tank off for a few hours to help the new livestock and the existing livestock get used to each other, and the environment, in a less intimidating setting. If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please call us at (813) 649-1000 or email us at
Any expressed warranty on livestock granted by Life Oceanic, Inc. will be voided if this procedure is not followed.
Acclimation Procedure
Acclimation Procedure