If you want to learn more about how to quarantine fish check out this video: ruclips.net/video/S_-8UETrQv8/видео.html If you want to learn more about ammonia check this out: ruclips.net/video/m20Jn6-ppro/видео.html Here are some really information-packed videos from the beginners series: What to do before buying an aquarium: ruclips.net/video/W_mD6P_UPfA/видео.html What you need for your aquarium: ruclips.net/video/KS8dQtwQdzw/видео.html How to properly set up an aquarium: ruclips.net/video/1K04OlCOaEg/видео.html Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member! ruclips.net/channel/UCYVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! ruclips.net/channel/UCPEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg
So im new to fish keeping and have lots of questions, but I honestly am not sure if I feel comfortable trusting any fish stores in my local area. Being that you have masters degrees in the field that makes me more comfortable. I understand that you may be super busy as I try to do all that I can to stay busy as well. However I was wondering if there is anyway we could have a chat via phone, social media, or email about some specific questions I have. The videos have lots of good info im just not sure if I remember my specific questions being answered. I'd love to hear back at your earliest convenience but either way im now subscribed and will be looking forward to future videos!
Nice video, quarantine is definitely the way to go but for those who only have a the one tank and no means to quarantine, I would suggest you only ever buy your fish from your LFS who you know quarantine before putting them in their display tanks. This is probably your second best option.
Just go buy a 10 gallon (38 liter) CLEAR Rubbermaid-like tote and cut some holes for a sponge filter and heater cord to go through and another at the other end for a feeding hole. I never lock the lid down just sit it on top so the fish don’t hop out. Use a gallon milk container to fill it with water the first time and use a sharpie to mark each gallon level as you fill it. It makes a great hospital tank and after you are done you can use it to store supplies in until the next time.
Why waste time? I totally agree with haitch04, just buy from a store who quarantine their fish. The main, which i bought most of my fish from doesn't sell any of their fish before they are quarantined.
so you may not need another tank but I'm guessing then following your method would need an extra filter and heater at the minimum right? also won't the plastic body melt because of the heater?
Just starting the tropical journey. I'm already hooked haha. Unfortunately a few fish died in the first week. This video has given me a lift, cheers man!
I’ve been watching your channel for last couple of months and your information has been so helpful! I was never a big fan of science classes in high school/college, but you would be a wicked amazing professor to learn from in a classroom setting. :) If you’re still teaching, your students are mad lucky to have you as an educator.
Wow really good video. When buying fish I take a dark canvas type bag like the ones you use at the grocery store. I place the bagged fish in the grocery bag to reduce light and the movement the fish sees. These bags can (somewhat) act as insulator against temperature changes and they help keep the fish bags from flopping around inside bag like the thin, white plastic bags that you usually get from your fish store.
Excellent to know the chemistry behind the reasoning to use the plop and drop method over drip acclimation. Hope you and your fish have a happy and healthy new year 🎉🥳
Greetings Jason and Joanna. Happy New Year! I too float my bag in the quarantine tank for about 15-20 minutes, cut the bag, pour them into the net then into the tank.I never knew the science behind why this is the better way than drip acclimation. This science based explanation was great. Love this video. Sincerely, Marty Borst 🐠
Thank you for addressing this issue w drip acclimation. My lfs has lower ph water than the local tap water and they still recommend people drip acclimate despite me explaining the ammonia to ammonium ratio at different ph. You did a great brief explanation in your video.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I was wondering what if the LFS water pH is different than my aquarium, say 7.8 pH from LFS to my tank 8.2. Would a drip acclimation be better if it is that different or would you still recommend the floating bag and plop method?
I bought 7 guppies, when putting them into my tank I did the drip method because I had t yet seen this video. I’ve had them for less than 2 weeks and they keep slowly dying off. All of my levels look great. Are they dying because of the way I acclimated them? Or is there something else wrong with my tank?
You can add Prime to the bag of fish to combat the ammonia. I have lost fish doing the plop and drop because of different hardness and ph. I believe drip is best.
thank you for talking about the actual science behind some of these things, I learned a lot in this video! I didn't know half this much when I kept fish in my teenage years.
Is this still true for adding fish from one home tank to another? I can def see for online fish purchases, but what about swapping fish in tanks? Does acclimating with temperature only still apply?
This is such a wonderful series!! Full of lots of information and help for beginners and even experienced fishkeepers! Thank you for this and I hope you all are having an amazing and happy New Year!!🙏♥️🤗🌿🐟🌿
Thank you for providing the science behind acclimating fish! I like to keep the net over a jar secured with a rubber band so I don't have to hold it with my chin!
Thanks for the video. This method seems to against all established methods. Please confirm that you don't mix any of the tank water with the bag water simply acclimatise the temperature rather than the water??
Great info as always. I notice that several of my fish suppliers are using breather bags that tell you not to float them? I still use the float method and haven't had an issue so far. Happy New Year to you and your family!
The breather bags are a little different because they allow for gas exchange. If they float for too long it can cut off gas exchange (O2). I generally don't like them unless someone is shipping fish. LFS really shouldn't be using them for local customers.
My local shop from where I buy fish has pH around 7.7 and I have around 6.8 in my aquarium. I tested to see if there is any change in the bag when I open it and there seems to be almost none and the amonia is undetectable, but the pH difference would probably kill the fish if I did not drip ...
Thanks - we're setting up our tank so this series is really useful. As a biologist the ammonia eqm in the bag was interesting to think about. Have you validated any of that with loggers or probes etc?
Great video! I'm bringing home an 8" Fire Eel tomorrow from my LFS. Would the plop and drop method (exactly how you demonstrated) work well for a Fire Eel? And do you still recommend using a net (large net of course)?
So plop and drop is great for fish but what about shrimp? Shrimp are more sensitive so I hear people drip acclimate them, but are they not getting same ph and water swings?
Can you explain more about drip acclimation. If let say the fish is a softwater but you have hard water would that have more chance of shocking/ killing the fish as much as ammonia? Or is that less likely the case. Apologies ify wording is abit confusing
Jason, as usual thank you so much for the information. With that said, I made a huge new fishkeeping mistake. As you know, I bought a 125 and have started the fishless cycle. (It's going great.) Unfortunately, my first love and tank (the 38 bowfront) with 8 Tiger Barbs an EB Acara and a Clown Pleco, had a catastrophic failure. I have been battling a big ammonia spike for weeks now. I worked tirelessly to try and right the tank but couldn't get it fixed. Thursday morning I woke up to one of my Barbs dying right in front of me. (Heartbreaking) I went to the chiropractor with the intent of coming home to figure things out. I suppose I didn't realize that the stress of the ammonia battle was taking it's toll and more Barbs were declining. (I made the gut wrenching choice to euthanize the barbs. Again, absolutely heartbreaking.) I made the decision to move the Acara and Pleco, which seemed to be at least less stressed and relatively healthy, to my 125 which is already showing signs of a minor cycle. (Ammonia coming down and the appearance of some Nitrates) They are both happy and healthy at the moment. My question is, should I even attempt to treat them with general cure, salt or anything else for that matter, or let them be and let the 125 continue it's cycle? I've completely taken the 38 down and cleaned it with tap water, (Everything) In an effort to cycle it properly, this time.
Really like this but I received some pea puffers in the mail in a breather bag and couldn't float it. I did drip acclimate then added to the tank. This seemed to work fine for this application as I though you weren't suppose to take puffers out of the water? Thanks again so informative. Happy New Year!
Plop and drop into empty tank from local fish store after floating bag for 20 minutes. Drip acclimation for fish being shipped. Science question: how long does it take for O2 to exchange with CO2 once a bag is opened? If there is no surface agitation, won’t it be awhile? In a breathable bag, is there any CO2 buildup at all?
Would plop and drop still be the best method for fish in regular bags that have sat in the mail longer than the heat packs can work? Or could you do a video on what to do if you get ice cold fish in the mail but are still visibly alive? Like a triage video? I've been temp acclimating. Then adding extra Prime to the qt tanks to "buffer" any ammonia from the temp acclimation, then plop and drop. I figure getting them in clean water ASAP is best after temp. Thanks dude!
I have 6 baby rasboras that I am quarantining. I am concerned when I add them to my display tank due to their size my angel fish will make a meal out of them. Does it make sense to feed the angel in the display tank right before I add the rasboras or am I just delaying the inevitable 😟
One of the most informative set of videos I have seen yet , I have always used the Drip system, never heard anything to the Contrary up until now. You explained it beautifully , I will take your advice & I will do it the same way as you do it .My favorite Fish Video channel. A question if I may , They always suggest the Drip method with Shrimp ?
Do you recommend the same with puffers? I’m scared to take them out of water with a net so I was planning on slowly diluting the stores water with mine, but now I’m unsure
I do not have a quarantine tank and I am wondering if doing a salt dip/bath before adding the new fish to the tank would be a good preventative action for potential diseases and parasites. Or just adding them and treating the whole tank with aquarium salt or prazipro
Not really because it may not be effective for some bacterial infections and it won’t protect against any internal parasites. It can also be stressful on the fish.
Usually when I see the drip method recommended it's for shrimp. Does the same issue apply, or is their bioload low enough that acclimating them to the water chemistry is more important?
What about adding a significant amount of fish to an already established community tank. Can we add all fish at the same time or slowly in a few days etc? Thankx
After QT I usually add them all at once, unless the bioload change is going to be so great that it could cause an ammonia spike - then I add them over the course of a couple weeks.
Hello, thanks for the information. I wanted to ask you what is the best way to acclimate new fish with light. I find that every time i switch on the light the first time, my new fish get stress and die. Is there any strategy that can help ? Please i will be very thankfull if you answer me!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics i try that and didnt work :(. I switch it on the next day and still stressed and die. I have my lights on for about 10h every day. All my guppies are fine but when i try to acclimate new fish then happens. So it must be something else, like diseases or something.
Thoughts on adding other species to a tank, such as shrimp/newt/frogs ... My kids fell in love with these pinky nail sized aquatic frogs... scares me they would be smaller than our guppies....
Awesome video thank you! Quick question .. How to acclimate very sensitive fish such as otocinclus since what I've heard and read online that is important to drip acclimate them. I did that method and the next day I lost one of them and a week later one of them developed what I think white wool disease, I immediately quarantined him and treated him but unfortunately, didnt make it due to starvation even tho I kept giving him an algea wafer "sad" 😞but the other four are doing great. Beside ottos, they say we have also to drip acclimate shrimp as well.. Is there a specific acclimation method for sensitive fish and invertebrates? 😊
I don't know how this factors in, but I have heard that Otos can be a problem because the vast majority are wild caught an not really fed before the get to the LFS. By the time you buy them they may already be on their way to starving to death and won't start eating again. Its important to only buy Ottos with little bulging belies which indicates they are eating. Ask your LFS to make sure the Otos are eating before you buy!
It depends on how many fish the bacteria in the tank can handle. Key is not adding so many fish that there is an ammonia spike. Usually fewer fish at a time prevents that once the tank is cycled.
So if they have had a long transport time of a couple of days, should I then only wait 5-10 minutes or so when acclimating them in the bag inside of the tank?
Hey Jason - could you clarify this? So I’ve followed this method for years and had almost no losses until my last batch of fish when I lost two Aulonocara right away to pH Shock (they had all the visible symptoms of pH Shock: breathing issues, swim bladder & both died with 24hours. So my store just use local tap water which is at 7.8pH. I use coral substrate which buffers at 8.2pH. So it seems that .4 is too much for some fish (both where fire fish I’m not sure if they’re more susceptible than other haps and peacocks?) I’m still going to do the temperature match then drop in the net acclimation. But from now on I was going to add a scoop a day of coral sand to the quarantine tank thus slow lying bringing my fish form 7.8pH to 8.2pH.
Hey! Super helpful video. But what if you don’t have a separate tank for your fish to quarantine in? I only have the one tank in my room and was thinking about getting my 2 guppies some friends.
Angels. They are easy to keep very hardy fish and mine personally have alot of personality. With that said I would recommend a larger tank.. They can get somewhat large if they actually grow to their "max size.
I'm getting 3 new bettas (female) for my tank it was used for my old betta a few years ago who died of old age but should I put them into the tank same time or what? I don't have any fish is it rn cus I haven't had any since my last betta but I still got the food conditioner and gravel with I'm gonna replace with sand
Usually multiple bettas will fight unless they are kept in an over-stocked tank (and typically a larger tank). Adding them at the same time is usually better though.
I’ve been having aquariums for years and I was always doing both methods before putting the fishes in the tank. Never knew that the drip method was bad. Thanks for the info, it will be faster and easier now :)
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Jason cpuld you make a video about how to handle a bad situation when it comes to socking the tank. Because I don't have anither isolation tank to treat sickness and I would like the best course of action if presented with a situation that calls for med treatment to a fish that has a disease that has been introduced to my tank.
Hello! I've really been enjoying your new Beginner's Guide series but in this particular video, English subtitles are not enabled. I am severely hearing impaired and require subtitles to understand what I'm watching. If you could go into your video settings and enable them, I'd really appreciate it!
So if I bought a fair amount of mixed fish like tetras, guppies, shrimp and swordtails (all from the same place on the same date) and were introducing them into a fresh cycled tank (no fish in it but left to allow the beneficial bacteria to setup well in advance of getting the fish) would I still need to quarantine them individually or would it be okay to put them into the same tank?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics awesome thanks for the speedy reply seemed like a silly question but just studying up as much as I can before making any decisions 👍
hmm i did the pop and drop after about a half hour and my fish seem really stressed for awhile and some dont make it and die after a fee daysi have a 55 gallon and cant really afford a quarantine tank 😢. my ph is usually pretty high in my tank. would i be better off doing the drip?
Would love to see how you deal with fish purchased online that have spent several days in the bags. Specifically one of the companies I buy from says their fish are shipped in "breather bags" and under no circumstances should the bags be floated. And drip acclimation is all they recommend. Have you ever heard if this? Thanks!
I am interested about starting a small tank. I live in an apartment and don't have a lot of space to put a tank in a stand. I was going to place a tank on a sturdy table but it's next to a window and since I'm in the northeast I know this would not be good. Thoughts or suggestions or best to wait till I'm into a larger home.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you. I was considering a 10 gallon but I think you are correct as it will be to close to a window and don't have a truly comfortable place other than that area to put them.
so starting my 1st tank the year and don't have the funds and more importantly the space for a quarantine tank (will still watch your video thou) will i be ok? i only plan on buy my fish from a small fish store not a chain one like petco. also do you/ should you do the same with plants?
One thing you can do is ask the fish store ppl how long the fish you want have been there and if theyve been treated at all or showed any signs of sickness. If theyve had em for a couple weeks or so and have stayed healthy, they should be ok
Hi! My tank is a few months old and therefore cycled. I' buy new fish from local fish store. How quickly should I add/release it to my tank/quarantine tank. Reason is I bought a few neon tetras recently and most of them died within a couple of days after releasing them the way you show in vide. The release is good as per your instruction but why did they die so quickly. Maybe I have them too long in bag from store after releasing. Not sure as I'm very new to the hobby
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thank you for the reply. I do add them.to.my Quarantine tank with the other fish also purchased. But it seems it is mostly the neon that die within 3 days after purchase. I used to not have any issues with neon Tetras. If it is as you mention then it is one of those things I have to deal with. Have a wonderful day.
I just lost 2 hill stream loaches yesterday i drove 2hrs one way and bought them for 25 bucks a piece. Unfortunately the water parameters they were in 7.6 ph gh 300. Mine are ph 6.5 and gh 75 . I did drip acclimation and one died within 4 hrs the other the next day. I don't know if it was the sudden change of water parameters or the acclimation process that kill them the 3 oto catfish are doing fine
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks for the reply the reason I'm saying this is because I never drip acclimate I just do a 30min float and release but it was recommended by the store owner that I drip acclimate. I can't get them loaches to survive for the life of me this was my second attempt at them they are so beautiful
Will it be harmful to fish if I let the bag drift in tank for more than 30min. Example while I'm busy with weekly maintenance where the newly bought fish will go into?
If you divided a tank and added two new fish at the same time should you quarantine one of them instead of adding them both ? I’ve had some people tell me they just added them without quarantine but I feel like that might be a big no no.
When adding more fish to a cycled tank with fish already in the tank. How long does it take for another cycle to clear. When adding 4 new fish at a time.
how about dealing with Shrimp? I see people put the bag inside the tank for sometimes as what you have done for the fish. Later they acculimate drip the Shrimp, they open the plastic bag and pour the water inside the plastic with the shrimp inside a container than drip the water tank to it. Later they net the shrimp only to the tank. So come shrimp is a bit different from fish? Additional part is drip the water from the fish tank to it?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I plan to get fire red shrimp so is under neocaridina? Just like fish place the plastic bag inside the tank about 20 mins or 30 mins than net the shrimp to the tank ?
If you want to learn more about how to quarantine fish check out this video: ruclips.net/video/S_-8UETrQv8/видео.html
If you want to learn more about ammonia check this out: ruclips.net/video/m20Jn6-ppro/видео.html
Here are some really information-packed videos from the beginners series:
What to do before buying an aquarium: ruclips.net/video/W_mD6P_UPfA/видео.html
What you need for your aquarium: ruclips.net/video/KS8dQtwQdzw/видео.html
How to properly set up an aquarium: ruclips.net/video/1K04OlCOaEg/видео.html
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member!
ruclips.net/channel/UCYVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin
If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel!
ruclips.net/channel/UCPEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg
So im new to fish keeping and have lots of questions, but I honestly am not sure if I feel comfortable trusting any fish stores in my local area. Being that you have masters degrees in the field that makes me more comfortable. I understand that you may be super busy as I try to do all that I can to stay busy as well. However I was wondering if there is anyway we could have a chat via phone, social media, or email about some specific questions I have. The videos have lots of good info im just not sure if I remember my specific questions being answered. I'd love to hear back at your earliest convenience but either way im now subscribed and will be looking forward to future videos!
Thank you.😁
Nice video, quarantine is definitely the way to go but for those who only have a the one tank and no means to quarantine, I would suggest you only ever buy your fish from your LFS who you know quarantine before putting them in their display tanks. This is probably your second best option.
Thank you for this - I was wondering what to do about that.
Just go buy a 10 gallon (38 liter) CLEAR Rubbermaid-like tote and cut some holes for a sponge filter and heater cord to go through and another at the other end for a feeding hole. I never lock the lid down just sit it on top so the fish don’t hop out. Use a gallon milk container to fill it with water the first time and use a sharpie to mark each gallon level as you fill it. It makes a great hospital tank and after you are done you can use it to store supplies in until the next time.
Why waste time? I totally agree with haitch04, just buy from a store who quarantine their fish. The main, which i bought most of my fish from doesn't sell any of their fish before they are quarantined.
so you may not need another tank but I'm guessing then following your method would need an extra filter and heater at the minimum right? also won't the plastic body melt because of the heater?
@@AakritiAgarwal25 for a hospital tank I have used a 5 gallon bucket with a heater, and bubbler :)
Just starting the tropical journey. I'm already hooked haha. Unfortunately a few fish died in the first week. This video has given me a lift, cheers man!
Have fun!
I’ve been watching your channel for last couple of months and your information has been so helpful! I was never a big fan of science classes in high school/college, but you would be a wicked amazing professor to learn from in a classroom setting. :) If you’re still teaching, your students are mad lucky to have you as an educator.
Thank you for being here :-)
Wow really good video. When buying fish I take a dark canvas type bag like the ones you use at the grocery store. I place the bagged fish in the grocery bag to reduce light and the movement the fish sees. These bags can (somewhat) act as insulator against temperature changes and they help keep the fish bags from flopping around inside bag like the thin, white plastic bags that you usually get from your fish store.
Excellent to know the chemistry behind the reasoning to use the plop and drop method over drip acclimation. Hope you and your fish have a happy and healthy new year 🎉🥳
i am starting with what you describe as a quarentine tank I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT THIS THANK YOU! incredible
Good to hear!
Greetings Jason and Joanna. Happy New Year! I too float my bag in the quarantine tank for about 15-20 minutes, cut the bag, pour them into the net then into the tank.I never knew the science behind why this is the better way than drip acclimation. This science based explanation was great. Love this video. Sincerely, Marty Borst 🐠
Thank you Marty - Happy New Year!
I have always used the plop and drop method for 30 years. Now I know I was right! Thanks for the science lesson
Thanks Jason, we can always count on you to drop the science.
Thank you for addressing this issue w drip acclimation. My lfs has lower ph water than the local tap water and they still recommend people drip acclimate despite me explaining the ammonia to ammonium ratio at different ph. You did a great brief explanation in your video.
Drip acclimation can be good for wilds and caridina shrimp. Usually the LFS and the customer tanks have similar water parameters.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I was wondering what if the LFS water pH is different than my aquarium, say 7.8 pH from LFS to my tank 8.2. Would a drip acclimation be better if it is that different or would you still recommend the floating bag and plop method?
I bought 7 guppies, when putting them into my tank I did the drip method because I had t yet seen this video. I’ve had them for less than 2 weeks and they keep slowly dying off. All of my levels look great. Are they dying because of the way I acclimated them? Or is there something else wrong with my tank?
@@juliapaul1180 what are your current water parameters(ammonia,nitrites,nitrates,temperature)
@@jaredl2239 nitrites and nitrate are at 0, ammonia was a little lower than 0.25 so I did a water change, it’s now at 0, and PH is between 7.0 and 7.2
Just starting my new hobby. And this is so useful ! Thank you. I'm glad I browsed around and found you guys ! 🙏🏿
Have fun!
Bro this dude is so legit man.
You can add Prime to the bag of fish to combat the ammonia. I have lost fish doing the plop and drop because of different hardness and ph. I believe drip is best.
How fast does that detoxify the ammonia?
Your such a great guy and taught me about my cyps and how to breed them keep it up
thank you for talking about the actual science behind some of these things, I learned a lot in this video! I didn't know half this much when I kept fish in my teenage years.
Thank you!
Great video very educational even for someone like me that has kept fish on and of for over a decade. Thanks for the great content bro keep it coming
I love these guides! So helpful! As always, thank you for the great information! :)
I have been acclimating my fish wrong this whole time 🙈 Thank you for the great video, science,
and share!! 🙏
Is this still true for adding fish from one home tank to another? I can def see for online fish purchases, but what about swapping fish in tanks? Does acclimating with temperature only still apply?
@@Fishnkitts i would think so
Thank you so much a very helpful video! Getting started with our new tank and tropical fish in London.
Good luck!
Greetings from South Carolina! Your channel is my absolute favorite! I have learned so much from you and Joanna. Thank you!
Thank you for being here!
Would you still use drip acclimation for shrimp since they don't do well with drastic changes?
For the caridina I might.
This is such a wonderful series!! Full of lots of information and help for beginners and even experienced fishkeepers! Thank you for this and I hope you all are having an amazing and happy New Year!!🙏♥️🤗🌿🐟🌿
Thank you! Have a great New Year!
Your content is incredible for us beginners! You explain things so well. Thank you 🙏
Thank you!
Saw that awesome T-shirt to many times. Just got it off the store :)
Awesome - thank you!
Just started into Shrimp tank and your videos are helping a lot! Thanks!! Already subscribed!
Cool! Good luck!
8:36 what to do if you only have one fish tank? And when is a tank considered established?
Fritzyme 7 will add live nitrifying bacteria to the tank. The tank is established once it is cycled.
Thank you for providing the science behind acclimating fish! I like to keep the net over a jar secured with a rubber band so I don't have to hold it with my chin!
Thanks for the video. This method seems to against all established methods. Please confirm that you don't mix any of the tank water with the bag water simply acclimatise the temperature rather than the water??
I don't mix the water for fish.
Great info as always. I notice that several of my fish suppliers are using breather bags that tell you not to float them? I still use the float method and haven't had an issue so far. Happy New Year to you and your family!
The breather bags are a little different because they allow for gas exchange. If they float for too long it can cut off gas exchange (O2). I generally don't like them unless someone is shipping fish. LFS really shouldn't be using them for local customers.
My local shop from where I buy fish has pH around 7.7 and I have around 6.8 in my aquarium. I tested to see if there is any change in the bag when I open it and there seems to be almost none and the amonia is undetectable, but the pH difference would probably kill the fish if I did not drip ...
Usually ammonia doesn’t accumulate enough if the trip is relatively short.
Love this channel. Starting my year off by getting a prime time shirt!!
Woohoo! Thank you for the support. :-)
man you should be a professor. your great at explaining science
Actually I am! I’m an Associate Professor of Biology and Microbiology.
Can you do a video on how to make an air pump quieter because mine is quite loud
That's a very interesting explanation I needed to get. I wanted to use the dripping method before, not gonna do it now.
Thanks - we're setting up our tank so this series is really useful.
As a biologist the ammonia eqm in the bag was interesting to think about. Have you validated any of that with loggers or probes etc?
Absolutely!
Great video! I'm bringing home an 8" Fire Eel tomorrow from my LFS. Would the plop and drop method (exactly how you demonstrated) work well for a Fire Eel? And do you still recommend using a net (large net of course)?
Should work just fine!
So plop and drop is great for fish but what about shrimp? Shrimp are more sensitive so I hear people drip acclimate them, but are they not getting same ph and water swings?
I agree - caridina shrimp may be better acclimated using the drip method.
Can you explain more about drip acclimation. If let say the fish is a softwater but you have hard water would that have more chance of shocking/ killing the fish as much as ammonia? Or is that less likely the case. Apologies ify wording is abit confusing
Great question - in that case it may be more advantageous to drip acclimate.
Jason, as usual thank you so much for the information. With that said, I made a huge new fishkeeping mistake. As you know, I bought a 125 and have started the fishless cycle. (It's going great.) Unfortunately, my first love and tank (the 38 bowfront) with 8 Tiger Barbs an EB Acara and a Clown Pleco, had a catastrophic failure. I have been battling a big ammonia spike for weeks now. I worked tirelessly to try and right the tank but couldn't get it fixed. Thursday morning I woke up to one of my Barbs dying right in front of me. (Heartbreaking) I went to the chiropractor with the intent of coming home to figure things out. I suppose I didn't realize that the stress of the ammonia battle was taking it's toll and more Barbs were declining. (I made the gut wrenching choice to euthanize the barbs. Again, absolutely heartbreaking.) I made the decision to move the Acara and Pleco, which seemed to be at least less stressed and relatively healthy, to my 125 which is already showing signs of a minor cycle. (Ammonia coming down and the appearance of some Nitrates) They are both happy and healthy at the moment. My question is, should I even attempt to treat them with general cure, salt or anything else for that matter, or let them be and let the 125 continue it's cycle? I've completely taken the 38 down and cleaned it with tap water, (Everything) In an effort to cycle it properly, this time.
ONe thing you could try is Fritz Turbo Start? That should help bring down the ammonia and avoid nitrites. Sorry you lost the other fish. :-(
Really like this but I received some pea puffers in the mail in a breather bag and couldn't float it. I did drip acclimate then added to the tank. This seemed to work fine for this application as I though you weren't suppose to take puffers out of the water? Thanks again so informative. Happy New Year!
Ya, breather bags are a different story :-)
Omg so helpful. I never knew the science behind the alternatives. Thank you!!
Thank you for your vedios, watched all 4 took notes sting up my new tank, enjoy your video s
Good luck!
We're did u get ur 4/24/24 filtters 4 your sup tank u made out I think 20 gal tks 4 ur help
Happy New Year primetime aquatics
Happy New Year!
Plop and drop into empty tank from local fish store after floating bag for 20 minutes.
Drip acclimation for fish being shipped.
Science question: how long does it take for O2 to exchange with CO2 once a bag is opened? If there is no surface agitation, won’t it be awhile? In a breathable bag, is there any CO2 buildup at all?
That's a good question. I guess it would depend on how much has accumulated? I don't think there is much build up in the breather bag.
Happy New Year!
Would plop and drop still be the best method for fish in regular bags that have sat in the mail longer than the heat packs can work? Or could you do a video on what to do if you get ice cold fish in the mail but are still visibly alive? Like a triage video? I've been temp acclimating. Then adding extra Prime to the qt tanks to "buffer" any ammonia from the temp acclimation, then plop and drop. I figure getting them in clean water ASAP is best after temp. Thanks dude!
I still like the plop and drop. Temp acclimate for 20 minutes and get them in the new tank.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Yes sir. Thank you!
The information you give all of us has always been such a great help. Thanks again for Sharing. 😀
1:57 are we not concerned about the bag being dirty and contaminating the water?
I don’t add the bag water to the tank. Good question!
Nice video as i am recently adding a red eyed puffer to my 20 gal planted tank😀😀
Hi, thank you
1) What if local store seller water parameters different than my water tank?
2) this technique plop and drop work with discus?
Regards
If it’s drastically different - maybe not.
I have 6 baby rasboras that I am quarantining. I am concerned when I add them to my display tank due to their size my angel fish will make a meal out of them. Does it make sense to feed the angel in the display tank right before I add the rasboras or am I just delaying the inevitable 😟
If they are small enough to be eaten they probably will get eaten. You could always leave them in the QT tank until they get larger?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks, gonna have to. Unfortunately they are in a 4 gallon plastic bin
One of the most informative set of videos I have seen yet , I have always used the Drip system, never heard anything to the Contrary up until now.
You explained it beautifully , I will take your advice & I will do it the same way as you do it .My favorite Fish Video channel. A question if I may , They always suggest the Drip method with Shrimp ?
Shrimp are a little different because they tend not to produce as much ammonia and are more sensitive to water parameter changes.
So I have a 10 gallon and I just added water if I. Add quick start can I guppies right after? Or do I have to wait a few days
The Quick Start usually doesn’t do anything for us. We have had good success with Fritzyme 7 and adding a few fish after that.
Do you recommend the same with puffers? I’m scared to take them out of water with a net so I was planning on slowly diluting the stores water with mine, but now I’m unsure
Yep - I do the same.
I absolutely LOVE your set-up! How do you ever leave that room?!
It can be hard sometimes :-)
I do not have a quarantine tank and I am wondering if doing a salt dip/bath before adding the new fish to the tank would be a good preventative action for potential diseases and parasites. Or just adding them and treating the whole tank with aquarium salt or prazipro
Not really because it may not be effective for some bacterial infections and it won’t protect against any internal parasites. It can also be stressful on the fish.
Just double checking- established tanks are the ones with fish already living? Or the tank that the new fish will be living in, alone?
Good question - An established tank is one that is fully cycled, disease free with fish living happily in it.
Usually when I see the drip method recommended it's for shrimp. Does the same issue apply, or is their bioload low enough that acclimating them to the water chemistry is more important?
You can drop acclimate shrimp if the water parameters are different.
Do you have to quarantine the fish if they come from the same shop (fish/aquatic specialist shop) & the same tanks?
Thanks for clarifying this process
Good luck!
Thank you for your posting, it was very helpful!
What about adding a significant amount of fish to an already established community tank. Can we add all fish at the same time or slowly in a few days etc? Thankx
After QT I usually add them all at once, unless the bioload change is going to be so great that it could cause an ammonia spike - then I add them over the course of a couple weeks.
Hey, my bday is coming up soon. So im getting maybe a 20g tank. I was wondering how many fish i could get and which ones. Loves the vids!
Cool - take a look at our 20 gallon stocking ideas video. That should help a lot.
Hello, thanks for the information. I wanted to ask you what is the best way to acclimate new fish with light. I find that every time i switch on the light the first time, my new fish get stress and die. Is there any strategy that can help ? Please i will be very thankfull if you answer me!
I like to keep the light off for at least a few hours after adding them.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics i try that and didnt work :(. I switch it on the next day and still stressed and die. I have my lights on for about 10h every day. All my guppies are fine but when i try to acclimate new fish then happens. So it must be something else, like diseases or something.
Thoughts on adding other species to a tank, such as shrimp/newt/frogs ... My kids fell in love with these pinky nail sized aquatic frogs... scares me they would be smaller than our guppies....
Fish will often eat smaller animals. You can try it?
Awesome video thank you! Quick question .. How to acclimate very sensitive fish such as otocinclus since what I've heard and read online that is important to drip acclimate them. I did that method and the next day I lost one of them and a week later one of them developed what I think white wool disease, I immediately quarantined him and treated him but unfortunately, didnt make it due to starvation even tho I kept giving him an algea wafer "sad" 😞but the other four are doing great. Beside ottos, they say we have also to drip acclimate shrimp as well.. Is there a specific acclimation method for sensitive fish and invertebrates? 😊
I don't know how this factors in, but I have heard that Otos can be a problem because the vast majority are wild caught an not really fed before the get to the LFS. By the time you buy them they may already be on their way to starving to death and won't start eating again. Its important to only buy Ottos with little bulging belies which indicates they are eating. Ask your LFS to make sure the Otos are eating before you buy!
on stocking a new tank with fish do you recommend buying all the fish at once or one or two every week or so
It depends on how many fish the bacteria in the tank can handle. Key is not adding so many fish that there is an ammonia spike. Usually fewer fish at a time prevents that once the tank is cycled.
So if they have had a long transport time of a couple of days, should I then only wait 5-10 minutes or so when acclimating them in the bag inside of the tank?
I would still do 15-20 minutes to make sure the temps are the same.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics ok thank you!
I love your videos. Do you have a video showing when to add new fish to a new tank? Thanks in advance
This may help: ruclips.net/video/rVQTib_SbZw/видео.htmlsi=BkLQOJ7IVodAjfis
Hey Jason - could you clarify this?
So I’ve followed this method for years and had almost no losses until my last batch of fish when I lost two Aulonocara right away to pH Shock (they had all the visible symptoms of pH Shock: breathing issues, swim bladder & both died with 24hours.
So my store just use local tap water which is at 7.8pH. I use coral substrate which buffers at 8.2pH. So it seems that .4 is too much for some fish (both where fire fish I’m not sure if they’re more susceptible than other haps and peacocks?)
I’m still going to do the temperature match then drop in the net acclimation. But from now on I was going to add a scoop a day of coral sand to the quarantine tank thus slow lying bringing my fish form 7.8pH to 8.2pH.
I don't think that was it? It's a change, but not huge and the change would have been beneficial overall.
I love your scientific explanations!
Hey! Super helpful video. But what if you don’t have a separate tank for your fish to quarantine in? I only have the one tank in my room and was thinking about getting my 2 guppies some friends.
Obviously at that point you’re taking a chance every time you add fish.
@@PrimeTimeAquaticsSo would it be best to turn out the lights and let the bag float then?
@@lonnie_016Yes.
Really interesting and informative as to reasoning. Great video!
What's the best beginner cichlid.. I have a 30 gallon aquarium.. I want a fish with alot of personality and very interesting.. What can you recommend?
Angels. They are easy to keep very hardy fish and mine personally have alot of personality. With that said I would recommend a larger tank.. They can get somewhat large if they actually grow to their "max size.
Take a look at this: ruclips.net/video/q0B5vuH80WU/видео.html
Does the quarantine tank need to be cycled first before putting fish in it?
For sure!
I'm getting 3 new bettas (female) for my tank it was used for my old betta a few years ago who died of old age but should I put them into the tank same time or what? I don't have any fish is it rn cus I haven't had any since my last betta but I still got the food conditioner and gravel with I'm gonna replace with sand
Usually multiple bettas will fight unless they are kept in an over-stocked tank (and typically a larger tank). Adding them at the same time is usually better though.
Thank you for a well explained video 😊
I’ve been having aquariums for years and I was always doing both methods before putting the fishes in the tank. Never knew that the drip method was bad. Thanks for the info, it will be faster and easier now :)
Hey Jason, will this be the same method for shrimps?
I use the same method.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Jason cpuld you make a video about how to handle a bad situation when it comes to socking the tank. Because I don't have anither isolation tank to treat sickness and I would like the best course of action if presented with a situation that calls for med treatment to a fish that has a disease that has been introduced to my tank.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics by the way, you're the man! Keep up the great work
Hello! I've really been enjoying your new Beginner's Guide series but in this particular video, English subtitles are not enabled. I am severely hearing impaired and require subtitles to understand what I'm watching. If you could go into your video settings and enable them, I'd really appreciate it!
So if I bought a fair amount of mixed fish like tetras, guppies, shrimp and swordtails (all from the same place on the same date) and were introducing them into a fresh cycled tank (no fish in it but left to allow the beneficial bacteria to setup well in advance of getting the fish) would I still need to quarantine them individually or would it be okay to put them into the same tank?
If those are the first inhabitants you can use that as the QT.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics awesome thanks for the speedy reply seemed like a silly question but just studying up as much as I can before making any decisions 👍
What would be the minimum tank size for a black ghost knife fish?
They get about 18-20” so I’d probably want an 8ft tank long term.
hmm i did the pop and drop after about a half hour and my fish seem really stressed for awhile and some dont make it and die after a fee daysi have a 55 gallon and cant really afford a quarantine tank 😢. my ph is usually pretty high in my tank. would i be better off doing the drip?
The drip will probably only benefit if the pH from the purchase source is really different.
Would love to see how you deal with fish purchased online that have spent several days in the bags. Specifically one of the companies I buy from says their fish are shipped in "breather bags" and under no circumstances should the bags be floated. And drip acclimation is all they recommend. Have you ever heard if this? Thanks!
Yes - in that case I would follow their directions - breather bags are a different ballgame.
I am interested about starting a small tank. I live in an apartment and don't have a lot of space to put a tank in a stand. I was going to place a tank on a sturdy table but it's next to a window and since I'm in the northeast I know this would not be good. Thoughts or suggestions or best to wait till I'm into a larger home.
Might be best to wait only because smaller tanks are more prone to temperature fluctuations if by a window?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you. I was considering a 10 gallon but I think you are correct as it will be to close to a window and don't have a truly comfortable place other than that area to put them.
so starting my 1st tank the year and don't have the funds and more importantly the space for a quarantine tank (will still watch your video thou) will i be ok? i only plan on buy my fish from a small fish store not a chain one like petco. also do you/ should you do the same with plants?
One thing you can do is ask the fish store ppl how long the fish you want have been there and if theyve been treated at all or showed any signs of sickness. If theyve had em for a couple weeks or so and have stayed healthy, they should be ok
@@deankaprolet3994I need this answer, thank you so much you help me a lot
Hi! My tank is a few months old and therefore cycled. I' buy new fish from local fish store. How quickly should I add/release it to my tank/quarantine tank. Reason is I bought a few neon tetras recently and most of them died within a couple of days after releasing them the way you show in vide. The release is good as per your instruction but why did they die so quickly. Maybe I have them too long in bag from store after releasing. Not sure as I'm very new to the hobby
Neons are notorious for not holding up well after purchase. They tend to be over bred and often sensitive to stress in general.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thank you for the reply. I do add them.to.my Quarantine tank with the other fish also purchased. But it seems it is mostly the neon that die within 3 days after purchase. I used to not have any issues with neon Tetras. If it is as you mention then it is one of those things I have to deal with. Have a wonderful day.
If i dont have a quarantine tank can I medicate a newly cycled tank for parasites/bacteria after introducing fish into the tank?
Yes, the first time you introduce fish the new tank can be the qt tank.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you
I just lost 2 hill stream loaches yesterday i drove 2hrs one way and bought them for 25 bucks a piece. Unfortunately the water parameters they were in 7.6 ph gh 300. Mine are ph 6.5 and gh 75 . I did drip acclimation and one died within 4 hrs the other the next day. I don't know if it was the sudden change of water parameters or the acclimation process that kill them the 3 oto catfish are doing fine
I could be that, but I’ve also found them to be finicky and not very hardy.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks for the reply the reason I'm saying this is because I never drip acclimate I just do a 30min float and release but it was recommended by the store owner that I drip acclimate. I can't get them loaches to survive for the life of me this was my second attempt at them they are so beautiful
Will it be harmful to fish if I let the bag drift in tank for more than 30min. Example while I'm busy with weekly maintenance where the newly bought fish will go into?
Probably not. We have fish in bags for hours at swaps and auctions.
If you divided a tank and added two new fish at the same time should you quarantine one of them instead of adding them both ? I’ve had some people tell me they just added them without quarantine but I feel like that might be a big no no.
If you are buying the fish at the same time they can be quarantined together.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you !
Hello? Sorry to bother you, I want to transfer my guppies to another tank that I have with other guppies. Could I just transfer them over?
Yep!
When adding more fish to a cycled tank with fish already in the tank. How long does it take for another cycle to clear. When adding 4 new fish at a time.
Depends on the size of the tank and the bio load already in the tank. I don’t generally see any ammonia or nitrite spikes when adding fish slowly.
how about dealing with Shrimp? I see people put the bag inside the tank for sometimes as what you have done for the fish. Later they acculimate drip the Shrimp, they open the plastic bag and pour the water inside the plastic with the shrimp inside a container than drip the water tank to it. Later they net the shrimp only to the tank. So come shrimp is a bit different from fish? Additional part is drip the water from the fish tank to it?
A lot of people drip acclimate caridina. I don't with the neocaridina.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I plan to get fire red shrimp so is under neocaridina? Just like fish place the plastic bag inside the tank about 20 mins or 30 mins than net the shrimp to the tank ?
Happy New Year.
Anyone else laugh at the “pour slowly”? 😂😂 thank you for the information, it was very helpful
Thanks 🙏 for the video tiger 🐅 you’re the king 🤴
Wow thanks for this excellent video