View RSS Feed

melev

Acclimimation of a fish

Rate this Entry
11 Comments
by
melev
, 10-01-2011 at 08:05 AM (2300 Views)
CPR sent me out their First Aid Deluxe Kit earlier this year, and recently I acquired a lawnmower blenny for the frag tank at the recommendation of a club member. I've been dealing with some algae in that tank and the hermit crab, emerald crab, red legged crab and a few snails weren't keeping up.

Name: cpr_firstaid.jpg Views: 1220 Size: 113.0 KB


I figured I'd give the First Aid acclimation kit a try. Hooking it up on the edge of the frag tank was easy.

Name: acclimate_lmb-2.jpg Views: 1354 Size: 98.5 KB


I poured the fish and the LFS's water into the box.

Name: acclimate_lmb-4.jpg Views: 550 Size: 76.2 KB


Then I set up a bucket under the acclimator to catch the water dripping out.

Name: acclimate_lmb.jpg Views: 612 Size: 110.2 KB


The trick was how to get water out of my reef into the box gradually, basically dripping in water from the reef into the box at the same rate it was dripping out into the bucket below.

Name: acclimate_lmb-3.jpg Views: 489 Size: 93.1 KB


Not trusting that the flow rates matched, I set a timer for 12 minutes to remind me to check on the fish. I hit refresh like I'd hit a snooze button, running over to check while doing other things every time it chimed. This worked well for the first hour. However, at one point the flow rate was off and the container began to get to hold too much water so I increased the drain drip rate. When I checked back, the poor fish was in the tiniest puddle of water because it drained too quickly. The fish was ready to go in the frag tank as far as I was concerned.

I'd like to come up with a way to add water at the same rate it is dripping. Perhaps submerging the tube in the acclimation container would do it, but I'll have to have the time to do that test.

The First Aid container can be used for other options including a way to introduce new fish into an existing set up, it can be used to breed live brineshrimp, and can be used as a dipping station. Odds are someone will figure out a way to use it as a HOB refugium at some point, if they haven't already.

I'm going to have to play with this a little more but it seems to have some potential.

Submit "Acclimimation of a fish" to Digg Submit "Acclimimation of a fish" to del.icio.us Submit "Acclimimation of a fish" to StumbleUpon Submit "Acclimimation of a fish" to Google

Categories
‎ Tank Entry

Comments

  1. Midnight's Avatar
    Marc, a modification to their design to remedy your problem would be an overflow system. that way as the drips came in the excess water could overflow and then leave out of the tube.
  2. dahenley's Avatar
    Marc, do you think it would help, if you swapped out the valve on the intake water, for one like what is on the drain. that way they are more adjustable. (you can get those for a few $$)
    it might help

    But, like midnight said. a Emergency overflow tube that goes almost to the top of the container, would be nice. that way you dont have to worry about "oops' "
  3. Jnarowe's Avatar
    OK...so why didn't they design flow control into this thing? I really like the box TBH, but how many people (novices) will kill fish with it?

    BTW Marc, there is a good chance that if the LMB eats the algae you have, it will still run out and you will need an exit plan. Very often they do not take to other types of food. I know you know this, but I have seen it happen too many times not to post. My recommendation for your followers is that if they try a LMB, they must remain extremely vigilant in assessing the blennie's physical shape. At any sign of thinning, they should already have a back-up plan. That would be a list of other close reefs that could use the same services. Passing a blenny around a club is not a bad idea, and at some point it might start taking fish food, and that would be its permanent home.
  4. DJ in WV's Avatar
    Look more like a brine shrimp hatcher than a easy acclamation container I would expect alittle more from a company with a r&d department. But like midnight said it does give me a idea for a walk away unit.
  5. melev's Avatar
    The LMB is going into my reef for sure. This was a temporary idea. I wanted a tiny one for the frag tank. I know it'll find food to eat in my live rock in the 400g.
  6. Eric B's Avatar
    Marc,
    I actually use a IV drip controller I got from a paramedic friend and can be set up to drip at 3 or 4 different rates (15, 30, etc. per minute). You could have one one the water in and one on water out set to the same drip rate and it should stay pretty close. I don't know how exact it will be and would have to probably do a bucket test to know for sure but has to be more accurate that the needle valves.
  7. melev's Avatar
    I'm going to tinker with it a little more and see what all it can do. Maybe I missed some step in the instructions.
  8. oaksenov's Avatar
    Mark,
    To avoid overflowing the container set it ( if it is possible with this one) so the top of the container is above water level of your tank. I have AccliMate pro container which uses the same idea for the flow and that's how I use it all the time without any issues.
    http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...ish-supply.jpg
  9. DJ in WV's Avatar
    I like that one except for the suction cups. Still think a simple stand tube is the best way to control the water level in one of these
  10. oaksenov's Avatar
    Yes suction cups are not very reliable. I had one accident when one cup came off. Now I usually just place that container on step lather or still use cups, but place container on the inside of the tank in the water. It makes its removal a bit tricky, but it holds perfectly since it's weightless in there.

    Quote Originally Posted by DJ in WV
    I like that one except for the suction cups. Still think a simple stand tube is the best way to control the water level in one of these
  11. melev's Avatar
    Hey oaksenov, please upload a Profile Picture and an Avatar to your profile so that boring default placeholder goes away.