Coral & Livestock Acclimation Guide

Proper acclimation is one of the most important steps to ensuring your new livestock thrives. Take your time — rushing this process is the #1 cause of preventable losses.

What You'll Need

• A clean bucket or container
• Airline tubing (for drip acclimation)
• A small net
• A thermometer

Step 1: Temperature Equalization (15 Minutes)

Float the sealed bag in your aquarium for 15 minutes. This allows the water inside the bag to slowly match your tank's temperature without shocking the animal.

Step 2: Open the Bag & Begin Drip Acclimation (30–60 Minutes)

Open the bag and pour the contents (animal + water) into your clean bucket. Using airline tubing, set up a slow drip from your tank into the bucket — aim for 2–4 drips per second. Continue until the bucket volume has doubled. This gradually adjusts the animal to your tank's salinity, pH, and chemistry.

Step 3: Transfer to Your Tank

Use a net to gently transfer the animal into your aquarium. Do not pour the bag or bucket water into your tank — it may introduce pathogens or unwanted hitchhikers.

Step 4: Reduce Stress

Turn off your aquarium lights for 2–4 hours after introduction. This gives the animal time to settle and find a comfortable spot without the added stress of bright lighting.

Tips for Specific Livestock

• Corals: Place in a low-flow, lower-light area initially. Allow 1–2 weeks before moving to their permanent spot.
• Fish: Consider a quarantine tank for 2–4 weeks before adding to your display tank.
• Invertebrates (CUC): Invertebrates are especially sensitive to salinity swings — take the full 60 minutes for drip acclimation and never expose them to air during transfer.

DOA & Arrival Issues

If your livestock arrives in poor condition, please review our DOA Policy and contact us within 2 hours of delivery with photos. We're here to make it right.

Questions? Reach out to us — we're reef keepers too and happy to help.