How to Acclimate Your New Fish, Shrimp and Plants
The first 30-60 minutes matter most. Take it slow - from our water to yours - and your new arrivals settle in happy and healthy.
⏱️
Before anything else: if something looks wrong, film your unboxing and contact us within 1 hour of delivery. Then come back and acclimate the rest.
What you'll need
🪣 Clean bucket (no soap ever)
🥅 A net
⏲️ Timer or phone
💧 Airline tubing + valve (for shrimp)
✅ First, a reality check: your tank must be fully cycled with stable water before livestock goes in - an uncycled tank is the #1 reason new arrivals struggle.
Method 1 - Float and Mix (standard, good for most fish)
🐟 For most fish
1
Float the sealed bag.15-30 min
Turn aquarium lights off, then float the unopened bag on the surface to match temperature.
Turn aquarium lights off, then float the unopened bag on the surface to match temperature.
2
Add tank water gradually.20-30 min
Open the bag and add a little tank water every 5 minutes until the volume has roughly doubled.
Open the bag and add a little tank water every 5 minutes until the volume has roughly doubled.
3
Net them in.
Gently net the fish into your tank and discard the transport water down the sink.
Gently net the fish into your tank and discard the transport water down the sink.
Method 2 - Drip Acclimation (best for shrimp and sensitive fish)
🦐 For shrimp and sensitive species
1
Float first to match temperature.15-20 min
2
Empty the bag into a bucket placed below your tank.
3
Set up a slow drip.
Run airline tubing from the tank to the bucket at about 2-4 drips per second.
Run airline tubing from the tank to the bucket at about 2-4 drips per second.
4
Drip until the water triples.45-90 min
This is the gentlest way to introduce shrimp to new parameters.
This is the gentlest way to introduce shrimp to new parameters.
5
Net the shrimp in and do not add the bucket water to your aquarium.
After they're in
🌙 Keep it calm
Lights off and the room quiet for the rest of the day. No chasing or rehoming for at least 24 hours.🚫 Don't feed for 24 hours
They won't starve - it keeps your water clean while they settle in.🌱 Live plants - the 2-minute version
- Rinse gently in dechlorinated water to remove hitchhikers.
- Trim any damaged or melted leaves before planting.
- A little melt-back in week 1-2 is normal - new growth follows once they adapt.
What's normal in the first few days
- Pale colour after travel stress is temporary.
- Hiding or sitting still is normal while they settle.
- Shrimp grazing constantly is a great sign.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Pouring the transport water into your tank.
- Rushing shrimp acclimation.
- Adding livestock to an uncycled tank.
- Feeding straight away.
- Bright lights and a busy room on day one.
