There are two ways to acclimate fish:

 

Baggie Method:

 

Take the newly purchased fish in the bag that the fish was purchased in and let the entire bag float in the desired aquarium. Leave the bag floating there for about 15 - 20 minutes. This allows the temperature of the bag to reach the temperature of the aquarium. This method is easiest and most practical for freshwater fish.

 

 

Drip-Line Method:

 

This method is very time-consuming and not practical for freshwater fish

 

1. Place the desired fish in a bucket with the water from the bag.

 

2. Secure one end of airline tubing in the aquarium so that about 3 inches of the end is submerged. Any type of clamp or binder clip can be used to secure the tubing. Remember, if the water-line goes below the end of this tubing, the siphon will stop and you will have to restart the siphon.

 

3. Let the other end of the airline tubing rest in the bucket with the fish.

 

4. Gently suck on the end of the tubing assigned to the bucket (a papertowel or thin cloth may be used to cover the tubing while starting the siphon instead of sucking directly on the tube, but remember to remove the papertowel or cloth before the tube fills with water).

 

5. Once the siphon has started, tie a knot in the bucket-end of the tubing to control the amount of water flow. Allow almost full flow of the siphon. This will allow the water in the bucket to reach the temperature of the water in the aquarium.