Adding fish to my tank.

[Hookup]

I've been told to NEVER add anyone else's water to your tank, especially fish store water.

For sure good advise there and everyone should consider the risks!  But so I do not get called a hippopotamus I can say that I do not follow it.  I've bought fish from OttawaInverts, AquaValley, MarineScape and Big Al's and never had any issues... I know, it just takes one and i've been lucky... but i don't want to lie..

[ciaus]

For sure good advise there and everyone should consider the risks!  But so I do not get called a hippopotamus I can say that I do not follow it.  I've bought fish from OttawaInverts, AquaValley, MarineScape and Big Al's and never had any issues... I know, it just takes one and i've been lucky... but i don't want to lie..

Adding water from any external source carries risks, but IMHO, adding water from a LFS with the fish is just playing Russian Roulette.  It is like speeding when you drive a car, sooner or later you WILL be caught.

Ciaus

[Hookup]

Adding water from any external source carries risks, but IMHO, adding water from a LFS with the fish is just playing Russian Roulette.  It is like speeding when you drive a car, sooner or later you WILL be caught.

Ciaus

Yep, true words...   It's not the LFS's fault either for them to go through the process of ensuring their systems are 100% perfect the cost of fish would increase a significant factor...

[Vincenzo.]

and decisions Tin-Banger?

[kole18]

no matter what you do pls , don't take that water pour into your tank. it has diffirent salinity level not only that could cause more bad stuff in it "Ich" one of main problem never ever adding another water from a diffirent system, just give you ahead though mostly everybody knows what's the consequence might happen in your tank and just for the sake of your livestock in your tank, also think about it how much you spend money on this hobby just friendly advice 

[Snider82]

i wont dump the water.... anymore.   I'm too scared to now LoL     next idea is    3 hours travel in a car? could this be a problem?  All the good fish are in Ottawa, and when i go to Ottawa, buy my fish... i HAVE to grab dinner there plus the drive home, its usually about 3 hours the fish is stuck in a bag in the car    maby i should be getting a SMALL pail with a lid so i can put a heater in there....   what do other people do?       i guess in the summer its not bad.. but in the winder it is too cold and I'm SURE the temperature drops in the little bag of water.   

Vince.  i guess in not a Tin Banger anymore... well right now,   I'm unemployed ATM ( shortage of work )   

[RossW]

3 hours in a bag is nothing... most fish spend 30+ hours in a bag when they are shipped here.

Do make sure that there is approx. 1/3 water and 2/3 air in the bag.

[mikerobart]

I think three hours is fine... now if it's -20 C in your car and the fish is in there for 3 hours that is another story... that water will get cold way fast.. even in a styrofoam box might get too cold.

You could rig up a bucket, throw in a little powerhead or air pump for aeration and a heater. Run it off a 12vdc to 120vac converter you can get for cheap at crappy tire or the like.

[Snider82]

I have an "eliminator" that has 2 plugs in it.  i guess my best bet is to use a bubbler and heater with it.. it would have to be a very small heater, (fish store doesnt give alot of water)      i could go all out and build a live-well in my car! LOL!

[Hookup]

just watch your temp as others have indicated... 3hrs is nothing to worry about..

[mikerobart]

Yeah you'll only need the heater if the fish will be in the car without heat and it's pretty cold in there for an extended period.

[Snider82]

I bought a 6 line wrass today!  he is Beatifull!  there was a yellow corris wrasse there too,  but it was in QT, so i couldnt buy him.       i'v been acc. my fish for 2 hours now, adding 1 cup of water ever 30 min.   its night time, lights are out.. so it will be a good time to add him to the DT.  he seems to be doing well so far.

[Hookup]

I added one of the most sensitive fish to my system tonight.... an Achilles Tang.. It took about 3 hours with my method... He had spots of what could be ICK on him from the store, who got him in only a bit ago... this tang is known for ICK related deaths much like the power blue and power brown tangs...  without doubt, at the cost I'm nervous but so far, he is doing ok.. he ate a very little amount, but is watching others and I think he will start to eat frozen and pellet food soon.. he does pick at rocks, but there just isnt anything to pick at...

Good luck iwht your 6-line... They are OMG awesome at everything maintenance and functional... a great fish for sure... 

[Snider82]

the morning after acclimation my 6 line wrasse didn't looks so good,  he was swimming into rocks and the glass.  i also was worried about the cocoon around him till i found out it was normal.  i went to the LFS to chat with the owner, he figured i did a good acclimation and didn't know what would be wrong.    While i was there i picked up another 6 line (for some reason i never leave empty handed).   So i did an another acclimations the same way, this time i tested the LFS water,  it was good results.   

The good news!  BOTH fish are doing very well!  they both ate a little food, and both claimed there space in the tank.  my bad luck streak is over!

[Hookup]

Yeah!!! 

[Fishhead89]

watch out for the 6 line wrasse jumping.. (if it's as issue.) I've lost one like that.They are great fish - really busy, fast swimmers. My toddler named ours "purple"

[Hookup]

watch out for the 6 line wrasse jumping.. (if it's as issue.) I've lost one like that.They are great fish - really busy, fast swimmers. My toddler named ours "purple"

I added two fire fish to my tank this weekend... (I know i'm stupidly overstocked).. anyhow, one of them lasted approximately 34seconds... and was found crusty the next day... we thought it jumped back into the tank and hid...   I hate jumpers... (went and replaced him with a less suicidal looking fire-fish the next day).

[Snider82]

i have a glass cover over the tank, i don't like it,  but it prevents fish that think their birds from "flying" out.

[ciaus]

Another discreet advantage to a tank top, is that it also drastically reduces evaporation...So much so that I am considering putting one onto my new tank...

[Snider82]

yea i guess thats an advantage too,  but it seems like i still get lots of evaporation.... the fuge light doesnt help with that.   ah well, doing top offs keep me checking my salinity so i guess its a good thing