MOST FISHES
Float the fish bag closed for about 10 to 15 minutes to adjust the water temperature inside the bag. Then open the bag and begin adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag. Add about 2 to 3 ounces of water to the fish bag every 3 to 5 minutes for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then remove the fish from the fish bag, ( with a net if possible) and place the fish in the aquarium. After following the above acclimatizing instructions, a freshwater dip can be safely given to most saltwater fishes just before placing the fish in the aquarium. ( Also, try not to get any pet store water from the fish bag into your aquarium. This is a good practice for reducing cross contamination)

A FRESH DIP
Many saltwater fish can tolerate a freshwater dip. A 10 or 20 second freshwater dip can be given to a fish before entering your aquarium. ( The fresh dip will help to weaken any bacterial infections and also can knock parasites off the fish.) Ask Animal Attraction which fish are safe or not safe for fresh water dips.

1. Make sure the freshwaters temperature matches that of the aquariums water.
2. Dechlorinate the freshwater and adjust the freshwater P.H. up to a P.H. of 8.1 to 8.3 .(a P.H. buffer may be required to attain the proper P.H. levels.)
3. Dip the fish in the freshwater for 10 to 20 seconds just prior to placing the fish in the aquarium.
4. Medicinal dips are available that can be added to the freshwater dip or the fish bag that will help to protect your aquarium from bacterial or parasitic infections.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT FRESHWATER DIP
Shrimp, snails, crabs, starfish, anemones, lionfishes, mandarin gobies, scooter blennies, pufferfishes, boxfishes, eels, seacucumbers, nudibranchs, l.p.s. corals, urchins, and most corals. (It is suggested that you ask about each specimen that you are planning on freshwater dipping)

ACCLIMATIZING INVERTS
Follow the same instructions for acclimatizing fishes, EXCEPT DO NOT ADD ANY MEDICINAL DIPS TO THE BAG and DO NOT PERFORM ANY FRESHWATER DIPS ON THE INVERTS. Also, most inverts require a longer period of time for adjusting the salinity in the bag. Spend more time adding aquarium water to the bag that the invertebrate is in.

*** Shrimp, starfish, snails, crabs, anemones, and most corals should take at least 1 hour and even up to 2 hours to acclimatize. ( This means adding small amounts of water to the invert or coral bag every five minutes for at least 1 hour)

*** Slow acclimatizing can also be achieved by slow dripping aquarium water from the aquarium into the bag containing your new specimen. A section of airline tubing and an airline valve can be used to perform the slow drip method. Ask Animal Attraction for further instructions if needed.

PLACEMENT OF CORALS
Once acclimatized and in the aquarium, place the coral lower in the tank so that it can adjust to strong lighting slowly. Also, place the coral in low to medium water flow. Initial strong water flow and intense lighting may stress a new coral. Take your time to research each specimen of coral you are acquiring and plan a final destination in your aquarium for that coral. Spend 4 or 5 days slowly moving the coral up toward the stronger light in the aquarium to its final destination.

PLACEMENT OF ANEMONES
Same as above rules for placement of corals.