I plan to have some tutorials regarding this process later.

In this industry, there are similar / standard acclimation method that most hobbyist follow, and sellers recommend.

I do not particularly care for them and therefore, I may request that you please follow the acclimation procedure I have laid out. If not, please be advised that this could cancel the live arrival guarantee that I offer.

Most of the time, a simple floating method may be fine. There could be situations in which if using the above method could potentially kill a coral. And the method I use and recommend should be followed.

For example.
Corals, and livestock are already stressed during shipping. I use 72-hour heat packs and assorted Ice packs in the summertime. I have had this scenario happen before. A customer asked for me to ship the package out on Thursday I warned the seller about shipping later in the week. He insisted and understood the risk. I had set to arrive for Friday before 10am. Needless to say the package was delayed.  The seller contacted me, and we tried to have the package picked up at distribution center. The buyer and I was both denied. Because I did not have an option for Saturday delivery. Therefore it could only be delivered the next business day which was Monday.

The corals was in a box in 40 degree temperature for 4 days 96 hours in total. To make matters worse this was during the Covid Pandemic and I was advise that there is no longer any on time arrival guarantee. I explained to the customer that I packaged the items very well and if any DOA happens I will work with him. But he has to keep me inform along with pictures especially being so long in a box.

On Monday when the customer had the package delivered, he immediately took a temperature reading. It wasn’t as bad as what I thought 65 degrees. And he was amazed at the polyps were still in fact open and looked healthy and he provided me with pictures. At this point we were both impressed!

He wanted to float them, and I asked him not too. I had him follow these specific instructions to help ensure survival because of the 65-degree water. Going from 65 to 78 is a huge difference 13 degrees to be exact. I asked him to use my drip method 2 – 3 drops per second. And asked him to not increase the temperature more than 2 degrees per hour. He followed my instructions and spent the 6 1/2 hours acclimating the package. I kept in contact with him every hour. He sent me pictures of him temperature readings until the water in the container matched his aquarium.

I then advised him that he could now transfer them. I asked him over the next couple of days to monitor and send me a status report. To both of our amazements he had 100% alive and healthy corals! I credit a lot of this to his willingness to follow my instructions his extra time for the acclimation procedure and the excellent communication between seller and customer.

I personally will plan to give out thermometers for every order placed. Assuming I have the supplies at the time of your product being, packaged. If I do not have a thermometer in the bag. I will ask if you happen to have one . And to please provide me a temperature readout. In the event you do not have a thermometer. I realize it’s not the ideal situation and may require approval with the wife; ) a kitchen or meat thermometer will work.

This gives us a better understanding of the temperature of the item in the bag as well as documentation.

For example, the temperature of the bag is 75 and your aquarium is at 80. This is a 5-degree difference. With most corals / frags I might have an ounce of water in the bag. Because of the little volume of water that small amount can heat up instantly if floated. Under certain circumstances this could cause a stress on the coral.

Therefore, I ask all to please follow my acclimation table. I realize that not everyone may not be able to drip for hours especially for those who may have nano tanks. The key here is to avoid rapid temperature increases in the water. In some cases no more than 1°F - 2°F per hour.



A standard acclimation procedure is something like the following and would be appropriate if the water difference is less than 4°F.

Floating Method:

Float the unopen bag in the aquarium for 10 minutes. This allows the temperature to equalize from the temperature of the aquarium to bag.

Open and roll the side of the bag down this allows the bag to free float. Add ¼ to ½ cup of aquarium water to the bag. Every 8 minutes add another ¼ to ½ cup, until 24 minutes to 1/2 hour.
If the bag fills up then either discard ½ to ¾ of the water into a bucket or transfer the contents into a container and proceed with adding the ¼ to ½ cup until the time is up.

Transfer the coral and discard the water from the bag. Please be sure not to mix the water from the bag into your aquarium or quarantine tank.