Before opening the bag
- Bring the package inside immediately.
- Inspect the bag or container before opening.
- Keep lights low.
- Do not panic over pale color or temporary stress.
- Prepare a clean container, net, towel, and timer.
Fish acclimation
- Temperature match first when needed.
- Open the bag carefully.
- Add small amounts of tank water gradually.
- Transfer fish with a net or container.
- Avoid dumping shipping water into the display tank when possible.
- Keep lights dim for several hours.
Shrimp drip acclimation
- Shrimp are sensitive to sudden water-parameter changes.
- Use slow drip acclimation when possible.
- Avoid copper exposure.
- Add shrimp only to stable, cycled tanks.
- Provide moss, plants, or cover.
Snail acclimation
- Match temperature gradually.
- Avoid sudden pH and hardness swings.
- Place snails upright when possible.
- Do not add snails to tanks recently treated with copper.
Saltwater fish acclimation
- Match temperature and salinity carefully.
- Use a stable, established marine system.
- Keep lights low.
- Avoid aggressive tankmates during introduction.
Marine invert acclimation
- Drip acclimation is often safer for sensitive marine invertebrates.
- Match salinity slowly.
- Avoid copper-based treatments.
- Add to stable, mature saltwater systems.
Coral acclimation
- Match temperature and salinity.
- Start with moderate/appropriate light and flow.
- Move final placement gradually.
- Watch coral response before increasing light or flow.
Plant unpacking
- Remove packaging.
- Trim damaged leaves if needed.
- Plant stems/roots appropriately.
- Do not bury rhizomes.
- Expect some melt or shedding after shipping.
What not to do
- Do not rush acclimation.
- Do not dump livestock into an uncycled tank.
- Do not pour dirty shipping water into the display if avoidable.
- Do not blast new arrivals with bright lights.
- Do not mix incompatible livestock just because they arrived together.
When to contact support
If something looks wrong on arrival, reply from the order email with clear photos, a short description, and the order number.
