Minimizing stress is the name of the game when acclimating fish to a reef tank, so it is important to follow some some basic rules to ensure fish have a healthy transition to their new environment.

Step one is to equalize the temperature of the water in the bag with the temperature of the tank. This can be done by floating the sealed bag in either the sump or tank for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Once the temperature is equalized, the fish can be removed from the bag by cutting open the top and pouring the water into a temporary container such as a five gallon bucket. Just make sure there is enough water in the container for the fish to be upright so it is not flapping MORE