[TheSplishSplashery]

I've got two new fish coming to me from breeders overseas and I'm not sure if standard "float the bag in the tank" technique applies? I had to drip acclimate shrimp I bought from another province, so I'm assuming I'll need to do the same for bettas who have been living in another country until just recently.

 

[Bikeridinguckgirl14]

Supposadly float the bag works
I like to use an old Pecto cup and slowly add tank water past the overfill until it's the same

 

[LittleBettaFish]

If they are coming from overseas and are not spending any time in local water (our imports have to spend a week in quarantine), I would drip acclimatise.

The water in places such as Thailand and Indonesia can be vastly different from the water in your home. If the fish has travelled from the breeder overseas to a transhipper and then basically directly to your house, it is going to be under an immense amount of stress.

However, first thing I would do when I open the bag is add a couple of drops of something (such as Seachem Prime) that is going to detoxify any ammonia. I believe opening the bag (and I think also raising the temperature of the shipping water) can create a jump in pH levels, which can cause a sudden spike in ammonia.

 

[Hallyx]

... I believe opening the bag (and I think also raising the temperature of the shipping water) can create a jump in pH levels, which can cause a sudden spike in ammonia.

Yes. The CO2 from respiration builds up in the bag and in the water. This keeps the pH low and the ammonia safe (as ammonium). When the CO2 is released, the pH rises quickly and the ammonium changes to dangerous ammonia.

Drip acclimation is nice if you have a few hours and the right set-up. Normal water-replacement from the bag or cup works just as well in practice.

 

[TheSplishSplashery]

Thank you very much everyone! I really appreciate the help.

 

[Stone]

I usually put a drop or 2 of prime or any other conditioner that detoxes ammonia nitrate and nitrites and drip acclimate if i am really unsure of their water conditions, if they are newer to the store or shipped from anywhere not so local, it borders down to what their water is like and what your water is like, the bigger the difference the slower you should go, this is something I learned dealing with shrimp they are a bit more easy to kill.