How To Avoid Huge Temperature Shock?

[IMCL85]

I'll be getting a pair of Apistogramma from a local breeder on tuesday, they'll be put in to my discus tank which consist of a high temperature of 29c. regular method which involve floating the bag over the tank for certain amount of time dont seem to work in this case. as right now out side is very cold, by the time I got them and brought them home from meet up location I dont expect the temperature in side the bag gonna be more then 23-24. a possible 6-7 degree increase over 30 minutes seems deadly to me. any suggestion on how to properly acclimating them with out possibly killing them ?

 

[attibones]

If you can, drip some of the tank water into the bagged water. This process could take several hours, depending on the amount of water you want to add, the frequency of drips from tank to bag, and the volume of water in the bag. If you can temperature match the tap water to the bag water (dechlorinated, obviously), you can put the fish and bag water and tap water in a bucket and have the water drip into this container.

Otherwise, you can float the bag in water one degree or two higher than the bag water (tap, dechlor). Add warmer water every thirty minutes or so. That may work.

 

[IMCL85]

If you can, drip some of the tank water into the bagged water. This process could take several hours, depending on the amount of water you want to add, the frequency of drips from tank to bag, and the volume of water in the bag. If you can temperature match the tap water to the bag water (dechlorinated, obviously), you can put the fish and bag water and tap water in a bucket and have the water drip into this container.

Otherwise, you can float the bag in water one degree or two higher than the bag water (tap, dechlor). Add warmer water every thirty minutes or so. That may work.

 
the later one sounds better, I'll definately do that. thanks for the advice 

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

I'd also go with floating the bags to equalize water temps. Less work, less troublesome but nevertheless effective.

Congrats on your new additions!

 

[dave840f1]

I have always just floated the bag in the aquarium with no ill effects to the fish I think its a myth you need to add aquarium water to the bag as it takes days for the fish to acclimatise not minutes of adding tank water to the bag gradually. Turn off tank lights before floating bag in the tank and leave them off for several hours for the new arrivals to settle in. I know there will be aquarists who disagree with this as everyone has there own way of doing things but I have not lost fish by doing it my way.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Do you have any cooler bags (you know those insulated zip up food bags or hard container)?  I transport my fish in those and thoroughly wrap their bags up warm in towels before closing the bag.  You could also use heat packs as well.

 

[bricko]

I always drip climatise in a bucket for several hours with an airstone also running in the bucket.
 
Depending on your location and that of the fish supplier water chemistry, not just temperature may vary considerably, by drip climatising you will reduce the overall shock to the new inhabitants and give them a greater chance of accepting their new environment as well as minimising the stress which can cause disease and / or infections to break out in newly introduced fish. 
 
Also lights off for a few hours is also a really good idea as stated in dave840f1's post.

 

[snazy]

Drip acclimate the fish for 2-3 hours. Do not use the bag as the container, move the fish to a bigger container, bucket and cover in the dark. For 2-3 hours both the stats and temperature will equalize but make sure to speed up the drip a bit in the last hour and remove water from time to time from the container with the fish too.
 

I have always just floated the bag in the aquarium with no ill effects to the fish I think its a myth you need to add aquarium water to the bag as it takes days for the fish to acclimatise not minutes of adding tank water to the bag gradually
 

 
So because it takes days for fish acclimate fully your logic is to do none? I don't see the connection in your explanation.  Osmotic shock is a very real thing, not myth and fish should be acclimated but its not just about getting them to survive the move but to stay healthy and not develop stress related diseases as a result.

 

[Maehlice]

as right now out side is very cold, by the time I got them and brought them home from meet up location I dont expect the temperature in side the bag gonna be more then 23-24.

 
Unless you're on a motorcycle or other open-top vehicle, turn the heat on in the car.  I keep an air thermometer with me and regulate the air-conditioning to keep it however cool/warm is required.
 

I always drip climatise in a bucket for several hours with an airstone also running in the bucket.

 
+1
 
I use an old smaller aquarium inside the main tank near a corner.  I have extra pond pumps laying around, so I hook one up to pump/drip water into that small aquarium with the new fish.  Eventually, enough water drips inside and sinks the small aquarium -- at which point the new fish are free to swim about.