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Acclimation

Hey there, Goldfish Enthusiast!


Thanks a bunch for choosing Premium Goldfish Canada for your recent purchase! We’re so excited that you’ve brought some new aquatic friends into your home. Now, let’s talk about the acclimation process, which is super important for your goldfish’s smooth transition to their new environment.


You see, your new goldfish needs to get used to their new surroundings gradually. The water temperature, pH, and salinity in the shipping water can be quite different from what they’re used to in your tank, and this can stress them out. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this guide.


Preparing for Your Goldfish’s Arrival


Make sure your tank or quarantine tank is ready at least 48 hours before your goldfish arrives. You can use aged water or take some of your main tank’s water and mix it with new water. It’s a good idea to have a separate quarantine tank too, just in case.


Here are the ideal water parameters for your tank:

Water temperature: 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit.

• pH: 7.5-8

• Ammonia: 0 ppm

• Nitrites: 0 ppm

• Nitrates: Less than 20 ppm (as low as possible)

You can check these parameters using an API freshwater test kit.


Setting Up a Quarantine Tank


A quarantine tank helps your goldfish get used to their new surroundings and checks for any diseases. Make sure it’s empty and filled with aged water at least 48 hours before your goldfish arrives. A 10-20 gallon tank would be perfect, but the size might depend on how big your goldfish is.


When Your Goldfish Arrives


Here’s how you can safely introduce your goldfish to their new home:


Turn off or dim your aquarium lights. Don’t open the shipping box in bright light.

Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for 15-25 minutes without opening it. This lets the water inside the bag get used to the tank’s temperature.

Here’s how you can prepare your new goldfish for their new home:


1. **Open the bag:** Gently inflate it with some air and compare the water temperature with your tank. The difference should be no more than 3 degrees Fahrenheit.


2. **Fill the bag:** Slowly add tank water to the shipping bag, pouring about 1 cup every 5 minutes until it’s almost full.


3. **Remove the goldfish:** Carefully take the goldfish out of the bag and put it in the aquarium. Don’t add the bag water to the aquarium.


4. **Turn off the lights:** Keep the aquarium lights off for 12-24 hours.


5. **Wait to feed:** Don’t feed your new goldfish for the next 48 hours.


6. **Quarantine time:** After the quarantine period, your goldfish is ready to join the community tank. The quarantine time can vary, but it’s recommended to keep it for at least a week (7 days). The decision about how long to quarantine depends on how your goldfish is doing. Is it active and seems strong enough to meet new friends?


**Important warning:**


When you’re ready to move your goldfish to another tank, there are a few things you need to do carefully to avoid shocking them:


1. **Temperature:** If you want to lower the temperature of the quarantine tank, do it slowly. For example, if your main tank is around 75 degrees, you can lower the quarantine tank temperature by 2 degrees every week. This way, your goldfish will get used to the lower temperature without being shocked or stressed. Keep doing this until the temperature reaches 75 degrees.


2. **pH:** The pH level in the quarantine tank and the main community tank should be similar. If they’re not, you can mix the water from your main tank with the quarantine tank to help your goldfish adjust. About 25% of the water from your main tank can go into the quarantine tank when you do a water change. Make sure the water in your main tank is clean (no ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate).


By following these steps, you’ll increase your chances of successfully acclimating your new goldfish to their new home and keeping them healthy. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to reach out!