Steps to increase your success
Aquarium Illusions strives to educate our customers with success increasing techniques.  We care about the fish entrusted to us and we care about our customers.

Take care to add fish that are appropriate for your aquarium size; keeping in mind the adult size of the fish.  Also add livestock according to the maturity level of your system.

Please ask for our assistance in creating a personalized stocking plan for your system.

Welcome your fish to their new home with proper acclimation techniques.

• Aquarium Illusions works closely with all of our suppliers to promote environmentally friendly collection practices.

• Each shipment is housed individually in our quarantine area. All quarantine systems run on independent filtration systems separate from our sales tanks. For delicate species, quarantine is  performed in an isolated full reef system.

• Fish are quarantined for two weeks to ensure they are healthy and eating. As an extra measure to ensure there is no disease present, all fish are dipped in anti-parasitic medication prior to release for sale.

• Even small fluctuations in water chemistry and temperature can cause stress in newly purchased fish & inverts.  Stress weakens the immune system leaving them susceptible to infections.  By taking the proper precautions, this stress can be minimized.

The KEY to acclimating fish is PATIENCE!!

1. Turn off aquarium lights.  Float bags for 15 minutes or until bag temperature matches aquarium temperature.
2. Open bags and gently pour contents into a clean container.  Insert a small power head or air stone providing gentle circulation.
3. Add ammonia remover to the water as per instructions. (recommend Seachem Prime) FISH STEP ONLY
4. Drip water from the acclimation container at a rate of 2-3 drops per second for 30 minutes.
5. If the container is getting too full, remove 30% of the water.  Continue to drip for an additional 30 minutes.Add Paraguard as per dip instructions and continue to drip for 10-15 minutes. FISH STEP ONLY
6. Remove the fish from the container using a sterile net.  DO NOT add water from the acclimation container to your aquarium.
7. 8. Leave the lights off for 8-12 hours to allow the fish to settle into their home.

Follow same procedures as acclimating fish EXCLUDING the Ammonia Remover (Step3) and the Paraguard dip (Step 6).  It is also not necessary to leave the lights off after the inverts have been placed in the tank (Step 8).  When adding snails, ensure they are placed right side up.  When adding crabs, also add an assortment of empty shells for them to grow into.

Equipment Needed

Designate all acclimation equipment for that purpose only.  Clean all acclimation equipment using hot water following use.

• Sterile container
• Small power head or small air pump with air stone
• Drip Line (Aquarium Illusions sells drip kits for your convenience)
• Sterile net
• Ammonia Remover & anti-parasitic medication. FOR FISH ACCLIMATION ONLY