Acclimating GSP from FW to SW

[Ajepalmer]

J-P and I have come to a plan on raising the salinity at an adjustable rate as to Acclimate a GSP over a day to live in Marine if bought at a LFS in FW.

Supplies required:
1x 5g Tank w/ lid (DO NOT LEAVE OPEN UNLESS DOING SOMETHING WITH TANK AT THAT MOMENT)
2x 1g Buckets
1x 2g Bucket
1x Air Pump
1x Heater
1x Hydrometer
1x Thermometer
Scotch Tape
Sharpie

Begin this procedure 24-48 hours before picking up GSP from local Fish Store. Please make sure you have 10 hours to spend dedicated to watching your GSP carefully. Please prefer to professionals about what to do if your puffer is showing signs of illness as this is not meant for an unhealthy puffer. GSP will show sign of darkened belly if becoming uncomfortable or agitated while in container. May need to give the puffer more time before adding more to the salinity and at some points add more FW or BW to allow the puffer to adjust easier. Put scotch tape on all containers marking the salinity with the sharpie as you complete each step that requires change so you do not mix up anything. Research GSP agitation to watch for signs from your GSP to verify it is safe while performing these steps.

Step 1: Setup your 5g Tank with 1g of Freshwater. (Treat this with dechlorinator of your choice if using tap water/city water.) Add the Air Pump. Test your FW to verify that the Ammonia/Nitrite=0. The PH should be around 7-8. Add a heater at the corner of the tank as to give the puffer more room once placed. Set the temperature to the temperature of the marine tank that the GSP will be introduced to. Preferably a suction cup submersible heater as it will allow you to lower/raise as needed with the water.

Step 2: Add 1g of water to first 1g Bucket. (repeat dechlorination if needed in this bucket and remember to test water.) Verify that the room temperature where you are storing these will be close in relation to the temperature of the marine tank you will be introducing the GSP into. Add in the required amount of Marine Salt into this tank to raise the salinity to 1.016. (You want this bucket and the 5g tank water when mixed to raise up to 1.008 for Low Brackish Water.) Freshwater is naturally 1.000. Please follow the Directions for whichever product you are using.

Step 3: Add 1g of water to second 1g Bucket. (repeat dechlorination if needed in this bucket and remember to test water.) Verify that the room temperature where you are storing these will be close in relation to the temperature of the marine tank you will be introducing the GSP into. Add in the required amount of Marine Salt into this tank to raise the salinity to 1.020. (You want this bucket and the 5g tank water when mixed to raise up to 1.015 for Mid-High Brackish Water.) Please follow the Directions for whichever product you are using.

Step 4: For this step you will need your 2g bucket. Check that your Marine Tank is around 1.025 salinity. If not please adjust this before continuing. As to now help you to save some water from your Marine Tank if your Marine Tank has already received it's WC to reduce any ammonia. Please verify that your ammonia level is close in relation to 0 as you will be using the water for this tank and once the GSP is introduced it will be an unsafe environment for it. Now that you have tested and checked that, that specific Marine tank has had a recent WC, siphon 2g of marine water into the 2g bucket. Verify that the room temperature where you are storing these will be close in relation to the temperature of the marine tank you will be introducing the GSP into.

Step 5: Now it is time to wait for the Dechlorinator and Saltwater mix to settle. Please verify that your water has the salinity that is required by now using the Hydrometer. If it isn't, adjust before continuing. It should be around 24-48 hours before picking up the GSP. Keep an eye on these tanks and use a thermometer to check all water temperatures.

Step 6: Let's go bring home our wonderful new family member! Your GSP... Please once you ask for your GSP only let whoever is getting your puffer out to use a container to remove it. If using a net, the puffer can become agitated once taken out of the water and inflate with air which may cause it to suffocate. Using a snail or other treat in the bottom of the container can sometimes bait the puffer inside. Now that your home I'm assuming, set the bag to float on the 5g tank water as you would any other fish for around 5-10 minutes for the temperatures to adjust. Now gently release your puffer into the 5g tank. This is where you can watch him and enjoy that he is home, you have a ways to go. Next step will be in 1 hour.

Step 7. Now that you have waited so patiently, you can do something new. I hope your puffer is still doing fine and everything is working well. Check the temperature of the First 1g bucket to verify that it is same temperature of the 5g tank. If it is then pour gently half the bucket into the 5g tank and watch the reaction of your puffer for the next hour for agitation in dark bellies. You can try giving it a treat such as a snail or ghost shrimp, maybe a clam if treated properly to entertain you and the puffer while waiting. Once this hour has passed you may add the second half of your bucket. You will need to monitor him once again. Using your hydrometer now check the salinity of the tank. The tank should be close to 1.008. Once again, monitor and keep yourself busy for another hour.

Step 8. You have done a lot so far and good job. Now we are going closer to Marine water and this is where you will need to monitor your GSP very closely. Remember if he is becoming agitated feel free to wait until he is feeling better before adding more water. You do not want to raise the salinity while he is uncomfortable. He should have a nice white belly to be happy. Let's use the second 1g bucket. Add half the 1g bucket this time. Monitor for another hour. Once this time has passed, gently pour the rest of the bucket. Use your hydrometer after a couple minutes. The salinity should read close to 1.015 on your hydrometer. Only 1 more bucket and it is getting very close to marine. Watch carefully for any signs of agitation for the next hour.

Step 9. Now it is time to add marine water. Use your 2g bucket with Marine Water. Add a quarter of the bucket (.5g) into your 5g Tank. Wait an hour while watching and repeat. Follow these 2 parts until all water in 2g bucket is used. Check your hydrometer. If done correctly the salinity should read between 1.020 and 1.025. You are about ready to introduce him into your marine tank finally. Watch him for an hour to two checking that your puffer is feeling alright and is not getting sick. Remember that it has been a long day and he may rest occasionally.

Step 10. You will be now adding him to full marine. The same way the person that got the puffer for you, caught it, repeat those steps with the container. Gently dip the container into your marine tank and let your puffer go swimming into his new tank. This is not done yet. He must be monitored for as long as you feel is safe or you have to spend with him.

I hope your puffer has done well and I would appreciate any feedback from people that have repeated this. I will be performing this procedure on the 11th and will be taking lots of pictures to post for everyone on the forums. I would like lots of tips if anything you feel is incorrect on this post. Thank you for your time taken to read this plan.

[Ajepalmer]

Any suggestions?

[jdak]

Test the salinity of your FW to verify that the Ammonia/Nitrite=0

Is this a typo?

[Ajepalmer]

Test the salinity of your FW to verify that the Ammonia/Nitrite=0

Is this a typo?

yes, thank you. I will edit that.

[purplecandle]

I do not know if I would feed the puff during all of this...you may mess around and increase your ammonia...

If you are concerned about this puff being agitated...put a cave or something he can hide in into the container he will be in and you will probably reduce a great amount of stress..

This whole process seems so over complicated LOL...

I would have just drip acclimated him for a couple of hours using the water from the cycled SW tank...But I do not do much with marine..

Good luck, But I think you will be alright..GSPs are pretty sturdy

[Hilly]

How long would this marine tank have been set up for in preparation for this, im assuming a FOWLR setup?

[Ajepalmer]

How long would this marine tank have been set up for in preparation for this, im assuming a FOWLR setup?

yeah its a FOWLR. I am talking about a fully stable SW tank

[Hilly]

I agree with purplecandle, it does seem a little overthought.
Put puffer in container, begin drip acclimate over several hours, remove water when container starts getting too full, check SG every now and again and when correct SG is achieved bag fish back up, float bag for a while just in case temps are different and then release.

[Ajepalmer]

I agree with purplecandle, it does seem a little overthought.
Put puffer in container, begin drip acclimate over several hours, remove water when container starts getting too full, check SG every now and again and when correct SG is achieved bag fish back up, float bag for a while just in case temps are different and then release.

lol yours is simpler, but I like my idea

[J-P]

Sorry I was a little overly cautious when the tanks + bucket method was introduced. The main reason for it was that you could "step back" if the little guy was stressing out.

It is similar to a drip acclimatization but with the ability to reverse the process if necessary.

Also all the buckets are set at a specific gravity that increases up to marine. They can be diluted or have the SG increase as necessary.

In a single bucket.. wouldn't you need a floating hydrometer to read it constantly?

PP advised me against "ploping" a GSP into a marine tank. Nick has made the transfer in a few hours or less.

Not saying it is the best idea, but a very safe one.

[purplecandle]

Overly cautious is better than no caution

but it does seem like it will take a while..put a cave in for the little fella

[Ajepalmer]

Overly cautious is better than no caution

but it does seem like it will take a while..put a cave in for the little fella

Ok, a cave sounds like a good idea