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The Drip Method Process For Peppermint Shrimp Acclimation

Many people are surprised when they put a peppermint shrimp in their marine aquarium, to only find them dead within a few hours.

While all aquatic creatures are sensitive to water chemistry changes, peppermint shrimp will die from sudden changes in water parameters.

Peppermint shrimp are very sensitive to pH changes, ammonia, and nitrites. Some of the most exciting marine creatures are peppermint shrimp! If they’re put in the aquarium in the correct way. However, peppermint shrimp need to be given time to acclimate to a new environment. The acclimation phase is very stressful, which is it’s important to take all the appropriate steps to make the process smooth and simple. Failing to take the process of acclimating seriously, there’s a high and very real, chance that your peppermint shrimp won’t survive. So, what is the best way to acclimate a peppermint shrimp?

Whilst there are several methods you can use to acclimate a peppermint shrimp; it’s strongly recommended to use the drip method. It’s proven to be the best and most effective approach to ease the transition for creatures as delicate as the peppermint shrimp. The drip method normally only takes a few hours if you follow the instructions carefully.

Why Acclimating A Peppermint Shrimp Properly Is Important?

The sudden change in atmosphere is extremely stressful for shrimp. If you speed up the process and add a lot of your tank’s water, it could lead to shock. With the drip method of acclimation, you’ll give your peppermint shrimp the best chance to adapt better to their new water parameters and new climate. Of course, this won’t get rid of all the potential stress, although it does significantly reduce all the potential risks that come with acclimation.

Preparing The Acclimation Process

To give a peppermint shrimp the smoothest acclimation, it helps to have things planned in advance to ensure you are prepared and ready. This means planning the day of purchase or, if you’re buying online, having a flexible schedule in preparation for their arrival so that you can dedicate the necessary time to the process. The drip method of acclimation will take at least 2 hours; however, it could potentially take longer if it’s your first time using this method.

Starting The Acclimation Process

There’re a few things that should be prepared before beginning the acclimating process. Simple things that help to reduce stress when acclimating a peppermint shrimp include:

  • Turn the lights off the tank
  • Don’t have bright light aimed directly into the transport box
  • Open one side of the transport box to allow some light in and leave for 5 minutes
  • Slowly open the box over a period of 5-10 minutes to fully acclimate the peppermint shrimp to the light of the room

Equipment
For the process of acclimation, you’ll need the following equipment:

  • Scissors
  • A bucket
  • Clothes peg
  • Airline tube

Using The Drip Method

The drip method approach is considered to be more advanced. It’s normally used for vulnerable inhabitants like corals, starfish, and of course peppermint shrimp.

IMPORTANT NOTE: DON’T ALLOW ANY WATER FROM THE TRANSPORT BAG TO ENTER YOUR TANK!

  1. Get a bucket or container, and ensure it’s thoroughly washed and rinsed before using it.
  2. Use the scissors to cut all the transport bag and empty all the water and peppermint shrimp from the transport bags into the bucket or container.
  3. Use a clothes peg to secure an airline hose to the rim of the tank.
  4. Tie a loose knot into the airline, then suck on the hose end nearest the bucket to start the flow of water from the tank.
  5. The tightness of the knot will be used to set the drip-rate. Aim for around 2-4 drips per second. The looser the knot, the faster the drip-rate.
  6. Allow the water height in the bucket or container to double, then remove 50% of the water and remove it.
  7. Repeat step 6 for 40-60 minutes.
  8. You can then a net to remove the peppermint shrimp from the bucket and slowly place them into the tank.

Remember, always follow the acclimation procedure even if you think the new arrival could be dead. Some peppermint shrimps can appear as though they’re dead when they arrive and will usually revive after the drip method mentioned above is followed correctly.

Important Facts
You should never place an air stone into the transport bag when acclimating your new arrival. Doing this would increase the pH of the shipping water too quickly and expose your new arrival to a lethal amount of ammonia.

As invertebrates are more sensitive than fish to salinity changes, it’s important to acclimate invertebrates to a specific gravity of around 1.023-1.025 to prevent severe stress.

Keep an eye on the new tank arrival to make sure, your new tank mate isn’t chased or harassed by any of the existing tank mates.

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