Acclimating Loose Mushrooms

risubvet · 01-30-2002, 06:56 AM

I would really like to add some mushrooms to my 15g tank but my budget is pretty small. My LFS has mushroom rocks with 6-8 on each for $50-60, but when I was in there I noticed there are quite a few that have been moved to the sandbed loose. All the ones I was looking at were fully opened and appeared to be healthy to my untrained eye. I was going to ask the owner if I could possibly get a deal on 1 or 2 of these but wanted to know if it was a good idea and if so, what would be the best way to acclimate them to my tank. My tank is a 15g Eclipse with a 36w PC retro added.

Thanks,

John

Wrasse Man · 01-30-2002, 08:52 AM

risubvet,

You can acclimate them just like any other coral. I have heard of people using wedding veil netting or string or so on to get them to attach to a certain rock or spot, but I usually let mine wander to where they want to be (They will do that anyway, FWIW)

HTH

risubvet · 01-30-2002, 09:31 AM

Thanks for the response. What is the best way to acclimate corals? This is my first attempt at adding any to my tank and I don't want to kill it.

Mrs Smith · 01-30-2002, 03:09 PM

Our method uses a drip line. Our "1st" LFS's owner uses them, and that's where we witnessed it first used. The main idea, is to use airline tubing with a valve on the end, so that it just drips (at your desired rate) Stick other end in main tank, set up siphon, and allow to drip slowly for X hours. I usually drip corals and fish for 2 hours, inverts for much longer. The idea is to slowly get them used to both temperature and the water. You do have to pour off water every so often unless you have a large container (I prop bags up in pitchers) or don't mind saltwater all over the floor. But heck, that's why we have shop-vacs.

The other mentod I know of says that you add 1c of your water to the bag they came in every 15 minutes or so, still going slowly.

Also, don't add the water that was in the bag. Most corals won't care if they are out of the water briefly. (Sponges on the other hand, do care.)
HTH

Big Dave · 01-30-2002, 03:41 PM

Hey John-

I agree with the acclimation methods mentioned already, but what I was concerned with was the price. Maybe I've just found a good LFS but $50-60 sounds a little high for those rocks. The LFS has a bunch of nice rocks with shrooms(8-12) and they always go for $25-40. Also, once in a while I can barter with them. I ask if they will take, say, $30 for the $40 shroom and he usually let it go or counter offers. Give that a try and see how it works. Being a frequent customer probably helps in my case too! Goodluck!

-Big Dave

Emprr_Angl · 01-30-2002, 04:39 PM

>Also, don't add the water that was in the bag. Most corals won't >care if they are out of the water briefly. (Sponges on the other >hand, do care.)
>

Unless the water is from Tropicorium

risubvet · 01-31-2002, 07:38 AM

Thanks for the responses. I also thought the price seemed high from checking out MO companies that's why I am hesitant to buy the whole rock. My assumption is that he doesn't have a local source and is making up his shipping costs.

I have just recently set-up my tank and have been making the majority of my purchases at this one LFS trying to get to know the people who work there, and hopefully they will start to recognize me as well.

Hopefully they are willing to make a deal.

Thanks again,

John