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What kind of nets to you have for dipping the lion out tomorrow? Sorry, off topic, but if there is a choice, there are some that are better than others.
That's what I would do, but you gotta do what you feel most comfortable doing. It's not that acclimation isn't the way to go, because it is. Let me confuse you even more... the benefits you hear about acclimation are 100% true. So why don't I recommend it? I prioritize importance. Damage from ammonia can be permanent. This damage can greatly shorten their lives or kill them outright. Every healthy fish should be able to handle a little extra stress that would come about from an abrupt change in environments. Sure, this drastic change brings about stress, but on the flip-side, you'll be removing the stress that comes with burning of tissue from toxic substances. So, either way, stress will be present, one way just causes permanent damage.
Studies show that needed acclimation times cannot be measured in minutes or hours, but in days, weeks and months...... and sometimes never. So, we're not acclimating them at all and are just prolonging their time in nasty water for something that isn't going to happen anyways. I took four weeks acclimating my lion from his 28g home of 1.022 to the 210g of 1.026. That's because he was in good water, moving to good water. It wasn't causing him any stress to be where he was, which was his home for the past 2 years. Does that make sense what I'm trying to say? I'm choosing the lessor of two evils.
You are not going to be able to temp acclimate him. If your fish is packed anything like mine are, the bag will barely fit in a 5g bucket, to stand it upright. I sit the bag in there, because it's a lot of water, which makes it easier to tip over. As I cut away each layer of plastic, I clamp it to the side of the 5g bucket, so it can't slide down within. It's like an extra hand to hold open the bag with me. If that bag slips, you'll try to stop it... poke. If you lose your grip, you'll again try to catch it.... poke. Make sure you have the bag arranged so that you can get the net easily into and out of the bag. It will reduce the risk of entangling him in the material. Go with the coarse net. If you have different sizes, choose the one that fits inside the bag, even if it seems too small for the fish. I have "lionfish nets" and they cannot get stuck in, but with all other nets that is a risk. I've been there and it isn't fun.
I so hope you have a wonderful experience!
It's nerve-racking leaving for work. Having a baby then just walk away for few hours.