How long without a filter?

[NewObsession]

So it would seem the pond at my mother's house has a hole in the liner (can't really complain, it's lasted 16 years). So the company that originally put it in is coming to put in a new one. They said they can look after moving the fish and pumping out the water. They figure it's about a half day job. I have a couple of empty 75 gallon aquariums in the basement so the plan is to put them on her deck and when they empty the pond have them pump the pond water into the two tanks to fill them and then you can just move the fish without shocking them. I figure I'll put an air pump in both tanks to keep oxygen levels up. My question is whether I need to worry about a filter or not for the 4-5 hours they would be in the tanks. I lost count a while ago but we're probably talking about 10-20 4-6" goldfish and koi split between 2 75 gallon tanks.

[Big Mike]

If you have a couple cycled filters to add just to be safe I would,but if you dont I dont think 4 hours would hurt them. I would add air as you said.

[NewObsession]

thanks. Ya, I figured Air was a good idea as that's a lot of fish to support in a 75 gallon tank, especially in warm weather. I considered putting the pond filter into one of the tanks, but I think the space it woul dtake up and the current it would create would cause more problems than it solves.

[Kentucky Koi]

for less than 24 hours, you don't need a filter, just plenty of air. don't skimp, add a bunch of air, and don't feed them either.
-Eric

[Muske]

Ditto.

No food, lots of aeration, cover the tanks.

[bradlgt21]

What about trying to use something like Prime to make sure you don't get a ammonia or nitrite spike. Just for insurance if you don't have filters cycled. But you should be fine eithe way.

I heard prime neutralizes for 24 hours so you will be fine.

[LelandC]

for less than 24 hours, you don't need a filter, just plenty of air. don't skimp, add a bunch of air, and don't feed them either.
-Eric

what he said :)