I will be taking the journey back to college in a few days and my fish are coming with me. I'm curious to know what others think is the best way to transport fish. It is an 8 hour drive to where I am moving so I think it is probably safe to assume that my fish will be out of their aquarium for at least 10 hours. I am transporting 10 zebra danios, fairly hardy fish but I'm sure moving will be pretty stressful for them. I got the idea just yesterday to use a milk jug. Does anybody think this is a good idea or a bad idea? I figure it should work well considering it is very durable, can hold about a gallon of water, and has a lid. Any ideas and advice would be gladly accepted. Also I need to know how I can prepare my plants to be moved as well and what the best thing to transfer them in will be.
Moving and taking fish with me
- Thread starter danio_rerio_87
- Start date
Hi,
Just moved from Massachusetts to Florida. I moved them in a storage container. Can get at Walmart or anywhere. Get a good size one that will fit in the car with you. I cleaned it out with White Vinegar and water before I used it. Rinse it really well. No soap. The best part is that if you are to tired to set up tank....The filter can hang on the side of the storage tub for a night and you won't have to worry so much. Before I moved for MA to FL I had to stay at friend's house for 3 weeks. Didn't have tanks as they were being moved by movers. My fish lived in 2 storage tubs with the filters hanging off the sides. Of course the cats thought it was great!!!
Just moved from Massachusetts to Florida. I moved them in a storage container. Can get at Walmart or anywhere. Get a good size one that will fit in the car with you. I cleaned it out with White Vinegar and water before I used it. Rinse it really well. No soap. The best part is that if you are to tired to set up tank....The filter can hang on the side of the storage tub for a night and you won't have to worry so much. Before I moved for MA to FL I had to stay at friend's house for 3 weeks. Didn't have tanks as they were being moved by movers. My fish lived in 2 storage tubs with the filters hanging off the sides. Of course the cats thought it was great!!!
Man, I did a sucessful move 3 days ago. I had 10 African Cichlids, moved 200 miles, with about 10 buckets of water from my tank(5 gallons each covered with a lid) and a 5 gallon bucket with the fish in the cab of my CRAPPY uhaul in the Texas heat with NO AC. Well, the AC would go out every 5 mins for 10 mins, then would come back on. About half way through the drive, I thought I was going to lose them, because of the AC situation. I got to my destination with all my fish STILL alive, moved the tank in first, set it up, moved the water into the tank that was about 85-90 degress in temp already, started all filters and air going to circulate cooler air into the water, put an air stone in the bucket with the fish, about an hour later, all was well to put the fish in. To this day they are all still alive, I could NOT believe it. HERE IS MY SUGESTION:
1. Pack everything you own first, leaving the tank up
2. Save as much of the water as you can RIGHT before you decide to tank the tank down.
3. Take the fish out last.
4. Drive and pray
5. Do what I did when I got there!
Goodluck!
1. Pack everything you own first, leaving the tank up
2. Save as much of the water as you can RIGHT before you decide to tank the tank down.
3. Take the fish out last.
4. Drive and pray
5. Do what I did when I got there!
Goodluck!
Well good, these posts make me feel much better about the move. I'll be moving in the Texas heat as well but luckily I can count on the AC to work. I can't imagine traveling across Texas with an AC that cuts out in the kind of heat we have been having. Did either of you use some kind of stress reducing chemical or just load em up and go? I don't think I'll have to put off setting up my tank or even want to for that matter. I love to set up aquariums and will probably be very anxious to do it as soon as I get to my new apt. Thanks for the help! Anybody have advice on plants though? I've heard that plants are not very tolerable of these kinds of things.
I think the above idea is a good one. Make sure that the container is large enough though. I milk container will not work and you will most likely lose your fish. As stated at Wal-Mart you can get a Rubbermaid container for under $20. I would say to pick up some prime from a LFS and add it to the water every 2-3 hours or so. Only use about a half dose though. The reason for this is the ammonia will build up in the water and there is no filter to rid it, the prime will convert it to a safe ammonia at least for the ride. Also DO NOT feed your fish the day before or the day of the long trip. This will help reduce the waste in the container and keep the water alittle more cleaner for the ride.
Once you get there use a good amount of the water from the container then fill the rest with normal, treated tap water. Also try to keep some of the decor from the tank in the container as this will help the bactiria from dying. If you have a used filter pad also add that into the container.
Once you get there use a good amount of the water from the container then fill the rest with normal, treated tap water. Also try to keep some of the decor from the tank in the container as this will help the bactiria from dying. If you have a used filter pad also add that into the container.