tips on transporting fish & tank

[Blinky]

Dont bother with the old tank water too much. Theres nothing good in it.

The reason I suggested that was just in case the new water has different chemistry - if we make this move, where we're going has VERY different water, so I'll take as much water as I can to make the change over more gradual and avoid shocking the fish. I completely agree that if the water has similar properties, it's not worth transporting a car full of old tank water

 

[Kasakato]

Great point! Hmm, maybe test the water at the new loaction just to be safe?

 

[Blinky]

Here is a simple idea for you. Cardboard boxes and garbage bags.

What a smart idea! Also, I don't know about other stores, but the store I work in receives their fish in large styrofoam crates (~24" x 18" x 12"). I've seen them give them to customers who are buying large/many fish - I imagine if you ask, they'd be happy to keep one or two for you to use on moving day.

 

[jjanoch]

lots of great advice, and the reason why I came to you all.

Thanks,

 

[AikidoGuy]

For transporting fish:
I use a bucket with a lid (I use 7gallon and 2.5gal buckets depending on the size and/or quantity of fish) Home depot and Lowes sells both sizes at a resonable price.

Line the buckets with a heavy duty garbage bag. I use landscapers bags as they are a bit stronger and resist holes fro fin rays and biting fish. You line the buckets because some fish will run rings around the bucket scatching up their eyes, fins and scales. The bags reduce that greatly.


Fill the bucket Half way with tank water, ad the fish, and put the lid on tightly. some people poke holes in the lid and some add battery powered air pumps. I myself do not poke holes for short trips as id prefer to keep in as much heat as I could when I do not have heat packs(which you should use on long trips)

When you get home open the lid and start adding water from YOUR tanks or tank they are going into, into the buckets to accliment them to the water type and temp. I usually add water every 5 minutes until the bucket is full.

ASSUMING YOU KNOW THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT IS CLEAN AND HAS NO MEDS OR SICKNESSES IN THE TANK RECENTLY.

Transporting tank:
Empty it. Unless its REALLY dirty dont scrub it clean. leave it alone.

Transporting gravel:
Again with those buckets. I fill them up half way with gravel and them add water from the tank so it just covers the gravel to keep it wet and warm.
When you get home add the gravel to the tank.

transporting Filters:
with just a basic power filter (ie. AC or Emperor) I just empty them out, again rinse them with tank water. Same for sponges, rinse them out with tank water. Filter pads like in the emperors I throw out and replace with new ones. put on the tank and pre-fill with YOUR tank water.

Now with tank in place, gravel in, and filters setup. Fill the tank with new water as close to the temp of the water IN YOUR BUCKETS as you can. Put in your heater in and turn it on. give it time to get the tank up the the temperature of the water IN YOUR BUCKETS.

Add fish and slowly increase the heater temp until it where you want it over the next few hours.

Give it a week or two and do a good gravel cleaning and water change and hopefully you will only have to go through a small cycle if any at all.

 

[tbone]

I may need to move in the near future as well........but it will be much further....like 5 hours will thry last that long in unairated water? untemperature controlled?

 

[AikidoGuy]

There are battery powered air pumps. They generally cost uner $20. I have one myself. It came with 3' of tubing and an air stione. For temp control. We use those hand warmer/heat packs. They are like $1 and last something like 12 hours. Any outdoors shop, bait shop, Sports Authority, Wal-mart type stores carry them. Tape 1 or 2 of them to the outside bottom of the bucket and it will stay warm. :dance2:

 

[jjanoch]

Thanks again everyone....and it does look like this is happening soon. I am now the proud owner of a 75g tank (quite a leap from my current 20g). It is already stocked with about 12 Angelfish and 1 Pleco...plus plenty of live plants. I guess the Angels has already given birth in this setup, so they must be happy!

Here's hoping that all your advice, and my elbow grease will make their transition to my home a good one. Looks like this will happen either 14-15 or 21-22 weekends. I will give an update at that time.

 

[pitufo]

I'm gonna be moving my 33gal tank at the end of the month as well.. I have a question about the gravel though.. In my filter box I have the charcoal media and the foam and also a bunch of these gear-shaped or star shaped things that provide a lot of surface area for the bacteria to grow on. They work great. But I've noticed my gravel is really dirty, because every time I do a water-change/gravel vacuuming there is a lot of debris that gets thrown up and clouds the tank. Should I wash my gravel when I move? And do I have to remove it or can I move the tank with a little water in it and the gravel too?
Thanks.

 

[judgemax]

ok i usually use the same routine as always ...it consists of using a twelve volt converter and a five to ten suction cup filter i usually have the person i am getting the fish from buying one of the single filters for this unit and placing it behind their filter for three days prior, then i use a depending on size of fish container apropriate with glad press and seal sran wrap...i will also use half tank water and half pre treated water i carried from my house that way if the params are different it isint as much of a shock....i havent lost a fish during transportation and some have been as long as five hour drives ...so good luck! but remember if you are traveling during hot weather take a small cooler with frozen pop bottles aor cold weather use a heater in the converter to...the converter is the best thing i have forund and all of the stuff including the extra filter unit get used for other things so they were all great and fairly inexpensive purchases