transporting a tank

[julianbc]

Right now I go to school about 3 hours from home. I have a 10 gallon at home w/ only a few fish. I had the light set on an automatic timer and and I use an auto feeder and have my rents insepct it and such (water changes, make sure everything is working, auto feeder stays stocked). They seem to be doing fine w/ the set up I have even though I only come home on vacation. Im thinking of getting a 55 gallon to have as a community or cichlid tank. Would that require frequent monitoring or would I be ok w/ the autofeeder set up and the watch of my rents? I figured the 55 gallon might be safer for being away from it.

However, I got a 6 gallon eclipse tank for my bday and I want to do something cool w/ it. Not sure exactly what yet, but I considered moving my betta into it, or a specimen tank; im waiting to see the entries for the small tank contest for some inspiration. But my real question is, how dangerous is it to transport a tank? I am home for 5 weeks over x mas and would like to get my 6 gallon started. But since I hear smaller tanks are tempermental, I would like to maybe bring it back up to school w/ me. (or would it be ok at home w/ an autofeeder and me giving my rents some basic instructions?) How could I transport my 6 gallon tanks back to school? I really wanted a planted tank as well, just seeing how i could do it safely. Once I got the water to optimal levels of everything, would it be a dumb idea to just put the water in 6 gallon jugs (or at least a few gallons of the good water) for the trip? Also, could plants survive in just enough water in the tank for the routes during the trip? And I was thinking I could just maybe put the fish for the tank in bags and just make sure the bags were somewhere secure? It is only 3 hours, but the roads are semi windy but not too bad. Some of you may not like this, but I always just get a large soda cup and put my betta in it for the transit and he has been fine for ~10 trips total. Thanks in advance!

 

[patoloco]

Well, that's a road trpping beta!!! Ok, a 3 hour trip + loading + unloading and setting up may extend to a total of 6+ hours, so be ready.

If you have to move your tank, fisrt, make sure it's empty. Load it in the car in a soft cushioning surface (a thick blanket in the trunk will do) wrapped in plastic or clean paper. This will help in case it's hit by something, as well as hold the pieces if it brakes.

For fishies, you can place them in individual plastic bags inside a styrofoam container. This will prevent any sudden temp change. Do the same with plants, trying not to brake the leaves or roots. Give them enoguht water to be submerged. A goos thing is not giving food to the fish 2 days before the trip, so they will not poop inside the small bags. There is a Jungle Prodcut called BagBuddies, which reduces stress in fish while transporting, You could get some.

you filter media has to be kept wet. If it gets dry, you will loose your benefical bacteria and will need to start cycling all over. You can carry all the water if you think that tap water in your destination is TOO different from the one you had in the tank. I'd rather use fresh water from the new location. Remeber to dechlorinate it before adding it.

when you reach your destination, set the tank up an fill it. Let it run for about 2 hours and begin to aclimate the fishies to the new water.

 

[Holly9937]

If you've been moving the betta with no troubles so far, I might consider moving him to the 6g like you were considering. He would do really well in a planted tank, and you could always just get a tupperware container for everything during the road trips. I would not leave it in the tank if its glass.

As for a 55g tank, it is definately more stable than a 10g tank and would require less maintanence really, except for larger water changes %-wise. If your parents are up to the job, I say go for it!!~

 

[julianbc]

So I should also remove the biowheel and keep it in a wet something or other? Also, if I do put in fresh water from when I get to school, do I just put it in the tank, add the chemical to take the chlorine out and let it get to temp then add the fish? What possibel drastic differences could it possibly pose from home? I could possibly test the water in both locations and compare charecteristics. I have had several tanks but I have to admit I'm slightly less than maticulous about water quality. I have always just used the chlorine chemical stuff and put it in and I have never had a problem with sick fish. Also, I havent had any experience with planted plants. So its ok to just take them out of the substrate roots and all and put them in a bag, then re root them into the subrstrate when I get to school? I think the betta (w/ the company of some other stuff) would be good for the tank. But the thing is my girlfriend bought me the tank and said she did it so I could create something unique and interesting aside from my other tanks (not that bettas arent interesting) so I might do some other centerpeice fish or a small unique theme/community. But I won't rule out the betta idea.

 

[Holly9937]

So I should also remove the biowheel and keep it in a wet something or other?

Yes, that will keep your bacteria alive and well!

Also, if I do put in fresh water from when I get to school, do I just put it in the tank, add the chemical to take the chlorine out and let it get to temp then add the fish? .

Yes, and make sure you add the dechlorinator before you put the biowheel back on so that untreated water doesn't run through your filter. I would just try to get the temp. in the tank as close to what the fish is in and float him for a bit.

What possibel drastic differences could it possibly pose from home? I could possibly test the water in both locations and compare charecteristics.

The ph is the only thing I can think of that could be very different and have an effect. Either way, just add some of the tank water to the fishes bag/container for an hour or so and you should be good regardless.

Not sure about the plants, sorry