Moving Fish long distances

Hi all,


I'm moving to a new place about six hours away and I'm planing the
logistics of moving my 46gal tank. For the live rock/sand I've decided
to purchase a plastic trash can from Home Depot and put as much live
rock, sand, and water as I can in it and load it right on the U-Haul
truck. For my corals and 'shrooms I plan on using a smaller bucket. My
only dilemma is with the few fish I have. My LFS said they would bag
them, fill the bag with O2, and the fish should be fine for two days or
so. My other option is to get a new bucket (with a lid) put the fish in
it and use a portable bubbler (like the type used to keep bait fresh)
and transport them in the cab of the truck up to my new place. Any
opinions on which one would cause less stress on the fish? Any better
ideas?

I am no expert on moving fish like that but I think two days would be
pushing it on the fish in a bag.. they might do ok for the 6 hour trip but I
would get them out of the bags and at least into buckets with an airstone as
soon as I could once arriving.. Maybe use a couple bucket with lids to bring
along water from your tank for them. Even when you have them shipped from
online stores it's overnight delivery and they usually don't spend much more
than 24 hours in the bags. If I am wrong someone please correct me!

Teeb

"Neil" wrote in message
...
Hi all,


I'm moving to a new place about six hours away and I'm planing the
logistics of moving my 46gal tank. For the live rock/sand I've decided
to purchase a plastic trash can from Home Depot and put as much live
rock, sand, and water as I can in it and load it right on the U-Haul
truck. For my corals and 'shrooms I plan on using a smaller bucket. My
only dilemma is with the few fish I have. My LFS said they would bag
them, fill the bag with O2, and the fish should be fine for two days or
so. My other option is to get a new bucket (with a lid) put the fish in
it and use a portable bubbler (like the type used to keep bait fresh)
and transport them in the cab of the truck up to my new place. Any
opinions on which one would cause less stress on the fish? Any better
ideas?

2 days oxygen big bag amquel/amquel plus/prime,will all be just dandy

but a bucket with a bubbler and amquel/prime ... is soo much better in a pinch they can
go weeks instead of days
if you have a submersable heater already pick up a chepo inverter and you can use heater &
normal airstone on normal air pump and keep the cost down though

--
--
richard reynolds



"Neil" wrote in message ...
Hi all,


I'm moving to a new place about six hours away and I'm planing the
logistics of moving my 46gal tank. For the live rock/sand I've decided
to purchase a plastic trash can from Home Depot and put as much live
rock, sand, and water as I can in it and load it right on the U-Haul
truck. For my corals and 'shrooms I plan on using a smaller bucket. My
only dilemma is with the few fish I have. My LFS said they would bag
them, fill the bag with O2, and the fish should be fine for two days or
so. My other option is to get a new bucket (with a lid) put the fish in
it and use a portable bubbler (like the type used to keep bait fresh)
and transport them in the cab of the truck up to my new place. Any
opinions on which one would cause less stress on the fish? Any better
ideas?

What you want is consistency. If you can get your LFS to bag and oxygenate the
bags, that is great. Put those bags in a styrofoam cooler to and drive like the
wind to your destination. If the cooler is in the vehicle with you, you can
even open the lid a little to let the A/C in, but be sure they don't get in any
direct sunlight. If it is in the Uhaul, you might need to put a couple of
frozen ice packs (available at Walmart for $1/each) on the top of the bags as
cold sinks downward) and seal the cooler. Wrap blankets around it to help
shield it from the summer heat.

At your destination, have another trashcan filled with newly mixed sal****er
ready so it is available to you as you need it. At least 25 gallons, it will be
handy. Bring your fish in as soon as you arrive, and inspect them. You can
open the bags, even pour them out into the cooler and add an airstone to the
water while the tank is being set up. If the water in the cooler and the water
in the tank are the same temperature, you won't need to acclimate your fish, and
can add them right to your tank.

Marc


Neil wrote:

Hi all,

I'm moving to a new place about six hours away and I'm planing the
logistics of moving my 46gal tank. For the live rock/sand I've decided
to purchase a plastic trash can from Home Depot and put as much live
rock, sand, and water as I can in it and load it right on the U-Haul
truck. For my corals and 'shrooms I plan on using a smaller bucket. My
only dilemma is with the few fish I have. My LFS said they would bag
them, fill the bag with O2, and the fish should be fine for two days or
so. My other option is to get a new bucket (with a lid) put the fish in
it and use a portable bubbler (like the type used to keep bait fresh)
and transport them in the cab of the truck up to my new place. Any
opinions on which one would cause less stress on the fish? Any better
ideas?

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
If the water in the cooler and the water
in the tank are the same temperature, you won't need to acclimate your
fish, and
can add them right to your tank.

And if the salinity is the same. When I move fish I treat them just as I
would if I were receiving new fish from an online store. They are shipped
via FedEx 2nd Day and I've never had a problem with them arriving dead, so 6
hours won't be a big deal. If they're going in the UHaul, just package them
as Marc suggested. Then set your tank up (fairly quickly) and acclimate
them all as if they were new fish. Make sure your sand and rock stays
submerged so you won't have any die-off. If you have too much die-off then
you could start another cycle which could kill all of your fish.

Marc Levenson wrote:

What you want is consistency. If you can get your LFS to bag and oxygenate the
bags, that is great. Put those bags in a styrofoam cooler to and drive like the
wind to your destination. If the cooler is in the vehicle with you, you can
even open the lid a little to let the A/C in, but be sure they don't get in any
direct sunlight. If it is in the Uhaul, you might need to put a couple of
frozen ice packs (available at Walmart for $1/each) on the top of the bags as
cold sinks downward) and seal the cooler. Wrap blankets around it to help
shield it from the summer heat.

At your destination, have another trashcan filled with newly mixed sal****er
ready so it is available to you as you need it. At least 25 gallons, it will be
handy. Bring your fish in as soon as you arrive, and inspect them. You can
open the bags, even pour them out into the cooler and add an airstone to the
water while the tank is being set up. If the water in the cooler and the water
in the tank are the same temperature, you won't need to acclimate your fish, and
can add them right to your tank.


The fish are going to stay up in the cab with the A/C. How long can a
bagged fish last for? To do this I'm going to have to have them bagged
the night before I leave.

While I am going to bring some 'spare' sal****er along (5-10gal. My tank
is 46gal empty) my plan is to save as much water from my tank as
possible. I'm thinking that between the large trash can holding the live
rock, my water containers (plastic 5 gal gas containers) and other misc.
buckets and what-not I can end up with almost all of my original water
when I set up at my destination.

One more question. Bioballs. What to do with them? I'm planning on just
putting them in the bucket with the live rock. Is that the best way to
transport them?

Thanks for the input.

Neil wrote:

Marc Levenson wrote:


What you want is consistency. If you can get your LFS to bag and oxygenate the
bags, that is great. Put those bags in a styrofoam cooler to and drive like the
wind to your destination. If the cooler is in the vehicle with you, you can
even open the lid a little to let the A/C in, but be sure they don't get in any
direct sunlight. If it is in the Uhaul, you might need to put a couple of
frozen ice packs (available at Walmart for $1/each) on the top of the bags as
cold sinks downward) and seal the cooler. Wrap blankets around it to help
shield it from the summer heat.

At your destination, have another trashcan filled with newly mixed sal****er
ready so it is available to you as you need it. At least 25 gallons, it will be
handy. Bring your fish in as soon as you arrive, and inspect them. You can
open the bags, even pour them out into the cooler and add an airstone to the
water while the tank is being set up. If the water in the cooler and the water
in the tank are the same temperature, you won't need to acclimate your fish, and
can add them right to your tank.




The fish are going to stay up in the cab with the A/C. How long can a
bagged fish last for? To do this I'm going to have to have them bagged
the night before I leave.

At least 48 hours. The best would be pure oxygen, 1/3 water, 2/3 air.
Don't do like some LFS and fill the bag to the very top with water or
"blow" in the bag to fill it with air (they are really putting CO2 in)
at the very least fill with air from an air pump.


While I am going to bring some 'spare' sal****er along (5-10gal. My tank
is 46gal empty) my plan is to save as much water from my tank as
possible. I'm thinking that between the large trash can holding the live
rock, my water containers (plastic 5 gal gas containers) and other misc.
buckets and what-not I can end up with almost all of my original water
when I set up at my destination.

One more question. Bioballs. What to do with them? I'm planning on just
putting them in the bucket with the live rock. Is that the best way to
transport them?

Don't laugh but what I would do is put them in something round and tough
that you can seal. Off the top of my head I can only come up with a
round container that cheese balls come in. The reason for this (at least
my dumb way of thinking) is the Bio balls are not used to being totally
submerged in water and if you do you may kill the good bacteria (I could
be wrong)......So I would put them in the container with some sal****er,
maybe 1/3rd, tape the lid on well and put it in the back of the truck so
it can roll around a little. This way they won't dry out and they won't
drown either.


Thanks for the input.

Neil wrote:

The fish are going to stay up in the cab with the A/C. How long can a
bagged fish last for? To do this I'm going to have to have them bagged
the night before I leave.

Is there some reason you can't move the tank the day before, basically focusing on
them and them alone? If you bag them the night before, you are adding at least 12
hours of extra time, which I wouldn't do whatsoever.

I know moving is stressful. I've done it and it is rough. But your tank is going to
be your only priority, and you need to let everyone know that very clearly. Nothing
should be in the way or need to be done when you arrive. You get out of your vehicle,
unlock the door and get it back up as swiftly as possible.

While I am going to bring some 'spare' sal****er along (5-10gal. My tank
is 46gal empty) my plan is to save as much water from my tank as
possible. I'm thinking that between the large trash can holding the live
rock, my water containers (plastic 5 gal gas containers) and other misc.
buckets and what-not I can end up with almost all of my original water
when I set up at my destination.

I'm sure that is your plan. I'm the same way. However, you'll have water the fish
came in that will look filthy, water in the trashcan from the LR that looks murky, and
the "muddy" water in your tank over the DSB will all add to your desire to not use
every last drop after all. Having a trashcan filled half way will go a long way in
getting your tank back up and running. And if anything happens in transit, like the
trashcan bursts, you've got water at your destination ready to use. And at the very
worst, you have extra sal****er ready for your next water change. Just keep it
covered with a powerhead to avoid stagnation. Plus you'll have another new trashcan.
That is why I have 4 now, instead of 1. hehehe

One more question. Bioballs. What to do with them? I'm planning on just
putting them in the bucket with the live rock. Is that the best way to
transport them?

You must be using a wet/dry filter. Is this a FO tank? If it is a reef, now's a
great time to consider getting rid of those nitrate-creating balls. You can keep them
wrapped in wetnewspaper (like when you buy LR at the LFS), in a trashbag in an ice
chest.

Marc


--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Marc Levenson wrote:

Neil wrote:

The fish are going to stay up in the cab with the A/C. How long can a
bagged fish last for? To do this I'm going to have to have them bagged
the night before I leave.

Is there some reason you can't move the tank the day before, basically focusing on
them and them alone? If you bag them the night before, you are adding at least 12
hours of extra time, which I wouldn't do whatsoever.

I'm moving from Miami (Fl) to the Tampa area (Lakeland) which is a four
hour trip when I'm doing 90mph in my car and will take at least one to
two hours more in a U-Haul truck. The LFS closes at 8pm and opens at
12pm so I either have to have them bagged the night before or around
noon the next day. The problem with bagging the fish the day of the move
is that I have people going with me to help move me in, and they need to
be back in Miami that night. This means I need to leave early in the
morning, around 6 am, hopefully get there about 1pm and have all the
heavy stuff inside by 5pm so my friends can drive back. Knowing that,
would you recommend the bucket/bubbler idea? I could pack the fish up
that morning and have them back in their home that afternoon.



I know moving is stressful. I've done it and it is rough. But your tank is going to
be your only priority, and you need to let everyone know that very clearly. Nothing
should be in the way or need to be done when you arrive. You get out of your vehicle,
unlock the door and get it back up as swiftly as possible.

That's why I'm taking people with me.



While I am going to bring some 'spare' sal****er along (5-10gal. My tank
is 46gal empty) my plan is to save as much water from my tank as
possible. I'm thinking that between the large trash can holding the live
rock, my water containers (plastic 5 gal gas containers) and other misc.
buckets and what-not I can end up with almost all of my original water
when I set up at my destination.

I'm sure that is your plan. I'm the same way. However, you'll have water the fish
came in that will look filthy, water in the trashcan from the LR that looks murky, and
the "muddy" water in your tank over the DSB will all add to your desire to not use
every last drop after all. Having a trashcan filled half way will go a long way in
getting your tank back up and running. And if anything happens in transit, like the
trashcan bursts, you've got water at your destination ready to use. And at the very
worst, you have extra sal****er ready for your next water change. Just keep it
covered with a powerhead to avoid stagnation. Plus you'll have another new trashcan.
That is why I have 4 now, instead of 1. hehehe





One more question. Bioballs. What to do with them? I'm planning on just
putting them in the bucket with the live rock. Is that the best way to
transport them?

You must be using a wet/dry filter. Is this a FO tank? If it is a reef, now's a
great time to consider getting rid of those nitrate-creating balls. You can keep them
wrapped in wetnewspaper (like when you buy LR at the LFS), in a trashbag in an ice
chest.

I have a soft coral or two, some mushrooms, and sponges but for the most
part it's FO. I don't have a lot of bioballs and have never had any real
problems with nitrate. I'll try the newspaper idea.

I'm moving from Miami (Fl) to the Tampa area (Lakeland) which is a four
hour trip when I'm doing 90mph in my car and will take at least one to
two hours more in a U-Haul truck. The LFS closes at 8pm and opens at
12pm so I either have to have them bagged the night before or around
noon the next day. The problem with bagging the fish the day of the move
is that I have people going with me to help move me in, and they need to
be back in Miami that night. This means I need to leave early in the
morning, around 6 am, hopefully get there about 1pm and have all the
heavy stuff inside by 5pm so my friends can drive back. Knowing that,
would you recommend the bucket/bubbler idea? I could pack the fish up
that morning and have them back in their home that afternoon.

ive transported fish over long distances before ive had no problems with them bagged for 2
days, if the bags are done right, Ive also used the bucket & dc bait bubbler dudads and
had mostly the same results (though bucket & bubbler dont fit on MC ) damn u-hawl
trucks are soooo slow got stuck behind one the other weekend going 35 on a 55

I have a soft coral or two, some mushrooms, and sponges but for the most
part it's FO. I don't have a lot of bioballs and have never had any real
problems with nitrate. I'll try the newspaper idea.

submerge them dont risk them drying out, being under water wont kill the bacteria, they
just dont break down doc's as well submerged as it takes lots of oxygen.

--
richard reynolds