Moving 1,300 Miles with Fish (Long! I need help!)

Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida. I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10 hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size

I have Googled endlessly the last few days and am still not sure of
the best way to do this and frankly, am scared and nervous as hell to
undertake this. This is what I have decided upon so far but
desperately need advice from the experts he

Do not feed for 24-48 hours prior to trip, then not for 24 hours after
the trip. Should I go with the 48? This will be a total of 5 days
not eating.

Prior to move change 20% of water daily for a few days. I suppose
this is to make sure the water is extra clean.

I know to siphon out just the top water and use that to transport the
fish. I will also be taking lots of water with me for the first few
water changes. But, I am not sure what to put the fish in. I have a
friend at the LFS and she might be able to help me with styro boxes
and even possibly some oxygen, but 2 days in this set up seems like a
lot. I was thinking of rubbermaid containers small enough that I
could place them in a styro cooler. I have already purchased 2
battery operated air pumps for the Platies and the Danio. I was
thinking of a separate container each for the snails (due to the
waste), separate for each Betta, the Danio alone and the Platies
alone. I was hoping to get containers large enough (2 gallons?) so no
water changes are needed on the road. One site recommends ammo ships
or adding amquel. Is this needed? Do I shut the cooler tightly or
leave it ajar a bit for air circulation? If top is left open for air
how will it keep the temp. stable?

Temperature! It will be hot leaving Florida and probably cool down
just a little as we go North. I am worried about fluctuating temps. I
will monitor the temps. but what actions can be taken in cases of
extreme hot or cold? They will need to travel in the cargo area of
the truck, but right by the cab door. The cab and truck connect by a
sliding door I can keep open so they are not subjected to the stuffy
interior of the moving truck. Should we keep air conditioning
blasting? I have no idea how the temp. thing will play itself out.

As far as transporting the tanks, (10 gallon and 2 2 1/2 gallons) I
was thinking to drain most of the water but keeping the gravel, silk
plants and ornaments moist. I am not sure the best way to transport
the filters and could use some giudance on that. Put the cartridges on
a plastic bag with some tank water? Let it float in the bucket with
the ornaments? I have 2 Red Sea mini power filters, a mini Penguin
Bio-Wheel, a sponge filter and an internal filter. Would running
those in the hotel room overnight help keep the biofilters going
somewhat? I could get containers that I could just hang the filters
over them during the hotel stay. I know I will experience a mini
spike upon resetting everything back up and am prepared to test water
and handle it safely.

I hope I didn't forget anything and would Greatly appreciate any and
all help/advise and input. As if the stress of Moving isn't
enough...and I am the biggest worryer there is! I just want to do
right by my fish and the thought of them slowly suffering for 2
days...too much for me to even think about.

Thank You!

"Lady Samsara" wrote in message
om...
Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida. I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10 hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size


When I move, I usually give away my fish to friends or whatever LFS I see
doing a good job with their tanks. I have enough to look after without
dotting over and worrying about fish, setting up tanks and cycling.
There is usually enough moving details to keep me busy. Tanks get set up
about 3-6 months after arrival. That's just what I usually do.

Otherwise, a styrofoam box, lined with plastic, creatures divided into 3
or 4 sealed bags (minimize jostling). Don't feed for 24 hours before.
Leaving the bags closed will keep the fish in a low metabolic state.
Squirt in a bit of Ammo-lock. With your fish-load, I would not be
surprised if they made the entire trip without you ever opening the box
or the bags. Some people travel with Bettas in bowls. You just have to
figure out how to keep the water from jostling around too much, and the
bowls from tipping over.

Good luck with the emergency and the move. Hope to see you back in the
ng soon afterwards.
--
www.NetMax.tk


snip

Thank You!

Temperature! It will be hot leaving Florida and probably cool down
just a little as we go North. I am worried about fluctuating temps. I
will monitor the temps. but what actions can be taken in cases of
extreme hot or cold? They will need to travel in the cargo area of
the truck, but right by the cab door. The cab and truck connect by a
sliding door I can keep open so they are not subjected to the stuffy
interior of the moving truck. Should we keep air conditioning
blasting? I have no idea how the temp. thing will play itself out.

To keep the temperature up, I had a friend who moved fish from the UK to the
continent. He used a fermentation pad used to put demi-johns on when brewing
home made wine, They're reasonably inexpensive from anywhere that sells
brewing equipment. he put this in the box, and no worries at all.

Good luck

A

On 12 May 2004 08:31:47 -0700, (Lady
Samsara) wrote:

Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida. I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10 hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size

I gather these fish are special to you. The easy thing to suggest is
to give the fish away, but I imagine you have thought of and rejected
this idea.


I have Googled endlessly the last few days and am still not sure of
the best way to do this and frankly, am scared and nervous as hell to
undertake this. This is what I have decided upon so far but
desperately need advice from the experts he

Do not feed for 24-48 hours prior to trip, then not for 24 hours after
the trip. Should I go with the 48? This will be a total of 5 days
not eating.

Fish can live without food for long periods, weeks. I saw a tank in
an office and the woman said she had never fed the two fish in 6
months. It was at a school and the tank had been in a classroom.
The teacher didn't give the woman any food and she didn't buy any.
I gave her some food, but the fact is the fish had survived probably
on algae for 6 months, so a few days is not a major problem.

A few days of togetherness should not be a problem, except the Bettas.
I would ship them in separately in the 2 gallon tanks.


Prior to move change 20% of water daily for a few days. I suppose
this is to make sure the water is extra clean.

I know to siphon out just the top water and use that to transport the
fish. I will also be taking lots of water with me for the first few
water changes. But, I am not sure what to put the fish in. I have a
friend at the LFS and she might be able to help me with styro boxes
and even possibly some oxygen, but 2 days in this set up seems like a
lot. I was thinking of rubbermaid containers small enough that I
could place them in a styro cooler. I have already purchased 2
battery operated air pumps for the Platies and the Danio. I was
thinking of a separate container each for the snails (due to the
waste), separate for each Betta, the Danio alone and the Platies
alone. I was hoping to get containers large enough (2 gallons?) so no
water changes are needed on the road. One site recommends ammo ships
or adding amquel. Is this needed? Do I shut the cooler tightly or
leave it ajar a bit for air circulation? If top is left open for air
how will it keep the temp. stable?


I would be tempted to ship the fish in the tanks. I would leave half
the water. Even the 10 gallon would be moveable, about 40 pounds if
half full.
..
With the bettas having their own 2 gallon tanks and the rest in the
10. After moving the 10 gallon to the truck, I would add a couple
more new gallons into it. I would put some kind of screen over the
top to prevent an anxious jump out of the tanks. Air can't hurt.


Temperature! It will be hot leaving Florida and probably cool down
just a little as we go North. I am worried about fluctuating temps. I
will monitor the temps. but what actions can be taken in cases of
extreme hot or cold? They will need to travel in the cargo area of
the truck, but right by the cab door. The cab and truck connect by a
sliding door I can keep open so they are not subjected to the stuffy
interior of the moving truck. Should we keep air conditioning
blasting? I have no idea how the temp. thing will play itself out.


June would be a good month for such a move, I would guess. I presume
you would leave early morning. Going north daytime temperatures will
get cooler with luck. I think your biggest temperature problem will
be overnight temperatures. Perhaps you could have a small electric
heater connected with an extension cord to the motel room or motel
outside outlet.

As far as transporting the tanks, (10 gallon and 2 2 1/2 gallons) I
was thinking to drain most of the water but keeping the gravel, silk
plants and ornaments moist. I am not sure the best way to transport
the filters and could use some giudance on that. Put the cartridges on
a plastic bag with some tank water? Let it float in the bucket with
the ornaments? I have 2 Red Sea mini power filters, a mini Penguin
Bio-Wheel, a sponge filter and an internal filter. Would running
those in the hotel room overnight help keep the biofilters going
somewhat? I could get containers that I could just hang the filters
over them during the hotel stay. I know I will experience a mini
spike upon resetting everything back up and am prepared to test water
and handle it safely.

I would put the cartridges and bio wheel in the 10 gallon tank. I
would weigh them down to keep them from floating with the motion.


I hope I didn't forget anything and would Greatly appreciate any and
all help/advise and input. As if the stress of Moving isn't
enough...and I am the biggest worryer there is! I just want to do
right by my fish and the thought of them slowly suffering for 2
days...too much for me to even think about.

Thank You!

I have moved fish in their tanks before. It can be done. Tanks are
pretty rugged and are stronger with water in them than empty. The
water keeps the glass pressed outward against the frame. If the
driving causes sloshing, so what?

When you have time after settling, please update us. Lots of people
are faced with travel problems. Your experience will help others.

"Dick" wrote in message
...
On 12 May 2004 08:31:47 -0700, (Lady
Samsara) wrote:

Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida. I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10 hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size

snip
I would be tempted to ship the fish in the tanks. I would leave half
the water. Even the 10 gallon would be moveable, about 40 pounds if
half full.
.
With the bettas having their own 2 gallon tanks and the rest in the
10. After moving the 10 gallon to the truck, I would add a couple
more new gallons into it. I would put some kind of screen over the
top to prevent an anxious jump out of the tanks. Air can't hurt.

I have moved fish in their tanks before. It can be done. Tanks are
pretty rugged and are stronger with water in them than empty. The
water keeps the glass pressed outward against the frame. If the
driving causes sloshing, so what?

The usual advice is to never transport all glass tanks with water in
them. The have very little strength to resist twist while being carried.
If you were doing this, put them on a solid sheet of wood as a carrier.
All glass tanks are definitely not stronger with water. I have no
experience moving framed tanks with water. Visit your LFS and mooch some
fish bags. You don't really need to find out how water you can slosh, at
least not with fish in there going up & down for 1300 miles ;~) jmo.
--
www.NetMax.tk
snip

Dick wrote in message . ..
On 12 May 2004 08:31:47 -0700, (Lady
Samsara) wrote:

Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida. I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10 hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size

I gather these fish are special to you. The easy thing to suggest is
to give the fish away, but I imagine you have thought of and rejected
this idea.


I have Googled endlessly the last few days and am still not sure of
the best way to do this and frankly, am scared and nervous as hell to
undertake this. This is what I have decided upon so far but
desperately need advice from the experts he

Do not feed for 24-48 hours prior to trip, then not for 24 hours after
the trip. Should I go with the 48? This will be a total of 5 days
not eating.

Fish can live without food for long periods, weeks. I saw a tank in
an office and the woman said she had never fed the two fish in 6
months. It was at a school and the tank had been in a classroom.
The teacher didn't give the woman any food and she didn't buy any.
I gave her some food, but the fact is the fish had survived probably
on algae for 6 months, so a few days is not a major problem.

A few days of togetherness should not be a problem, except the Bettas.
I would ship them in separately in the 2 gallon tanks.


Prior to move change 20% of water daily for a few days. I suppose
this is to make sure the water is extra clean.

I know to siphon out just the top water and use that to transport the
fish. I will also be taking lots of water with me for the first few
water changes. But, I am not sure what to put the fish in. I have a
friend at the LFS and she might be able to help me with styro boxes
and even possibly some oxygen, but 2 days in this set up seems like a
lot. I was thinking of rubbermaid containers small enough that I
could place them in a styro cooler. I have already purchased 2
battery operated air pumps for the Platies and the Danio. I was
thinking of a separate container each for the snails (due to the
waste), separate for each Betta, the Danio alone and the Platies
alone. I was hoping to get containers large enough (2 gallons?) so no
water changes are needed on the road. One site recommends ammo ships
or adding amquel. Is this needed? Do I shut the cooler tightly or
leave it ajar a bit for air circulation? If top is left open for air
how will it keep the temp. stable?


I would be tempted to ship the fish in the tanks. I would leave half
the water. Even the 10 gallon would be moveable, about 40 pounds if
half full.
.
With the bettas having their own 2 gallon tanks and the rest in the
10. After moving the 10 gallon to the truck, I would add a couple
more new gallons into it. I would put some kind of screen over the
top to prevent an anxious jump out of the tanks. Air can't hurt.


Temperature! It will be hot leaving Florida and probably cool down
just a little as we go North. I am worried about fluctuating temps. I
will monitor the temps. but what actions can be taken in cases of
extreme hot or cold? They will need to travel in the cargo area of
the truck, but right by the cab door. The cab and truck connect by a
sliding door I can keep open so they are not subjected to the stuffy
interior of the moving truck. Should we keep air conditioning
blasting? I have no idea how the temp. thing will play itself out.


June would be a good month for such a move, I would guess. I presume
you would leave early morning. Going north daytime temperatures will
get cooler with luck. I think your biggest temperature problem will
be overnight temperatures. Perhaps you could have a small electric
heater connected with an extension cord to the motel room or motel
outside outlet.

As far as transporting the tanks, (10 gallon and 2 2 1/2 gallons) I
was thinking to drain most of the water but keeping the gravel, silk
plants and ornaments moist. I am not sure the best way to transport
the filters and could use some giudance on that. Put the cartridges on
a plastic bag with some tank water? Let it float in the bucket with
the ornaments? I have 2 Red Sea mini power filters, a mini Penguin
Bio-Wheel, a sponge filter and an internal filter. Would running
those in the hotel room overnight help keep the biofilters going
somewhat? I could get containers that I could just hang the filters
over them during the hotel stay. I know I will experience a mini
spike upon resetting everything back up and am prepared to test water
and handle it safely.

I would put the cartridges and bio wheel in the 10 gallon tank. I
would weigh them down to keep them from floating with the motion.


I hope I didn't forget anything and would Greatly appreciate any and
all help/advise and input. As if the stress of Moving isn't
enough...and I am the biggest worryer there is! I just want to do
right by my fish and the thought of them slowly suffering for 2
days...too much for me to even think about.

Thank You!

I have moved fish in their tanks before. It can be done. Tanks are
pretty rugged and are stronger with water in them than empty. The
water keeps the glass pressed outward against the frame. If the
driving causes sloshing, so what?

When you have time after settling, please update us. Lots of people
are faced with travel problems. Your experience will help others.

Hello and my sincerest thanks to all for the responses. Yes, these
fish are special to me. My Bettas and snails I could never give up.
The Platy babies are the only ones I am not really attached to and
would entertain giving back to the pet store. But if I am taking
everything else, these 3 additional are no problem.

I did think of moving them right in the tanks if I could stabilize
them...especially the Bettas. I wasn't sure about the 10 gallon, that
I was afraid might crack. I did move it 3/4 empty when I moved here
(creatures inside) but that was only a 1/2 hour move. But the bag
transport, as NetMax suggested, did come up on quite a few sites, as
well as the Rubbermaid containers. Too bad there isn't an "Official"
Site on the "right" way to do this...lol. The fact that there are so
many choices is what makes it so hard. I suppose whatever keeps the
temperature as stable as possible is the right choice. I am thinking
more of the tanks getting hot than cold, especially where they will
need to stay in the truck. Again, not sure how that will play
out...it's an unknown.

(NetMax says
Otherwise, a styrofoam box, lined with plastic, creatures divided into
3
or 4 sealed bags (minimize jostling). Don't feed for 24 hours before.
Leaving the bags closed will keep the fish in a low metabolic state.

Hello NetMax and thank you for your help. Out of all the respected
people here you are right up there and I am delighted to have your
input. By a strofoam box, do you mean the transport boxes, or a
cooler? A cooler with the bags set inside? How do you fill them with
air...do you just loosely bunch up the top and rubberband them?
Ziploc freezer bags? Should I open and redo with fresh air at
intervals or just leave them as is? Do I use the air pumps for the
Danio and the Platies or they will be fine? BTW, I went to your site
last night...Wow! I have bookmarked it and will go back when I have
more time to enjoy it. It looks great!

Again, my thanks to all for the help! I think once I get this fish
business settled in my mind the move will be a lot less stressful for
me!

"Lady Samsara" wrote in message
om...
Dick wrote in message
. ..
On 12 May 2004 08:31:47 -0700, (Lady
Samsara) wrote:

Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida. I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10 hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size

I gather these fish are special to you. The easy thing to suggest is
to give the fish away, but I imagine you have thought of and rejected
this idea.


I have Googled endlessly the last few days and am still not sure of
the best way to do this and frankly, am scared and nervous as hell to
undertake this. This is what I have decided upon so far but
desperately need advice from the experts he

Do not feed for 24-48 hours prior to trip, then not for 24 hours after
the trip. Should I go with the 48? This will be a total of 5 days
not eating.

Fish can live without food for long periods, weeks. I saw a tank in
an office and the woman said she had never fed the two fish in 6
months. It was at a school and the tank had been in a classroom.
The teacher didn't give the woman any food and she didn't buy any.
I gave her some food, but the fact is the fish had survived probably
on algae for 6 months, so a few days is not a major problem.

A few days of togetherness should not be a problem, except the Bettas.
I would ship them in separately in the 2 gallon tanks.


Prior to move change 20% of water daily for a few days. I suppose
this is to make sure the water is extra clean.

I know to siphon out just the top water and use that to transport the
fish. I will also be taking lots of water with me for the first few
water changes. But, I am not sure what to put the fish in. I have a
friend at the LFS and she might be able to help me with styro boxes
and even possibly some oxygen, but 2 days in this set up seems like a
lot. I was thinking of rubbermaid containers small enough that I
could place them in a styro cooler. I have already purchased 2
battery operated air pumps for the Platies and the Danio. I was
thinking of a separate container each for the snails (due to the
waste), separate for each Betta, the Danio alone and the Platies
alone. I was hoping to get containers large enough (2 gallons?) so no
water changes are needed on the road. One site recommends ammo ships
or adding amquel. Is this needed? Do I shut the cooler tightly or
leave it ajar a bit for air circulation? If top is left open for air
how will it keep the temp. stable?


I would be tempted to ship the fish in the tanks. I would leave half
the water. Even the 10 gallon would be moveable, about 40 pounds if
half full.
.
With the bettas having their own 2 gallon tanks and the rest in the
10. After moving the 10 gallon to the truck, I would add a couple
more new gallons into it. I would put some kind of screen over the
top to prevent an anxious jump out of the tanks. Air can't hurt.


Temperature! It will be hot leaving Florida and probably cool down
just a little as we go North. I am worried about fluctuating temps. I
will monitor the temps. but what actions can be taken in cases of
extreme hot or cold? They will need to travel in the cargo area of
the truck, but right by the cab door. The cab and truck connect by a
sliding door I can keep open so they are not subjected to the stuffy
interior of the moving truck. Should we keep air conditioning
blasting? I have no idea how the temp. thing will play itself out.


June would be a good month for such a move, I would guess. I presume
you would leave early morning. Going north daytime temperatures will
get cooler with luck. I think your biggest temperature problem will
be overnight temperatures. Perhaps you could have a small electric
heater connected with an extension cord to the motel room or motel
outside outlet.

As far as transporting the tanks, (10 gallon and 2 2 1/2 gallons) I
was thinking to drain most of the water but keeping the gravel, silk
plants and ornaments moist. I am not sure the best way to transport
the filters and could use some giudance on that. Put the cartridges on
a plastic bag with some tank water? Let it float in the bucket with
the ornaments? I have 2 Red Sea mini power filters, a mini Penguin
Bio-Wheel, a sponge filter and an internal filter. Would running
those in the hotel room overnight help keep the biofilters going
somewhat? I could get containers that I could just hang the filters
over them during the hotel stay. I know I will experience a mini
spike upon resetting everything back up and am prepared to test water
and handle it safely.

I would put the cartridges and bio wheel in the 10 gallon tank. I
would weigh them down to keep them from floating with the motion.


I hope I didn't forget anything and would Greatly appreciate any and
all help/advise and input. As if the stress of Moving isn't
enough...and I am the biggest worryer there is! I just want to do
right by my fish and the thought of them slowly suffering for 2
days...too much for me to even think about.

Thank You!

I have moved fish in their tanks before. It can be done. Tanks are
pretty rugged and are stronger with water in them than empty. The
water keeps the glass pressed outward against the frame. If the
driving causes sloshing, so what?

When you have time after settling, please update us. Lots of people
are faced with travel problems. Your experience will help others.

Hello and my sincerest thanks to all for the responses. Yes, these
fish are special to me. My Bettas and snails I could never give up.
The Platy babies are the only ones I am not really attached to and
would entertain giving back to the pet store. But if I am taking
everything else, these 3 additional are no problem.

I did think of moving them right in the tanks if I could stabilize
them...especially the Bettas. I wasn't sure about the 10 gallon, that
I was afraid might crack. I did move it 3/4 empty when I moved here
(creatures inside) but that was only a 1/2 hour move. But the bag
transport, as NetMax suggested, did come up on quite a few sites, as
well as the Rubbermaid containers. Too bad there isn't an "Official"
Site on the "right" way to do this...lol. The fact that there are so
many choices is what makes it so hard. I suppose whatever keeps the
temperature as stable as possible is the right choice. I am thinking
more of the tanks getting hot than cold, especially where they will
need to stay in the truck. Again, not sure how that will play
out...it's an unknown.

(NetMax says
Otherwise, a styrofoam box, lined with plastic, creatures divided into
3
or 4 sealed bags (minimize jostling). Don't feed for 24 hours before.
Leaving the bags closed will keep the fish in a low metabolic state.

Hello NetMax and thank you for your help. Out of all the respected
people here you are right up there and I am delighted to have your
input. By a strofoam box, do you mean the transport boxes, or a
cooler? A cooler with the bags set inside? How do you fill them with
air...do you just loosely bunch up the top and rubberband them?
Ziploc freezer bags? Should I open and redo with fresh air at
intervals or just leave them as is? Do I use the air pumps for the
Danio and the Platies or they will be fine? BTW, I went to your site
last night...Wow! I have bookmarked it and will go back when I have
more time to enjoy it. It looks great!

Again, my thanks to all for the help! I think once I get this fish
business settled in my mind the move will be a lot less stressful for
me!

If it was up to me, I think I might be tempeted to buy me a 20g Coleman
cooler.. Just to keep the temperature stabile.. The fish can go quite a few
days without eatting, although we might think it may be detrimental, there
digestive system might apprciate the break. Great advice has been offered.
You might bug your LFS if your going to get bags, to fill them up with
oxygen and band them for your.. Therefore you have one less worry..

Tim

"Lady Samsara" wrote in message
om...
Dick wrote in message
. ..
On 12 May 2004 08:31:47 -0700, (Lady
Samsara) wrote:

Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida.
I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10
hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size

snip
Hello and my sincerest thanks to all for the responses. Yes, these
fish are special to me. My Bettas and snails I could never give up.
The Platy babies are the only ones I am not really attached to and
would entertain giving back to the pet store. But if I am taking
everything else, these 3 additional are no problem.

I did think of moving them right in the tanks if I could stabilize
them...especially the Bettas. I wasn't sure about the 10 gallon, that
I was afraid might crack. I did move it 3/4 empty when I moved here
(creatures inside) but that was only a 1/2 hour move. But the bag
transport, as NetMax suggested, did come up on quite a few sites, as
well as the Rubbermaid containers. Too bad there isn't an "Official"
Site on the "right" way to do this...lol. The fact that there are so
many choices is what makes it so hard. I suppose whatever keeps the
temperature as stable as possible is the right choice. I am thinking
more of the tanks getting hot than cold, especially where they will
need to stay in the truck. Again, not sure how that will play
out...it's an unknown.

(NetMax says
Otherwise, a styrofoam box, lined with plastic, creatures divided into
3
or 4 sealed bags (minimize jostling). Don't feed for 24 hours before.
Leaving the bags closed will keep the fish in a low metabolic state.

Hello NetMax and thank you for your help. Out of all the respected
people here you are right up there and I am delighted to have your
input.

I'm delighted to help. My transport experience is as a receiver, so I
can comment on the quality of shipments I've received by container types
and methods, ie: cardboard boxes (poor), styrofoam boxes (good) and I've
even received them individually wrapped in about 3oz of water (often good
surprisingly).

By a strofoam box, do you mean the transport boxes, or a
cooler?

Transport box used for shipping fish by air. I get many of these each
month and about 1/2 get thrown away, and the rest I give to people who
are moving, or I use them to package any large fish sales. The standard
sizes are either 24x24x12 or 16x32x16 (approximately) each holding 8
bags.

A cooler with the bags set inside?

A cooler is ok, but line the interior (sides & bottom) with newspapers
first.

How do you fill them with
air...do you just loosely bunch up the top and rubberband them?
Ziploc freezer bags?

Best to use large fish bags (used for cichlids, Koi etc). Calculate how
many fish bags your box will hold, and then divide the fish evenly
amongst them. You want the interior filled with fishbags to prevent
movement. With the bag 1/3 to 1/4 filled with water, open the bag up so
it's full of air. Quickly grab the top and close it tight with your
hand, twisting the bag to seal the pressure (this might take some
practice with a bag of water and no fish). Let enough air out to have
enough bag material to twist, and make a knot, or fold over and put a
rubber band on it. The bag should be 2/3 air and 1/3 water
approximately, and tight with air pressure. You can double bag for
security. Often the boxes are lined with newspaper (top, bottom and
sides), especially if they used cardboard boxes.

Should I open and redo with fresh air at
intervals or just leave them as is? Do I use the air pumps for the
Danio and the Platies or they will be fine?

An air freight styrofoam box might have 1000 1" fish in it. It's water
changed about every 12 hours if the fish are traveling drugged (not
drugged, you would need to be waterchanging about twice as much. For
your ten critters, I suspect you can duct tape the boxes closed in
Florida and only open them in New York, 2 days later, but to be safe,
open and inspect at your halfway point. Change 2/3 of the water, squirt
in something which de-chlors, stress coats and ammo-locks. Leaving the
boxes open or using an airstone is overkill. This is what you do when
transporting a heavy fish load of larger fish. Not applicable for you.
Even opening at the halfway point is probably un-neccesary, but it's more
for you than the fish ;~)

When you do open them, whatever CO2 is in the bag will escape, so the pH
will pop up and ammonia NH4 might get nasty, NH3, so I squirt some
ammo-lock into freshly opened bags. Seems to work well. Suppliers
sometime ship with ammo-chips in the bags.

BTW, I went to your site
last night...Wow! I have bookmarked it and will go back when I have
more time to enjoy it. It looks great!

Thanks! Maybe I should try to write an official moving article )
--
www.NetMax.tk


Again, my thanks to all for the help! I think once I get this fish
business settled in my mind the move will be a lot less stressful for
me!

"NetMax" wrote in message ...
"Lady Samsara" wrote in message
om...
Dick wrote in message
. ..
On 12 May 2004 08:31:47 -0700, (Lady
Samsara) wrote:

Due to a family emergency I must move back home to NY from Florida.
I
will be leaving 6/1/04 (we are planning 2 days travelling at 10
hours
a day with one hotel room stop) and need to transport the following:

2 Males Bettas
1 Leopard Danio (old)
3 Baby Platy (about 1/2 inch long)
1 Ghost Shrimp
3 Snails of varying size

snip
Hello and my sincerest thanks to all for the responses. Yes, these
fish are special to me. My Bettas and snails I could never give up.
The Platy babies are the only ones I am not really attached to and
would entertain giving back to the pet store. But if I am taking
everything else, these 3 additional are no problem.

I did think of moving them right in the tanks if I could stabilize
them...especially the Bettas. I wasn't sure about the 10 gallon, that
I was afraid might crack. I did move it 3/4 empty when I moved here
(creatures inside) but that was only a 1/2 hour move. But the bag
transport, as NetMax suggested, did come up on quite a few sites, as
well as the Rubbermaid containers. Too bad there isn't an "Official"
Site on the "right" way to do this...lol. The fact that there are so
many choices is what makes it so hard. I suppose whatever keeps the
temperature as stable as possible is the right choice. I am thinking
more of the tanks getting hot than cold, especially where they will
need to stay in the truck. Again, not sure how that will play
out...it's an unknown.

(NetMax says
Otherwise, a styrofoam box, lined with plastic, creatures divided into
3
or 4 sealed bags (minimize jostling). Don't feed for 24 hours before.
Leaving the bags closed will keep the fish in a low metabolic state.

Hello NetMax and thank you for your help. Out of all the respected
people here you are right up there and I am delighted to have your
input.

I'm delighted to help. My transport experience is as a receiver, so I
can comment on the quality of shipments I've received by container types
and methods, ie: cardboard boxes (poor), styrofoam boxes (good) and I've
even received them individually wrapped in about 3oz of water (often good
surprisingly).

By a strofoam box, do you mean the transport boxes, or a
cooler?

Transport box used for shipping fish by air. I get many of these each
month and about 1/2 get thrown away, and the rest I give to people who
are moving, or I use them to package any large fish sales. The standard
sizes are either 24x24x12 or 16x32x16 (approximately) each holding 8
bags.

A cooler with the bags set inside?

A cooler is ok, but line the interior (sides & bottom) with newspapers
first.

How do you fill them with
air...do you just loosely bunch up the top and rubberband them?
Ziploc freezer bags?

Best to use large fish bags (used for cichlids, Koi etc). Calculate how
many fish bags your box will hold, and then divide the fish evenly
amongst them. You want the interior filled with fishbags to prevent
movement. With the bag 1/3 to 1/4 filled with water, open the bag up so
it's full of air. Quickly grab the top and close it tight with your
hand, twisting the bag to seal the pressure (this might take some
practice with a bag of water and no fish). Let enough air out to have
enough bag material to twist, and make a knot, or fold over and put a
rubber band on it. The bag should be 2/3 air and 1/3 water
approximately, and tight with air pressure. You can double bag for
security. Often the boxes are lined with newspaper (top, bottom and
sides), especially if they used cardboard boxes.

Should I open and redo with fresh air at
intervals or just leave them as is? Do I use the air pumps for the
Danio and the Platies or they will be fine?

An air freight styrofoam box might have 1000 1" fish in it. It's water
changed about every 12 hours if the fish are traveling drugged (not
drugged, you would need to be waterchanging about twice as much. For
your ten critters, I suspect you can duct tape the boxes closed in
Florida and only open them in New York, 2 days later, but to be safe,
open and inspect at your halfway point. Change 2/3 of the water, squirt
in something which de-chlors, stress coats and ammo-locks. Leaving the
boxes open or using an airstone is overkill. This is what you do when
transporting a heavy fish load of larger fish. Not applicable for you.
Even opening at the halfway point is probably un-neccesary, but it's more
for you than the fish ;~)

When you do open them, whatever CO2 is in the bag will escape, so the pH
will pop up and ammonia NH4 might get nasty, NH3, so I squirt some
ammo-lock into freshly opened bags. Seems to work well. Suppliers
sometime ship with ammo-chips in the bags.

BTW, I went to your site
last night...Wow! I have bookmarked it and will go back when I have
more time to enjoy it. It looks great!

Thanks! Maybe I should try to write an official moving article )

Hello NetMax...and I think you may have a new project for the future!


Thank you again...I appreciate you going into so much detail for
me...it was very helpful. When you have a personal attachment to the
fish it makes it much harder not to worry about their safety. I know
I will still worry but at least I know I have taken all precautions
for safe travel (thanks to the expert advice I have received here!).
At least I'll have a hell of a story for the future...1,300 miles...1
truck towing 1 car...a dog, a cat, a boyfriend, fish...and lots of
Zanax! lol

I will keep you posted on how things go!

Thank You!