Any anti-sloshing ideas for transporting fish via car?

[deeda]

Perfect! Thanks y’all!! I’ll go tomorrow and see what they have because that would definitely be an easier method vs the 35 gal Rubbermaid.

While you are there, ask if they have ever shipped fish before, if so you may be able to take your fish there the day of your moving and they can bag and add O2 for a slight fee. Just be sure the bag size is sufficient to comfortably hold your Oscar.

Also don't forget to stop feeding 24 -48 hours before your planned move regardless of the method you use to reduce fish waste in the bag or container.

 

[Jexnell]

When I shipped Tony to a fellow MFKer, they put her in a temp bag in store to take her to the offsite shipping/storage facility.

You would want something as big or bigger so the bag can be on its side while keeping the fish submerged so you have a larger surface area to pull more oxygen in the bag into the water.

 

[Maxdevine00]

Yes I will start fasting him tonight! Also, I checked and Home Depot has 42 gal (thick) trash compactor bags but that might be a bit large ... I already have a big square cooler I could line with the bag for insulation/support.

I thought the bag was supposed to be upright vs on its side? I know that the specialty fish bags have a certain shape that prevents the corners from folding in on themselves and trapping the fish. I’m concerned that this would happen with the regular shaped bags.

 

[celebrist]

Would that trash compactor bag method work without pure oxygen for 6.5hrs? Or could I leave it open at the top?

I put the trash compactor bag in a 5 gallon bucket fill it about halfway full and tied it at the top 5 or 6 hours later I floated them

 

[Maxdevine00]

Is a 5 gal bucket big enough for a ~9 inch Oscar to be safe in? If so that would be very easy!

 

[dr exum]

5g bucket with lid - used cooler however it was sloshy

 

[celebrist]

Is a 5 gal bucket big enough for a ~9 inch Oscar to be safe in? If so that would be very easy!

I can't say for sure, my biggest fish for that move was a 7 inch syno cat. Also don't put all your Africans in the same bag unless you are looking to reduce stock, that was ugly upon inspection

 

[Maxdevine00]

Yeah it might be a little cramped. Would a bag inside a ~20 gal square shaped cooler be better or would sloshing still be a problem? Also, is it ok to open the bag at certain intervals is should it remained closed the whole time?

 

[neutrino]

I've done a good bit of transporting fish, whether moving, delivering some for sale a few hours away, etc. I've read that a cylinder shape (bucket) creates less sloshing than a rectangular shape (tub). Makes some sense and ime is probably true, but less less doesn't mean it's eliminated. I've used fairly large rocks in tubs (and buckets), which ime does baffle sloshing, but doesn't eliminate it.

Obviously, some will wonder whether a rock can slide around and injure the fish-- all I can tell you is it hasn't been an issue for me, maybe it depends on size, shape, weight, or smoothness of the rock(s). I use fairly heavy, flat-sh bottomed rocks, wide enough not to be tipsy. On occasion I've laid the rock on some sand, thick enough to act as a bit of cushion. My theory was it might add friction to help keep the rock in place, but since I haven't had an issue either way, I don't have a definitive answer to that.

It's worked for me, your results may vary.

 

[Maxdevine00]

I've read that a cylinder shape (bucket) creates less sloshing than a rectangular shape (tub).

I’ve heard that as well! It does make sense because there is less horizontal distance for the water to gain momentum. If only they made 10gal buckets at Home Depot that were slightly larger ... there are trash cans however! Do you think a cylindrical trash can would work better than a rectangle tub or would it be top heavy and not stable in the car?