Has anyone moved a lengthy distance with their fish before? If you have please post your experience with the whole ordeal. Or if you know of any post(s) that answers or is similar to my question please post a link.
Well my move is not going to happen for another year. But I like to plan ahead and prepare so I've been trying to formulate all the possible logistics of moving my two (currently at 20") Black Pacu's, Bebop and Rocksteady cross country. So if you have any suggestions or insight it would be much appreciated!
I only see three possible scenarios:
1) Airport to Airport or Overnight Shipping
Pro's - Fastest way to move them, best chance of surviving, a lot less stress for me
Con's - EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE EXPEEEENSIVE
I went to Brian at Ocean Blue who's my LFS goto guy for advice and he quoted me that when all is said and done... It may cost me well over a thousand dollars to package and ship out my fish!
That's just not an affordable alternative for me...
On another note I also believe that Pacu's are restricted in Connecticut, so this may not be an option afterall, if I have to clear the fish through some sort of customs. Does anyone know if they sell Red Belly Pacu's in any of the Walmarts or corporate run fish stores in Connecticut?? I'm 99.99% sure I already know the answer, since I called 2 Walmart Supercenters and asked if they sold them, but I'm hoping for the small chance that I'm wrong.
Anyways, I would still like to figure out all the possible logistics and details of this scenario. Example - What kind of container will I need to use for transport? How heavy will container with water be? How much will container cost to purchase? Can I save money by building my own container? Will I need to include some portable battery system for the O2, bubbler and heater? etc...
2) Driving them myself
Pro's - Cheapest way possible, the more I think about it the more I think it's doable, filtration, heater, bubbler all running from a power inverter. Prime to maintain water. I'll also bring along hosing and look for any water connects when I flll up for gas to do water changes, or maybe I can find people along the way that I can make pit stops at and don't mind me using their hose for small water changes.
Con's - My fish not surviving the possible weeklong trip from coast to coast is a scary thought, I don't think my car can handle or carry 100+ gallons of water in it without bottoming out..., ALOT of work involved trying to pull this off, other unforeseen circumstances...Example scenario - if for some dumb reason I'm pulled over and a cop wants to search my car and give me a hard time
I'm not entirely sure of all laws concerning interstate transport of fish. I may need to map out my driving path so if I have to avoid particular states I will.
I'm either going to have a moving company move my stuff, or rent a POD, I'm trying to avoid renting a U-Haul and moving myself, because then I know for sure it'll be slow and hellish if I try to move my fish cross country while driving a U-haul truck. So it'll just be my wife, car, dog and fish. However, I may consider renting or buying a truck with cab and my wife can follow in the car. This way I know I can transport my fish properly. I would buy a 100+ gallon fiberglass tub and use that for transporting my fish in the back of the truck.
3) Letting them go and starting over again......sigh.......
Pro's - Bebop and Rocksteady's 100% survival rate
Con's -
These are my boys and I would be devastated if I have to give them up.
Honestly, this is an option I do not want to consider...at least not yet.
Well my move is not going to happen for another year. But I like to plan ahead and prepare so I've been trying to formulate all the possible logistics of moving my two (currently at 20") Black Pacu's, Bebop and Rocksteady cross country. So if you have any suggestions or insight it would be much appreciated!
I only see three possible scenarios:
1) Airport to Airport or Overnight Shipping
Pro's - Fastest way to move them, best chance of surviving, a lot less stress for me
Con's - EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE EXPEEEENSIVE
I went to Brian at Ocean Blue who's my LFS goto guy for advice and he quoted me that when all is said and done... It may cost me well over a thousand dollars to package and ship out my fish!
That's just not an affordable alternative for me...On another note I also believe that Pacu's are restricted in Connecticut, so this may not be an option afterall, if I have to clear the fish through some sort of customs. Does anyone know if they sell Red Belly Pacu's in any of the Walmarts or corporate run fish stores in Connecticut?? I'm 99.99% sure I already know the answer, since I called 2 Walmart Supercenters and asked if they sold them, but I'm hoping for the small chance that I'm wrong.
Anyways, I would still like to figure out all the possible logistics and details of this scenario. Example - What kind of container will I need to use for transport? How heavy will container with water be? How much will container cost to purchase? Can I save money by building my own container? Will I need to include some portable battery system for the O2, bubbler and heater? etc...
2) Driving them myself
Pro's - Cheapest way possible, the more I think about it the more I think it's doable, filtration, heater, bubbler all running from a power inverter. Prime to maintain water. I'll also bring along hosing and look for any water connects when I flll up for gas to do water changes, or maybe I can find people along the way that I can make pit stops at and don't mind me using their hose for small water changes.
Con's - My fish not surviving the possible weeklong trip from coast to coast is a scary thought, I don't think my car can handle or carry 100+ gallons of water in it without bottoming out..., ALOT of work involved trying to pull this off, other unforeseen circumstances...Example scenario - if for some dumb reason I'm pulled over and a cop wants to search my car and give me a hard time
I'm not entirely sure of all laws concerning interstate transport of fish. I may need to map out my driving path so if I have to avoid particular states I will.I'm either going to have a moving company move my stuff, or rent a POD, I'm trying to avoid renting a U-Haul and moving myself, because then I know for sure it'll be slow and hellish if I try to move my fish cross country while driving a U-haul truck. So it'll just be my wife, car, dog and fish. However, I may consider renting or buying a truck with cab and my wife can follow in the car. This way I know I can transport my fish properly. I would buy a 100+ gallon fiberglass tub and use that for transporting my fish in the back of the truck.
3) Letting them go and starting over again......sigh.......
Pro's - Bebop and Rocksteady's 100% survival rate
Con's -
These are my boys and I would be devastated if I have to give them up.Honestly, this is an option I do not want to consider...at least not yet.
