Moving Tips?

[number17Fan]

I am moving 2 hrs away in 2 weeks and want to try and move my 55 gal tank and 15 african cichilds.

I have a minivan, so I have plenty of room. I bought a 75Watt static inverter for the cigarette lighter to power a few air pumps. I plan to put all the rocks and filter parts into rubber maid bin with some water a blow air into it. I hope that keeps the bacteria colony alive for the 3 hrs it will take to break down and startup the new tank.

The question for me is how do I move the fish?

Can I put them in some shallow buckets? or will the water just splash around way too much. Are they better off in plastic bags for 3 hrs?

Has anyone done this sort of move?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[snoopy65]

I would get a cooler (it will maintain the water temp better and has a lid to keep the water in) with a battery operated aerator (Most lfs have them, walmart has them too).

 

[pcfriedrich]

definately use coolers. don't overcrowd the fish, though (I lost two of my favorite, fish to homicide during a move). you can get styrafoam coolers for like $5.00 each at the beer store. they have lids that clamp down, to prevent spillage.

air pump is a good idea. I didn't use one when I moved, but it certainly won't hurt.

definitely keep the biological filter bed wet.

that's about it.

 

[number17Fan]

Shoot I need all my good coolers to move my fridge contents. I may have to borrow some from friends and neighbors or get some cheepo beer coolers.

 

[Camphilophus]

starve your fish for 5 days prior, it will help keep the waste down a LOT and you'll get a ton less ammonia during the move.

 

[Bethany]

i out my fish in half filled ten gallons, with covers of course, on a two hour move, but that was in a car and on the floor so the back of the seat kept it from spilling.

coolers are probably your best bet

 

[Camphilophus]

I move fish for 1-2 hours all the time with no air or anything in rubbermaid containers and they do fine. I'm talking 18" shovelnose too. I probably wouldn't go longer than 2 hours though and I'd use battery packs if I had them.

 

[pcfriedrich]

Shoot I need all my good coolers to move my fridge contents. I may have to borrow some from friends and neighbors or get some cheepo beer coolers.

just use styrofoam beer coolers. they work fine, just be careful they don't crack on the way. lining them with (unscented) garbage bags is probably a good idea.

 

[jdm885]

question on a longer move.. i plan on moving a few provinces over in a few years and was wondering if it'd be possible to ship my fish to the new place? or just start completely new?

 

[Camphilophus]

question on a longer move.. i plan on moving a few provinces over in a few years and was wondering if it'd be possible to ship my fish to the new place? or just start completely new?

shipping is the smartest thing you can do when moving. Just try to get your tanks setup and cycled 100% before they are shipped.