I will be moving in April with my four rays (all 9-11") and various other fishes. Mapquest says that the drive will take close to 12 hours. I will likely use a couple large styrofoam boxes and battery operated air pumps for the drive. However my largest concern is the fact that I will not be able to have a tank set up at the new apartment before I arrive. How should I plan to complete this move?
Moving with rays
- Thread starter buctrose
- Start date
Im not an expert but saving the gravel and some of the water to jump start the new tank would help, along with a bacteria inoculate like cycle or TLC to help the bacteria establish itself.
Is there a LFS in your area your friendly with? Ask them if they can hold your livestock untill your tank is setup and ready to go. If they have experience with shipping maybe they will ship down( at your cost) to you once your ready.
Keeping the filter media warm, moist, and aerated is more important than moving water. Water doesn't hold much of the bacteria.
I think I'd treat the filter media like live fish - give it a styrofoam, water and air pump of its own. Arrive, set up tank, tank rays and fish, set up filters, set up bed, collapse.
I think I'd treat the filter media like live fish - give it a styrofoam, water and air pump of its own. Arrive, set up tank, tank rays and fish, set up filters, set up bed, collapse.
Is it a 12 hr drive from house to house? If so add time for bathroom breaks, eating, gas, etc. Shipping is probably your best option IMO
I've traveled over 20 hours before with rays and other fish. They'll be fine. Just keep them warm, well aerated and BRING EXTRA WATER !!, you'll need to do a water change halfway to keep the ammonia down. Stop feeding 3-4 days prior to reduce the amount of waste.
Treat the Bio bacteria the same way, keep them warm and aerated.
When you get to the new destination, setup tank and you're done.
Are you running a canister filter or wet/dry ? if you're not running a canister, you may want to get a large one now. It's easier to setup a canister than it is to setup a drilled tank.
Try to find a 75 gallon non drilled tank now, when you get to the new location, set it up on a cinderblock, fill it with water, put all your media in the canister filter and you're set.
Then you can set up your tank the next day, there's nothing worst than driving for 12-13 hours and still have to setup a tank.
Treat the Bio bacteria the same way, keep them warm and aerated.
When you get to the new destination, setup tank and you're done.
Are you running a canister filter or wet/dry ? if you're not running a canister, you may want to get a large one now. It's easier to setup a canister than it is to setup a drilled tank.
Try to find a 75 gallon non drilled tank now, when you get to the new location, set it up on a cinderblock, fill it with water, put all your media in the canister filter and you're set.
Then you can set up your tank the next day, there's nothing worst than driving for 12-13 hours and still have to setup a tank.