Early Preparation

[Sharlene1385]

Ok. We will be moving from Idaho to Tennessee in a 34 ft motorhome, leaving July 12th. I have the 10 gal tank of course. So, I'm trying to think of the best way to move with the fish. I also have 12 cats coming with us. And the motorhome seems to be very smooth. I tested it with water in containers earlier, not a lot of swishing around, can even leave containers of water on counter while in motion, did not move container and didn't swish water too much. Only time it container fell off was during tight square turn. Fish will be placed under small end table on floor. But, how do I move them safly? I have traveled with fish before, 2 female betas in a kritter keaper to SD and later to CA with kritter keeper 75% full and over bumpy highway, with no heater, filter, airstone, or lights. The 10 gal is new so it should be strong, maybe it would be best to leave fish in tank only half full, or full enough to let filter run. Don't want to kill bacteria, but I don't know how to keep that thing running since I'm not sure we can use power on the road, we may pull in to rv spots at night to plug in filter, but I think that would be too long without moving water. The trip should take any where from 4 - 7 days. Heat won't be a problem, rv should stay rather warm, though I can open windows to cool off and I'll keep a close watch on temp. I know everyone says to not travel with the tank since the water could be too heavy for tank walls or could urt the fish, but I've done it before, and I'm just trying to think of the best way to travel without losing fish or good bacteria. Note that when I did travel with fish before, they did live for 5 years even over rough road in a car. I still have 1 3 gal kritter keaper that I could use for them, but I feel thats a bit small for the fish. Although it would only be temp cause when we pull in I can set up 10 gal. again.
Also... on shoestring budget here, but I do have a cooler that I may be able to use. I'll probably have small ghost shrimp by time we move, so add him to the mix in case. Please help so I can get things figured out now. Oh, I have a dechlorinator that also removes ammonia if that helps, have stress coat tablets by Jungle too.

 

[kittybug]

first good luck with the move. i think pretty much everyone is going to recommend taking it apart and transfering with buckets and bags etc... If you really want to do it i have a few ideas. I havent tried any of these just so you know. they just seem to make sense. you can take it however...
i would put the tank somewhere you can strap it to something in case of a sharp turn or sudden stop.you can get good tie down staps at walmart for a couple bucks.
while your at walmart in the automotive section check out the power apaters. they plug into the cigarette lighter and allow you to plug in a house plug. i have one and its great. i think it was about 15 buck.
make sure your lid fits tight. and keep a towel or blanket over the tank to make sure the fissh are as calm as they can be.

 

[Sharlene1385]

Ok, See I'm planning or thought about sticking on floor between to chairs that are locked in the postition. That keeps a cusion between it, and I may have some bungi cords to use too. I think I know what you are talking about with the converter thing, we had one...somewhere for tv. But I'm thinking, how to pull that through from the lighter to the chairs to plug it in, that would mean crossing the hall way area and making dad walk--should I say trip, over the cords and no telling what. Definatly thought of towls, and the lid is fairly tight. I just can't see how I could bag up the fish for 4 days or more. I thought they could only be baged for 48 hours, taking a risk there. And I have one live plant and of course I may end up killing the bacteria. AHHHHH. I'm not giving up my fish just to move. Must find way. I'm thinking of taking lided bucket full of water from tank to replace back in tank when we settle in, but then, with a fully packed rv, where would I carry water? lol. I have an over the side filter. The type of tank and filter and lighting I have is the type sold at walmart... the kit for 10 gal. Just normal gravel and some glass rock in for substrate. I plan on taking the rock formation out during travel to protect fish from it falling. Just leaving in plants and substrate.

 

[SomaticDelusions]

I am not sure how much help I can be to you but I will tell you what I did. I had 4 Oscars each about 6-8 inches a piece as well as two plecos both about 7 inches in length. I was moving them and their 55 gal from Minnesota to Georgia and I did as much research as I could before hand. I am not familiar with your fish but some of the steps I took in preparation was to not feed them for about 3 weeks before shipping. This was recommended because basically if their stomachs were empty then the ammount of ammonia in the water was greatly reduced, HOWEVER, I did keep a couple bottles of ammo-lock 2 on hand to keep the ammonia as neutralized as possible, Also had, Stress-zyne to reduce the stress as much as possible. The last thing I packed before hitting the road was H2O, straight out of the tank and into buckets and bags, the entire tank. I did this for a couple reasons, number one I would rotate water in the cooler throughout the trip. This also had alot to do with ammonia, but also because I had no other way to match the water once I arrived. Finally, I got a battery powered air pump, with a couple extra sets of spare batteries, and kept it running in the tank nonstop. I am happy to say that every one of them made it. Unfortunately, I spent the next three months constantly fighting off diseases. One, of your advantages is that you can move the tank with water in it. I would suggest that any water you do pull out of the tank, you find some way to bring it with you for the same reason. Also, I hope that you are much more prepared than I was but be prepared for dealing with diseases along the way and once you arrive. Good Luck!

 

[kittybug]

if you need to use a cord duct tape it down super cheap and super functional.

 

[Sharlene1385]

Gotta love ducktape. lol. Yea, I'm working on a way to bring the water, we did that during vaction with the betas, brought a jug of home water. But I want to take the tank water so that when we do get there, I can gradually add new water from there to the tank, instead of all at once shocking the fish. These fish are hogs, I mean 2 hours without food and they are picking the rocks for it. Of course they don't get fed every 2 hours, they just WISH they did. lol I've been cutting down food a bit since I'm fighting swim bladder and ick at the moment. I'm to sure the one with make it through the trip. She seems to be the weakest, for any bit of stress and she'll hide in the rocks and hardly move. Thought I lost her last night. I'm prepared to lose her and maybe the tetras. I'm just going to try not to lose them. I was thinking about that battery operated air pump. Would that help keep the bacteria alive in the gravel? I can put filter media in bag to keep its bactera in water, and add air to the bag like they do with fish. I'll set the tank back up as soon as we get there and have a place to stay with rv. Still trying to find out about generator, if all goes well I might have it solved, be able to plug in filter while going down the road. But I think the generator will take too much gas to do that, and with the prices of gas... yikes. Its a choice between killing fish, stressing fish and killing bactera, or making it half way with no money for gas. lol. I measured and I think that 10 gal will fit tightly between the chairs, I can move them and lock in tighter if need be. I'm picking up some more stress stuff and may get some Cycle to try. Just in case I do kill my bacteria, I can add that in a help restart things-- good precaution I'd think. Not sure if it works but it might help and be worth the try. Anyway, I have fungus medication and ick medication. Also will pick up some salt. Luckly platies and this type tetra is hardy, though one platy isn't that hardy. We'll have to see. I guess if all else fails, at least I tryed. I havn't had them that long so if I lose them it'll be easier to handle then having them for years and losing them.hopefully I can do good with them though.
And the info did help. Thank you.