Moving Across The Country?

[blur411]

I may be taking a job across the country, which will take us about 4-5 days to complete driving. Any advice on moving a 55 gallon planted tank?

I'm planning on keeping the fish in a tote, with a lid, and getting a power source to keep an airstone in the tote to keep oxygen moving. Also, I plan on putting the filter media in the water, just to keep the bacteria alive for the drive. I will put a heater in there, if need be for water temps. The plants, I was going to just either throw in the bin with the fish, or wrap in paper towel soaked in water.

Anyone ever done this, do you think my fish will make it? I know I can't fill the tote up too high with water, or it will spill.

 

[Mark Z.]

What fish do you have

 

[The Taffy Apple]

What fish do you have

+1...
If they are 2/3 USD/GBP then i'd rehome them and start again... i would be more concerned with keeping my filter media alive.
Good luck with it though, i hope everything arrives safe and well

Terry.

 

[blur411]

I'm pretty attached to my specific fish, I have guppies, pleco, snail, platties, and yoyo loaches. I went to the LFS near where I might be moving, and their yoyo loaches were 9 dollars a piece, and guppies were 4 dollars each. I would rather just keep m current stock, and try and keep them alive on the trip.

 

[Mark Z.]

Sounds like you are in for an interesting trip! What state are you moving to? Are you driving all your things in your vehicle?

I think the pleco and the loaches will survive fine. They are tough. The guppies and platys are more of a concern. I think the constant bouncing and sloshing would be the biggest problem.

Good luck, let us know how you make out!
Mark

 

[h00ked]

Years ago I moved to Georia from Connecticut with a friend. We had a 55g tank drained down to the point the 3-4 large Goldfish stayed wet. It was supposed to be an 18 hr. ride. We broke down in western Pennsylvania in a snowstorm. The tank froze (us too). Needless to say 3 days later the tank thawed and the fish survived. Enjoy your trip. The fish will be fine.

 

[blur411]

Moving from Southern California to Ohio. Thanks for the advice, we will see if it work! I'm going to try my hardest!

 

[Murrayjane]

I would either stay in So Cal or consider giving the fish away to a friend/store (A departing gift). If you like your specific fish you certainly wouldn't want them to decease during the journey. Honestly, it seems like an awful lot of hard work and stress for your current stock.

With a four or five day trip, the platies, guppies, yoyo loaches, and pleco will all need more swimming space for that amount of time.

 

[fluttermoth]

I have to say I agree with Murryjane and The Taffy Apple, I don't think it's feasible.

If it was 'only' a couple of days, you could probably get away with doing it with the fish bagged with bag buddies and oxygen, but four or five days is just too long and I can't think of any way you can keep them safe from ammonia poisoning and oxygen depletion, unless you had a large plastic travelling container of some kind with a battery powered filter.