Moving With A Fish Tank

[theharr89]

Hello, we are looking at moving in the near future From Arizona to Colorado (72 hours max between tanks) and have 2 tanks we would like to take with us. Obviously the easiest solution would be to get rid of fish and start fresh when we get there but there are a couple that we are attached to and would be sad to see go. I have seen a few different methods mentioned but wanted to see what you guys would recommend. All methods would involve coolers and transporting as much water as possible as well as not feeding the fish for 48 hours beforehand but the main difference is in how the fish would be packed. One method I have seen involves packing the fish basically in trash bags a few fish per cooler as to not be crowded and seal the bags with no more than 1/2 water, 1/2 fresh air. Second would be similar but the difference would be Oxygen instead of air. Third is packing in smaller bags with Oxygen. Last would be in coolers lined with trash bags but the bags not sealed, lids on the coolers, and bubblers in each cooler to provide aeration. Like I said, the fish would be in the coolers for between 48 and 72 hours during the move and would be in the back seat of my crew cab pickup. What are your thoughts on the different methods? I am leaning towards the last but wanted input before the trip.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

What species of fish are they, as this does have a bearing on the best method? Let me know and I will give you some tips. It's much easier than you may think

 

[theharr89]

The ones we are most interested in keeping are 1 Oscar, 1 (what we think is a) red zebra, 2 balas, 1 red tailed shark, and 2 African dwarf frogs. We also have 1 (quite large) common plec, 1 algae eater, 5 giant danios, 3 rainbow fish, and 2 platys. The second list we are going to try to see if anyone wants them as we are not as attached to them and they can be easily replaced. Obviously if no one wants them, they will be coming with us.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

OK. The best way will be to bag the larger fish individually, the smaller ones can go together. If you can get oxygen to fill the air space in the bag then all the better, but I know this might not be so easy. I would strongly suggest that you sedate the bigger fish. This will reduce the chance of stress and also lower their oxygen requirement. The 2 potential ways to do this is with either Tricaine, or clove oil. Start the process about 10 mins before you bag the fish.

Mix 25mg Tricaine per liter of water(taken from your tank), put it in buckets, and move the fish into the buckets 10 minutes before bagging. Bag the fish using this same water. Add oxygen to the bag, or trap as much air as possible in the bag top. Your bag needs to be at least 70% air space to 30% water(and have enough water to comfortably cover the fish).

If using clove oil, then the process is the same, but the mix will be 1 drop clove oil per liter of water.

line a cooler with some news paper, and now place the fish in the cooler. Cover with more news paper, the tape some chemical heat packs to the inside of the cooler lid(assuming that the outside temperature will be below 25C/77F). You can get heat packs from your local outdoor adventure type store. I don't know how hot it is there just now, so this will be your call.

Packed like this and they should be fine for the 72hours. The same method is generally used for international air shipments of fish, which can take several days.

Hope this helps, and best of luck

 

[micko]

I'm not sure if they're available where you are but I know of a product called 'bag buddies' they sedate the fish like DTD suggested and reduces stress. Its really not a big issue considering fish are shipped all around the world this way. Obviously pure oxygen from a pressurised cylinder would be better to add to the bag if you can get it or your LFS may do this for you for maybe a small charge.
Good luck with the move.