How to make a bucket safe?

[dreamyshade]

I have to take a small pleco, an angelfish, and a clown loach back to the lfs tomorrow. Kind of sad, but it's the right thing to do. I have a new-ish, plastic trash can/bucket that is just about the right size. What should I do to make sure it is safe for the fish and their water? It'll be a 20-30 minute trip (I didn't like any of the nearer stores). I don't *think* the bucket has been washed with soap, but it's probably got a little goo in it or something.

Thanks!

 

[IMCL85]

the bucket should be 3-4 gallon in us or uk size. And should be clean meaning not oily or have been contained with toxic chemical. And you load the bucket with ur main aquarium water to ensure water is safe. And put in an air stone if possible. And you should be fine.

 

[dreamyshade]

Right now it's a little sticky at the bottom. What's the best way to make sure it's clean? Just scrubbing with some hot water and a rough sponge?

 

[IMCL85]

as long it hasn't been loaded with any toxic chemical it should be fine. Just clean it with sponge and water over and over until the sticky thing go off.

 

[tttnjfttt]

you can always line the bucket with a bag. THats gaurenteed to be free of extra chemicals.

 

[Gill]

As stated another bag inside the bucket is always good.

but DO scrub down with very hot water, and make sure it does not smell of anything, or has any residue on it. like some buckets come as, you know a kind of sublte oily residue.

 

[emma12321]

If they are going to be in it for a while i would cover the top with cling film or tape a bag over my clowns are good at jumping when i have moved them in the past.

Emma

 

[CFC]

Get some bags from the LFS and bag them in exactly the same way as they do when you buy the fish, buckets are not a safe way to transport fish as they often get bashed against the hard sides during transit.

 

[dreamyshade]

What kind of bag would I line the bucket with? Like a regular grocery-store plastic bag?

I'd like to put them in little bags, but I can't go to the lfs and come back and go there again (mom's driving me).

 

[pica_nuttalli]

perhaps you could try using gallon-sized ziplock bags. if you've got clear plastic freezer bags, you could use those as well (just don't swing them about!).

if you're dead-set on the garbage pail, double-line it with fresh garbage bags. but whatever you do, don't put the pleco in with the angel! not only is there a good chance of the pleco damaging the angel, they need different orientations for transport. (angels are nice vertical fish while plecos are quite horizontal.)

 

[dreamyshade]

OK, I'll line it with fresh garbage bags.

The pleco and angel have been living together for a long time and haven't bothered each other. Will they now? Eeek. I don't have another suitable bucket.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Put a towle over the top of the bucket. It will keep it darker which will reduce the sterss for the fish.

 

[BigC]

If your worried about transporting your fish in that bucket and have concerns about its former usage, surely then a few pence/cents on a new clean recepticle would be money well spent rather than risking you precious fish.

 

[dreamyshade]

Well, it worked out all right. The black plastic bag kept the bucket dark, and I put a piece of plastic wrap over the top (but the loach didn't try to leap out). The guy at the lfs just put them right into one of their tanks (I guess the quarantine tank?) - I was a little surprised because I thought he'd let them acclimate a little. They looked OK in the tank though. I got $10 store credit.

Thanks guys!