Moving - The Best Way To Avoid Loss

[rebrn]

Hello, I have not asked this before, because the possibility was remote, however, it is becoming a greater possibility that I will be moving to Florida from South Carolina (about 8 hour drive). If the move happens it most likely won't take place until after Christmas, but thinking ahead, what is the best way to move the fish. Obviously I know the filter media will need to be placed in a bucket with some old tank water to avoid it drying out, but should I add ammonia to that water as a food source, or will 8+ hours be OK with out a food source for the bacteria? It would actually be more like 24 - 48 hours in total, by the time I tear down, move, and reset up. Also, what is the best way to move the fish? I am assuming individually bag them, and put them in some kind of protected/divided box, or would I be better to but them all in a bucket with some of the old tank water. I would be able to at least set the filter up on the bucket when I got there so ideally they would only be 8-10 hours with out a filter/air stone. Again this move may not occur but it is looking more and more likely.

Thanks

FYI tanks to move would be a 55 gallon, a 12 gallon and a 5 gallon (no fish yet, but by then all tanks should have fish in them)

 

[Curiosity101]

If it were me I'd do everything you said. Except I would definitely bag all of the fish and put in a poly box for the move.

But at the other end I'd get a large bin/tub for the fish from the 55 gal. Pop them in, set up the filter. Leave overnight.

Do similar for the 12 and 5 gal...though you could probably set the 12 and/or 5gal straight up when you arrive?

Eitherways I really would do everything you can to avoid the filter being down for that long. The bacteria need both a food source and ammonia...so even if you added ammonia they would still die because they wouldn't be able to break it down.

 

[mini_matt]

is it just the 5gallon without fish or all tanks empty? was just going to say put off buying fish for a few months? ammonia is the food source for filter bacteria, unless I just misunderstood the whole tank cycling thing.
I think main question is what fish and filters do you have as if they are small fish a bucket could be a great idea.
heres hoping you wont have to move and risk your fish

 

[drobbyb]

When I moved to Florida from South Carolina I used a cooler (the kind you put drinks in filled less than halfway) and just kept all the fish in there. They stayed plenty warm for the ride and I added a double dose of prime to take care of any ammonia. Make sure your tanks are empty for the move.

There are also battery operated air pumps that are fairly inexpensive and would be a big help if you are worried about co2 buildup in the water.

 

[rebrn]

Currently none of the tanks have fish. I actually thought of not buying fish, but to be honest, it is just so up in the air right now. My husbands company is talking, more seriously then before, about moving, but we really don't know if his department (IT) will be moving, or just the sales department. If I knew for sure we were moving, I would definitely hold of on buying fish, but currently it is a 50/50 shot that we are moving. I know for sure the sales department is moving, but as of the last memo that is the only department is moving. In actuality his department is not even listed on the possible departments to move, it is just that they are starting to move people now, and expect to what ever other departments that will be moving in Florida by the new year. Basically that would potentially leave the IT (his department) and the Costumer service department in South Carolina. So my husband and I are planning for the worst, it just seems silly that they would leave an office building open for just 2 departments (that is if all the "possible to move" departments actually move). But who knows, like I said as of the last memo they assured us that we would not be moving, but who knows Anyway back to the fish ... Currently all tanks empty, stock plan:

5 gallon - Betta with possibly one snail
12 gallon - endlers (male only probably around 8) with a couple of snails or some shrimp
55 gallon - zebra danio school (around 18), harlequin rasboras school (around 12), some kind of cory cat (probably around 6-8), and probably 2 angelfish, also probably a few snails and/or shrimp.

I am not so much worried about the shrimp or the snails as I heard they are fairly easy to ship. Same goes for the Betta, I know they are shipped all the time, I will have a Styrofoam container or cooler to help maintain water temp for the Betta (well for all of them really). I know the Betta will need to be bagged by him self. I can put the shrimp/snails into a bucket. Just not sure if it would be better to bag or bucket the rest of the fish. I would bag by species or bucket by tank. Just not sure what would be better for them.

Thanks again.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

If you desperately want fish why don't you just fill up one tank so you still have some and it's far less for you to move.

 

[rebrn]

What I am going to do is probably just get my Betta for now, as they told us we would not be moving on Monday. The concern I have, is that they will tell us we are not moving and I go ahead with stocking the tanks, then sometime in December/January, they change there minds and tell us we are moving. Like I said as of Monday they said we would not be moving, but I am worried that 2,3,4 months down the road they change their minds. Knowing my luck, I will just nicely get the tanks stocked, and a month later they say "oh we changed our minds, you have to move in a week." So while I can and will put of buying fish, unless I want to get rid of my tanks, I can't put it off for ever. Oh well, I guess I just have to trust them when they say we aren't moving, but I would still like to have the information on how to move them, just in case. It would make me feel better being prepared for the worst.

 

[Curiosity101]

Packing them up at your end wouldn't be a problem. Fishbags and a padded poly box would be fine for transportation. Any plants just have to remain moist. So stick them all in the same back with a tiny bit of moisture, make sure it's air tight and they'll be fine for a few days. Then everything else just gets bagged/boxed up as you would with anything else.

Then...

All the fish except the angel and betta could be unpacked and put into a single large storage tub at the other end.

^^ Like that.

Stick to internal filters for all the tanks for now, pop the biggest one into that box with the majority of the fish (they should be fine overnight so long as you stick a few holes in the lid for ventilation)

Then get some smaller ones for the betta and the angels, set the betta up with it's little filter. The angels with the filter from the 12gal.

Stack all the residents up for the night and leave them too it.

Then you'd have a day or two easily to get everything set up.
It's not idea but to be honest with the type of fish you plan to have it wouldn't be a big problem.
If it were me I'd get stocking!

 

[rebrn]

Thanks so much Curiosity, that was awesome. Hopefully I won't have to move, simply because moving is a pain, even without pets (I have 5 cats and a dog that would be joining the move too). I wasn't so much worried about my end, I was really more worried about the actually car ride and then how long I would have to set them up at the other end. So your plan looks great and definitely do able within a reasonable time frame. I know some people would say "their just fish, flush them" but I just CANNOT do that, no matter how "insignificant" some people think fish are.

Thanks again

 

[Curiosity101]

My boyfriend looks at me like I'm mad when I 'interfere' with other peoples fish.
Ie. I see 3 goldfish in a 30litre tank (his dads), and I point out how bad that'll be long term...source them an incredibly cheap 120l (£20 for a full set-up plus decor n extras)

And then they go 'Oh...ermm...actually it's bigger than we expected so we're not using it'

And my boyfriend has a right go at me when I tell his dad how bad that is, especially as I also found a stand for the tank to go on which means it fits in the same place as the 30l one. So it would take up more room, but not room that's being used by anything else so it wouldn't be in the way at all.
Anyhoo, point is he now has a proper little tantrum at me telling me that they're not my fish so I should butt out. I point out it's not about whether they're my fish or not, they're not 'just fish' and they deserve the correct care.

That's just one example, but there have been others.

Nb: His dad did say he wanted a bigger tank (hence me finding him one), and he said the only reason he isn't using the bigger one is because it's too big and he had nowhere to put it. But it fits in the little alcove the little one is in, just needed a stand cause he didn't have one. I've left it at that, so hopefully am only the 'reasonable' amount of pushy.

 

[OldMan47]

That is pushier than I like to get Curiosity. I can't say that you are wrong but people will do as they please regardless of what you or I may think of the situation.

 

[timmystood]

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