Moving fish

Beerleader · 06-08-2005, 10:37 PM

Just a question regarding a move. We may be relocating for a job within the year not sure yet, but I got to thinking and am really freaked out about moving the fish. I have 10 discus and one arrowana that will be moving with us. Thankfully the arrowana is still a baby and the discus are only about a year old..some younger. But I know how sensitive they are to temp changes etc. What will be my best solution for a move...I am in Ky and will either be going 3 hours to Tennessee, or even farther to North Carolina. So in a long move what is my best option? Thanks for any suggestions! I definitely do not want to lose any fish!

Gracie6363 · 06-09-2005, 08:18 AM

I know when they ship fish they usually box the bags or what not in with those heaters that when you bust they warm for a length of time. I havnet personally used them, but I remember people talking about them like a year ago on this forum. Also, lots of stress coat in the water for them and maybe opening the bag to agitate the water for oxygen or something for them.

I am sure someone more experianced will help you with this. Best of luck and great question!

Beerleader · 06-09-2005, 09:54 AM

Thanks and yeah I have heard those same things but just unsure exactly how I should go about it! Hopefully someone has done this themselves and can tell me how they did it successfully! It is a scary thing hehe

**Fishfirst** · 06-09-2005, 10:01 AM

The best way to move a fish is in a cooler really. It helps keep those temp changes to a minimum. If you go farther than 3 hours, the bag or container will usually have some oxygen depletion, if that is the case, try getting one of those portible air pumps (battery operated). And rotate it into each bag of fish every half hour or so. This will ensure the fish will not sufficate. Note: you can do it also with the bag/container all the way open, but leaks, spills, and other accidents may occur. Also if you can, take as much water from your old tank as you can. Different water parameters from the new places tap water may be quite a shock to the fish. Also of coarse keep your gravel wet, as well as your filter media.

Huugs · 06-09-2005, 10:07 AM

Too keep your filter media wet could you put it in the bag with the fish? that way the ammonia and nitrite levels would be kept under control a bit aswell. Or does it not matter with this length of time?

euRasian32 · 06-09-2005, 10:20 AM

Not only do you have a drive ahead of you, you have the down time of the actual tank. I've done it with the exception of a few suggestions above, but I'll include them.

The tank/fish should be the last thing you move from the old place, and the first thing to be set up at the new. It may require it's own separate trip, and you'll have to concentrate specifically on breaking down/setting up the tank.

The fish shoud be kept in styrofoam, in bags. A battery operated air pump is a great idea, running on each bag/styrofoam when you take your pit stops to refuel, eat, etc.

(Assuming you have a 75 gal or less)
You can decide how you should break your tank down. Although this suggestion will make it heavier, leave the same level water in the tank as high as you have substrate. Filter media can be kept in ziplocks, most decorations excluding rocks and heavy objects can be left in the tank.

If you're renting a moving truck and you can't devote a trip just for the tank, the tank should be the last thing on the truck and the first thing off.

**Fishfirst** · 06-09-2005, 10:29 AM

styrofoam or cooler, whichever you prefer. I prefer coolers because they are insolated a little better.

euRasian32 · 06-09-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishfirst

styrofoam or cooler, whichever you prefer. I prefer coolers because they are insolated a little better.

Or you could get a styrofoam cooler from Sev's for under 2 bucks. (I meant styrofoam cooler in my post ha ha)

Beerleader · 06-09-2005, 07:48 PM

cool thanks everyone for the input, as soon as we heard we may get a transfer I started freaking out heheh. Yeah its 6 ++ months away but I need to prepare! I'd die if I lost any of them...and I had no clue on exactly how to move them. But all this info definitey helps! I appreciate it! One more question??...If I use R.O. water do I still need to keep as much of the tank water as possible? I noticed a few of you guys said too due to the possible change in water in the other state...but if I use R.O. is it as important?

Beerleader · 06-09-2005, 07:57 PM

Also another question regarding my arrowana, right now he's only six inches but he has almost doubled in size in just one month. Will he keep growing this fast? if so in 6++ months when I move will he be too large to bag?? And if so how in the world am I gonna go about moving him? I don't wanna give him away to a LFS or anyone really, so how do ppl move large fish? I dunno how large he'll be by then hopefully not too big. Thanks again!

**Fishfirst** · 06-09-2005, 08:11 PM

yes it is still important, RO water only takes out TDS and a few other things, you still have ions in the water, different pH and other factors that RO water doesn't cure. Rubbermaid containers work well for large fish. As long as they are food grade they usually are OK for your fish.

Beerleader · 06-09-2005, 08:17 PM

Ok then I'll make sure I keep as much water as possible, never even thought about that really...so thanks again! And I guess I'll be investing in a large rubbermaid(food grade) then because at this rate that lil sucker is gonna be really big! And Phhhttt to the person that told me he'd be about 2 or 3 feet at best..now I can laugh hehe

06-08-2005, 10:37 PM	#1
Beerleader Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Age: 35 Posts: 382	Moving fish Just a question regarding a move. We may be relocating for a job within the year not sure yet, but I got to thinking and am really freaked out about moving the fish. I have 10 discus and one arrowana that will be moving with us. Thankfully the arrowana is still a baby and the discus are only about a year old..some younger. But I know how sensitive they are to temp changes etc. What will be my best solution for a move...I am in Ky and will either be going 3 hours to Tennessee, or even farther to North Carolina. So in a long move what is my best option? Thanks for any suggestions! I definitely do not want to lose any fish!

06-09-2005, 08:18 AM	#2
Gracie6363 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Age: 29 Posts: 139	I know when they ship fish they usually box the bags or what not in with those heaters that when you bust they warm for a length of time. I havnet personally used them, but I remember people talking about them like a year ago on this forum. Also, lots of stress coat in the water for them and maybe opening the bag to agitate the water for oxygen or something for them. I am sure someone more experianced will help you with this. Best of luck and great question! __________________ 10 Gallon 1 orange white skirt tetra 1 chinese algae eater 40 gallon 2 leopard cory 1 bala shark 1 angel fish 1 pl*co 1 doberman 3 tabby cats 1 siamese 1 gray tree squirrel 1 husband 1 4.5 yr old son

06-09-2005, 10:01 AM	#4
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,704 Blog Entries: 6	The best way to move a fish is in a cooler really. It helps keep those temp changes to a minimum. If you go farther than 3 hours, the bag or container will usually have some oxygen depletion, if that is the case, try getting one of those portible air pumps (battery operated). And rotate it into each bag of fish every half hour or so. This will ensure the fish will not sufficate. Note: you can do it also with the bag/container all the way open, but leaks, spills, and other accidents may occur. Also if you can, take as much water from your old tank as you can. Different water parameters from the new places tap water may be quite a shock to the fish. Also of coarse keep your gravel wet, as well as your filter media. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

06-09-2005, 10:20 AM	#6
euRasian32 Why So Serious? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Age: 33 Posts: 772	Not only do you have a drive ahead of you, you have the down time of the actual tank. I've done it with the exception of a few suggestions above, but I'll include them. The tank/fish should be the last thing you move from the old place, and the first thing to be set up at the new. It may require it's own separate trip, and you'll have to concentrate specifically on breaking down/setting up the tank. The fish shoud be kept in styrofoam, in bags. A battery operated air pump is a great idea, running on each bag/styrofoam when you take your pit stops to refuel, eat, etc. (Assuming you have a 75 gal or less) You can decide how you should break your tank down. Although this suggestion will make it heavier, leave the same level water in the tank as high as you have substrate. Filter media can be kept in ziplocks, most decorations excluding rocks and heavy objects can be left in the tank. If you're renting a moving truck and you can't devote a trip just for the tank, the tank should be the last thing on the truck and the first thing off. __________________ “Corporations pay people just enough money so they won’t quit. People work just enough so they don’t get fired. What's that about?” – Christopher Walken, Pool Hall Junkies

06-09-2005, 10:29 AM	#7
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,704 Blog Entries: 6	styrofoam or cooler, whichever you prefer. I prefer coolers because they are insolated a little better. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

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06-09-2005, 09:54 AM	#3
Beerleader Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Age: 35 Posts: 382	Thanks and yeah I have heard those same things but just unsure exactly how I should go about it! Hopefully someone has done this themselves and can tell me how they did it successfully! It is a scary thing hehe

06-09-2005, 10:07 AM	#5
Huugs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London UK Age: 23 Posts: 253	Too keep your filter media wet could you put it in the bag with the fish? that way the ammonia and nitrite levels would be kept under control a bit aswell. Or does it not matter with this length of time?

06-09-2005, 07:48 PM	#9
Beerleader Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Age: 35 Posts: 382	cool thanks everyone for the input, as soon as we heard we may get a transfer I started freaking out heheh. Yeah its 6 ++ months away but I need to prepare! I'd die if I lost any of them...and I had no clue on exactly how to move them. But all this info definitey helps! I appreciate it! One more question??...If I use R.O. water do I still need to keep as much of the tank water as possible? I noticed a few of you guys said too due to the possible change in water in the other state...but if I use R.O. is it as important?

06-09-2005, 07:57 PM	#10
Beerleader Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Age: 35 Posts: 382	Also another question regarding my arrowana, right now he's only six inches but he has almost doubled in size in just one month. Will he keep growing this fast? if so in 6++ months when I move will he be too large to bag?? And if so how in the world am I gonna go about moving him? I don't wanna give him away to a LFS or anyone really, so how do ppl move large fish? I dunno how large he'll be by then hopefully not too big. Thanks again!

06-09-2005, 08:11 PM	#11
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,704 Blog Entries: 6	yes it is still important, RO water only takes out TDS and a few other things, you still have ions in the water, different pH and other factors that RO water doesn't cure. Rubbermaid containers work well for large fish. As long as they are food grade they usually are OK for your fish. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

06-09-2005, 08:17 PM	#12
Beerleader Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Age: 35 Posts: 382	Ok then I'll make sure I keep as much water as possible, never even thought about that really...so thanks again! And I guess I'll be investing in a large rubbermaid(food grade) then because at this rate that lil sucker is gonna be really big! And Phhhttt to the person that told me he'd be about 2 or 3 feet at best..now I can laugh hehe

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