we got an aquarium today and we dont know how to get the fish from the petstore to our house without freezing to death in such cold weather? And any tips on fish care is helpful too!!!!!
Thanks!
2007-02-02 13:42:25 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
IF YOUR CAR HAS HEAT YOU SHOULD BE FINE. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER WONT DRASTICALLY CHANGE TO FREEZING FROM THE SHORT TRIPS FROM PET SHOP TO CAR TO CAR TO HOUSE.
2007-02-02 13:48:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
First of all, if you got the aquarium today, no fish should be going into it. It must go thru a cycle process.
Here is a web page since I am tired of typing the steps to setting up tanks. 10th time this week.
http://www.fishlore.com/FirstTankSetup.htm
Ok to keep them from freezing, they won't freeze if you are taking them directly home. They don't go in the trunk. Hold them on your lap or keep them in the front of the vehicle. Another good way is to take a personal cooler you a small one and set the bags into the cooler to keep them at an average temperature. If you are at the store buying fish, they are your last stop and last purchase. GO DIRECTLY HOME! Especially in extreamly cold or hot weather. You do not want to shock your fish more than need be. Also in the colder temps, float your fish a few minutes longer than normal to make up for the temp loss in the car.
Your new tank has not cycled water, plugged in with filters and light (read the web page) and you should not be getting fish yet.
2007-02-02 22:18:23 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What everyone is saying about the cycling is very important, but I do have to scoff a bit at several of the elaborate plans for getting fish home. I live in Alaska, so I know these work no matter how cold it is. Bring about two or three paper bags like you'd carry a sack lunch in and a scarf. You can grab a little hand heater - the type you crumble and they heat? - If you're walking. Wrap the bag of water in the scarf, slip in bags, add heater if need be, and you're set.
Honestly, if you're just going from store to car and home, you really shouldn't need anything more than the brown paper bag. It's very good insulation.
2007-02-02 23:45:12 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be a bit tricky sometimes but nothing a little planing can't cure. Just take a small cooler into the store with you and place the bags of fish in it before you leave the store. That will keep them plenty warm for the trip home.
As far as general fish tips are concerned the best one I can offer is to buy a fish book. You can get pretty good basic books at better pet stores, book stores or online. While you can do a web search and read up on basic care, a book is always handy to have around and will answer questions you never thought of asking.
The Aquarium Fish Handbook by Dick Mills and Derek Lambert is pretty good.
You and Your Aquarium by Dick Mills is also good.
Aquarium Atlas ( A series of several books) by Dr. Rudiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch is somewhat expensive but worth every penny
2007-02-02 21:51:25 · answer #4 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Best and easy way !!
Fish are packed in a plastic bag and fill with oxygen or air.
Just wrap the bag with 3~4 layer of news-paper and put that in another bag.
This will keep the temperature stable for some time 2~ 3 hours.
Get home quick.
2007-02-02 22:52:43 · answer #5 · answered by Pranot K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get the fish yet! www.aqua-reliable.co.nr has a good article on CYCLING the tank first so as you fish don't die. When transporting your fish home, you can put a tiny heater in the bag, either given to you by the pet store or you can get tiny ones at walmart, and you can also keep the fish in a small cooler.
2007-02-02 23:09:37 · answer #6 · answered by Flames Fan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, you need to let the tank have time to set up and get thru the initial ammonia/nitrate cycle. This can happen in about 7-10 days. Get a testing kit to make sure things are in the correct range. As far as getting the fish home ok, you can take another bag with you, and a tshirt to wrap the fishbag in. As long as your trip is not too long, you should be ok. Good luck
2007-02-02 21:47:39 · answer #7 · answered by Unforgiven Shadow 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well i have some fish and i got to say it is a hassle if you walk but if you need to just ask for a lift from someone its not that bad and if you can give them like 5 bucks for being your taxi and just make sure you have at least 3 months of filters and change them every month ohh and never ever put soap in the aquarium i learned that the hard way. ^^
2007-02-02 21:52:29 · answer #8 · answered by cobras_blood3 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you haven't bought the fish yet, don't!! You're just asking to kill them off if you don't cycle your tank first. It involves pure household ammonia, some test kits, and a little patience. Your fish will be so much healthier and less frustrating for you if you do this. There's an article on how to do it here:
2007-02-02 22:07:53 · answer #9 · answered by ceci9293 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Use a small cooler - they work as insulation both ways. Can't leave them outside or walk 30 blocks with them like that; but it will do for from store to car & car to house.
2007-02-02 21:46:07 · answer #10 · answered by UNITool 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
keep the car hot and take a small cooler to put the fish in make sure that it is warm in side like real warm towels
2007-02-02 21:48:13 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋