What would be the best way to move my 2 Oscars 8'' & 5'' & a 10'' Pleco?

Question

We will be making a 1100 mile move.I will be driving staight though.

Answer 1

I've moved more then any one person should, and one thing I've learned along the way - bags are great. The fish store bags fish, the breeders bag fish, and the keeper should consider it too.

Bags are easy - you can trap water and air in them and not worry about sloshing water, battery operated equipment, or heavy, awkward containers.

1)As mentioned, don't feed the fish for three or four days before the move, to clear their systems.

2)Instead of bringing all the aquarium water with me (talk about a pain, like we have nothing else to think about on a move), I prefer to spend the week before the move doing water changes daily, that way by move day it's nice and clean and there will be no shock to the fish when the tank is set up with new water on the other end.

3) Get yourself real fish bags - they are taller then common household types and are able to hold more water and air. Remember - big bags for big fish, and always double bag. Triple bag for that spiny pleco. Fill the bag about 1/3 with tank water, put in the fish (one per bag), then twist from the top like the fish store does to trap the air, and tie it off tightly.

4) Now that all the fish are in bags, put these bags in coolers - this will keep the temperature stable and the fish in the dark, which makes them more comfortable. Someone once remarked 'never put the fish in a cooler or it will make them cold' to a post like this before, not understanding a cooler is merely insulated and will keep temperature stable, warm or cold.

5)Bag the filter media the same way, that way the bacteria will be 100% on the other end.

6) I like to put any decorations in a bin with a tight fitted lid, that way everything is still wet at the other end of the move.

7) The fish will be fine in the bag for up to 24 hours. If you were to bring the fish to the fish store and have them bag them using their oxygen tanks, they can go 48 hours or longer.

8) On the other end, set up the tank, dechlorinate the water, and turn on all the equipment. Try to use water close to the desired temp right out of the tap, that way you don't need to spend time heating it. Letting the filters and pumps run for an hour or two will aerate the water, and ready it for the fish. Float them for a bit and pour them in.

I've moved countless times using this method for fish big and small and never lost a fish. Good luck whichever method you choose.

Answer 2

Put some stress coating (Am Quel)n the aquarium water. Put them in a rubbermaid container with as much water as you can. NO TOP. Purchase a battery operated air pump so you have air circulating in the water. Make it as dark as possible as to not stress the fish further. I would not feed them 3 days prior to leaving. That would conserve the energy by not having to digest the food in my thoughts. Don't forget to keep some cultivated substrate/ filter media fresh so when you start your new tank you are not cycling it again from scratch putting more stress on the fish.
I do recommend you just find someone local who can take them. Making a trip of that length will put the fish in greater stress then they can withstand.

www.txholeyrocks.com

Answer 3

You can put the fish in styrofome coolers. Make sure they don't leak first.

A regular cooler or 5 - gallon bucket can be used too.
Styrofome is much better though.....it is softer if the fish hit the sides when going over a bump.

Also....make sure that the fish have enough water and the temp doesn't change too much. Don't feed them a couple days before the move so they won't "pollute" their water as much.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 4

I recently moved my tank, but it was only a two hour drive. I filled a solid plastic tub with the water from my tank. You could purchase a Portable Battery Powered Air Pump for about $18. Or you can invest in a battery backup and keep the air pump & heater running.

Answer 5

you could leave the tank half empty and leave the fish inside and keep a tight lid. you might want to put a cooler around the tank to try to keep the temperature as stable as possible. 1100 miles is a lot!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!

Answer 6

Hope you are using three containers for fish. and you would want solid color containers cause the containers are clear they will be in distress and you don't want that because then they can die.
good luck