Transporting Fish???

Question

Next weekend I am transporting fish from Greeley-Denver, about an 11/2-2 hr drive. There r the following fish:
-2 white cloud minnows
-3 bronze cories
-2 peppered cories
-2 blue&red columbian tetras
-2 serpae tetras
-1 pleco(4")
-1 chinese alagae eater(3")
-2 sunset platies
-1 red dalmation platy
-3 candy platies
-3 dalmation mollies
-1 balloon molly
How should I transport them, in containers or zipbloc bags or something else? I have a small cooler, one 5 gallon bucket, a bunch of tubaware, and zibloc bags that I could use.All the fish except the chinese alagae eater get along with others.
Please Help!!! :)
Also, can anyone give me an article to fishless cycling?
THANKS!!!!

Correction, I have TWO large coolers, about 21/2 or 3ft lon by 1 wide proably, and 1 small one I believe (about 5''by a foot I'm guessing)

Answer 1

I would hit the fish store and ask to buy some bags. Most stores will give you a small handful if you are a regular customer or they may charge a small fee. While you are there you could ask to buy one or two shipping boxes. Bag the fish much like they would at the pet store and then turn that bag over into a second bag and tie it as well. I would only put 1-2 fish per bag and only one of the larger fish per bag. Leave as much air as possible in the bags and use just enough water for the fish to sit up right.

Remember, wholesalers and fish stores routinely ship fish for 24 hours or more in just this way, only they usually pack the fish tightly into bags and then use oxygen to make yup for the crowding. Your fish would easily be fine for 24 hours packed this way. Use the bucket, cooler and the shipping boxes to protect the bags from getting poked and from sudden temperature changes. I really wouldn't trust Zip-locs for this, I have seen them leak too many times.

Here's the link you wanted:
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

Have a safe trip for both you and your fish!

MM

Answer 2

What I would do is take the 5 gallon cooler and line it with a plastic garbage back. Fill it with water from the tank and put the fish in. How large is your tank? This will be confined quarters I'm fairly sure your tank is at least 30 gallons so you might put the mollies and Chinese algae eater in a separate space.

Anyway. Either way get some bag buddies (Jungle brand) they'll put oxygen and a sedative in the water. You might also consider getting a battery operated air pump too.

Answer 3

First of all, I hope you have an appropriate size tank for all those fish. Keep the Chinese Algae Eater in a separate ziploc bag, and mix the others in plastic bags as well. You can put some of the fish in the bucket, but some of the water might spill. Put the plastic bags in the cooler to maintain the temperature. Try to put the cooler as close to you as possible to ensure that you can see the fish. Never put the plastic bags in the sunlight, except for the one with the algae eaters. The sunlight will grow algae, which they can eat. Hope this helps!

~ZTM

Answer 4

I'm not too familiar with all those different species, but the typical rule is that you must separate them. (especially the more aggressive species) Plastic baggies have a set amount of oxygen and will cause ammonia buildup. Watertight containers would probably be best. If it's a 1-2 hour drive it seems that it would be okay to use baggies, though to be safe I'd personally use a larger container with more oxygen and water. Here are two sites that give tips on transporting fish.

Answer 5

wow,,, thats a lot of fish and i think you should put them in a contsiner and make sure to not warm the water up and fry them!... good luck

Answer 6

yeah i guess magicman is right, that's what I'd do if I had to do that.

Answer 7

i agree with magicman