Best way to move fish

[Jonney_boy]

I have a fully stock 100gal tank to move this weekend. The "actual" travel time between the 2 houses is approx 45 mins. But with take down + setup, I would expect 3-4 hours of "fish out of water" time. Tank is stocked with the usual array of catfishes, sucker fishes and discus


I do have a pickup, so hauling large amounts of water is not a problem (weight wise).

So, what is the best way to move the fish?

Should I go to the local fish shop and purchase a bunch of bags, bag all the fish and then transport them quickly (dropping them into a bathtub of warm water to keep warm once I get home?)

Or

Should I use 5 gal buckets and fill them 2/3 with tank water, then just drop the fish into there?

Or

Should I go and buy a full sized garbage can, fill it 2/3 full of water and just drop all the fish in there. With a large bucket/can, I have the option of running an heater + air pump for the duration of the transfer. (2 car batteries + large 1200w inverter will supply power during the move).

Any other suggestions???

[GreenGanja]

id go buckets more safe

[target]

I went with rubbermaid bins, filled 2/3 full. Net the fish out, and run a filter and heater in the bin while you take the rest down. Then transport, and plug in the filter and heater at the new place. No rush then to get the rest set up. Done that style of move a couple of times now.

[Adz1]

I went with Rubbermaid bins, filled 2/3 full. Net the fish out, and run a filter and heater in the bin while you take the rest down. Then transport, and plug in the filter and heater at the new place. No rush then to get the rest set up. Done that style of move a couple of times now.

Daniels way works really well.
I've also moved this way.
as well as a garbage can lined with a non scented bag filled with water.
then when you set it back up is just like you did a water change for the fish....

[Jonney_boy]

sounds good.. plastic tubs it is

As for the filters, is there anything I need to do to help keep the media alive? is it a lack of oxygen that kills them or is it the lack of ammonia to break down?? again, I need to keep it alive for a few hours......

will keeping the filters running in a tub of water while we break down the tank be better?

[target]

What type of filter? Mine are fluval 3+. If you can, just put the filter on the bin with the fish in it. If not, I think it should survive a couple of hours.

[Jonney_boy]

they are canister filters (two XP3's)

[Blackbar]

I've heard the (good) bacteria will last about four hours in the filter unplugged. I bet you can stretch it out a little longer than that.

[Jonney_boy]

If all goes well, it should be 2-3 hours to complete the move to the point where I can fire up the filters again..........

big say is this sat

So, am I missing anything here?

- Have truck to move the tank.
- Suction cups have been rented to help with moving the tank, 4 cups rated at 125lb each.. approx 200lb tank.
- rubbermate bin.. Purchased one large commercial bin... 45 gal capacity.... for the fish and 30'ish gallons of water...
- extra rubber made garbage can... to carry 20 gals of water.
- 100w heater to keep the water "warm".. 2 car batteries can keep the heater + air pump running for 3-4 hours.
- dolley to move the tank with
- a little bit of prime to keep the ammonia down in the tote during the move
- thermometer to monitor temp.
- two 5 gal pails + two 3 gal mop pails (all brand new) to carry the water to the truck and to hold the substrate at the end.
- few rubber made "trays" to hold addition substrate

unfortunally this is my first time moving a tank.. hope everything goes well

[gimlid]

I went with rubbermaid bins, filled 2/3 full. Net the fish out, and run a filter and heater in the bin while you take the rest down. Then transport, and plug in the filter and heater at the new place. No rush then to get the rest set up. Done that style of move a couple of times now.

rubbermaid all the way, combined with the iinverter you are set.