8 hr. fish transport

JonPhillips · Jun 6, 2016

thinking about this. Seller has about half the journey, me the other half.

Here's what's being transported:

12" Queen Trigger
9" Clown Trigger
4" Undulated Trigger
9" Miniatus Grouper
(2) 4" Domino Damsels

Never mind where they go when (if) they get home. I'll have that ready.

I am thinking large rubbermaid containers, airstones, and heat.

Seller said he would stop feeding a few days before trip and match his salinity to mine.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks, friends!

DeniseAndy · Jun 6, 2016

I would use some large coolers. This will help with the temp regulation too. Airstones are a great idea. Keep some prime on hand.

JonPhillips · Jun 6, 2016

DeniseAndy said:
I would use some large coolers. This will help with the temp regulation too. Airstones are a great idea. Keep some prime on hand.

What about a large stock tank in the bed of the truck? Thanks!

DeniseAndy · Jun 6, 2016

I would worry about movement in the back. Also, each in a separate cooler would keep ammonia issues lower too. I would not transport that large of fish together in any form. Maybe the damsels, but more than one of those large guys together would be asking for ammonia issues.

Stock tank? Like a huge Rubbermaid? 80g or 100g would work to transport all together I suppose. I would make sure to cover and then you would need to worry about heat, not cool at this time of year.

JonPhillips · Jun 7, 2016

DeniseAndy said:
I would worry about movement in the back. Also, each in a separate cooler would keep ammonia issues lower too. I would not transport that large of fish together in any form. Maybe the damsels, but more than one of those large guys together would be asking for ammonia issues.

Stock tank? Like a huge Rubbermaid? 80g or 100g would work to transport all together I suppose. I would make sure to cover and then you would need to worry about heat, not cool at this time of year.

Yes, temp would be my main concern with a big tub riding in the back. Might I be successful in picking up some fish shipping bags and tying them off and just keeping them in the cab? I suppose I would want to copy whatever fish stores do when they ship...

DeniseAndy · Jun 7, 2016

Problem is the size of fish and ammonia build up. Stores may ship, but you also get some deaths. Finding bags big enough and it would probably be easier to get coolers.

You can always reuse the coolers for other things too. 8 hours is a long time in little water. Not feeding will help, but you are still going to deal with possible ammonia burn.

Naiad · Jun 7, 2016

You would be best with 5 to 6 larger coolers. Damsels could be transported together. Air for each. I wouldn't worry about heaters this time of year. Just don't blast your ac at them. Be sure that they go into fresh water at the halfway point and you may even want to bring extra clean water and when you stop for gas or bathroom check ammonia lvls then if needed do a wc with prime.

maroun.c · Jun 7, 2016

U'll need to add oxygen in the bags or buckets somehow what would help a lot.

SeaMonkeys · Jun 7, 2016

I agree with Naiad. I moved an entire reef tank fish and all from Phoenix to Denver last year and had everything make it. Just make sure to do all the suggestions made by Naiad. Good Luck!

JonPhillips · Jun 7, 2016

DeniseAndy said:
Problem is the size of fish and ammonia build up. Stores may ship, but you also get some deaths. Finding bags big enough and it would probably be easier to get coolers.

You can always reuse the coolers for other things too. 8 hours is a long time in little water. Not feeding will help, but you are still going to deal with possible ammonia burn.

Thank you.

JonPhillips · Jun 7, 2016

SeaMonkeys said:
I agree with Naiad. I moved an entire reef tank fish and all from Phoenix to Denver last year and had everything make it. Just make sure to do all the suggestions made by Naiad. Good Luck!

Woah! BIG TIME!

JonPhillips · Jun 7, 2016

Naiad said:
You would be best with 5 to 6 larger coolers. Damsels could be transported together. Air for each. I wouldn't worry about heaters this time of year. Just don't blast your ac at them. Be sure that they go into fresh water at the halfway point and you may even want to bring extra clean water and when you stop for gas or bathroom check ammonia lvls then if needed do a wc with prime.

Sounds daily involved...Thank you!

Joshua_00030 · Jun 9, 2016

SeaMonkeys said:
I agree with Naiad. I moved an entire reef tank fish and all from Phoenix to Denver last year and had everything make it. Just make sure to do all the suggestions made by Naiad. Good Luck!

Amazing, I'll have to read through his comments before I consider my cross country fish transport.

Baldguy · Jun 11, 2016

I think you may be over thinking this. Fish are routinely shipped overnight for much longer than 8 hours, usually 16 hours. They are in the cargo holds of aircraft and the back of 18 wheelers in not the best of environments. They are often not treated gently. Eight hours in the back of a car would be a walk in the park. Big fish so big containers. Acclimation when you get home keeping ammonia and ph levels in mind.

nitrodude · Jun 11, 2016

Must be getting a deal if yoire driving 8 hours for some fish

If you havr an suv, a large rubbemade tub filled halfway or under (to stop splashing water from being on your floors)
And a power inverter to power a powerhead or two to keep water oxygenated. Prime to handle ammonia.
That should be good enough to get em home.

JonPhillips · Jun 12, 2016

Baldguy said:
I think you may be over thinking this. Fish are routinely shipped overnight for much longer than 8 hours, usually 16 hours. They are in the cargo holds of aircraft and the back of 18 wheelers in not the best of environments. They are often not treated gently. Eight hours in the back of a car would be a walk in the park. Big fish so big containers. Acclimation when you get home keeping ammonia and ph levels in mind.

Appreciate that. Just have a bad experience that I am constantly reliving...

JonPhillips · Jun 12, 2016

nitrodude said:
Must be getting a deal if yoire driving 8 hours for some fish

If you havr an suv, a large rubbemade tub filled halfway or under (to stop splashing water from being on your floors)
And a power inverter to power a powerhead or two to keep water oxygenated. Prime to handle ammonia.
That should be good enough to get em home.

Yeah, they are just such big beauties that it's hard to resist...must hide wallet...

tonto95 · Jun 12, 2016

A large sponge filter that has been cycled in a tank would help during the transport of the fish and would help with the ammonia. Using this also allows air into holding tanks.

JonPhillips · Jun 13, 2016

tonto95 said:
A large sponge filter that has been cycled in a tank would help during the transport of the fish and would help with the ammonia. Using this also allows air into holding tanks.

Thank you, sir!

ZoaCollector · Jun 14, 2016

Baldguy said:
I think you may be over thinking this. Fish are routinely shipped overnight for much longer than 8 hours, usually 16 hours. They are in the cargo holds of aircraft and the back of 18 wheelers in not the best of environments. They are often not treated gently. Eight hours in the back of a car would be a walk in the park. Big fish so big containers. Acclimation when you get home keeping ammonia and ph levels in mind.

Not true, the ph in a bag drops which protects the ammonia from becoming toxic. So bagging them is actually better[emoji6] as long as you use pure oxygen and add alittle prime or amquel to the water.
For the 12" one I'd use a 32" bag double or tripled up. Use plastic zip ties to close it up.
Triggers are notorious for biting the bags and popping them so id have extra stuff ready.
Oh and put all bags in styro container to keep temp stable.