How do I make reefapooza corals and fish live for 24+ hours in bag.

[DoggoThePuffer]

So I am going to Reefapalooza in NJ this year for my birthday! I am going to get a lot of fish and corals for my tank, but the problem is, I’m going for the 2 days, how do I make the fish I purchased and corals survive in the insulated foam box I got? Thank you!

 

[Flippers4pups]

So I am going to Reefapalooza in NJ this year for my birthday! I am going to get a lot of fish and corals for my tank, but the problem is, I’m going for the 2 days, how do I make the fish I purchased and corals survive in the insulated foam box I got? Thank you!

See if the sellers would hold them till the second day for pickup. That cuts down time in the bag.

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

See if the sellers would hold them till the second day for pickup. That cuts down time in the bag.

I don’t known though if my dad will take me the second day. I asked him and he said it’s pointless since the only new thing are speakers....

 

[mtraylor]

You may want to find a LFS that can house them for you. They may charge a small fee, but will be less stressful for the fish.

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

You may want to find a LFS that can house them for you. They may charge a small fee, but will be less stressful for the fish.

But that will stress the corals out more, different water quality, then they go into my tank with probably different water quality not in a bad way. Doesn’t that kill corals since they are so fragile?

 

[mtraylor]

I'm only referring to your fish. The fish might run out of oxygen if you try and let them last for 48 hours. Especially if they are big fish. At 48 hours I"m sure they will go to the bathroom in the bag for sure, now you will have other issues as water chemistry diminishes. So you will be pushing it for the fish and stressing them out.

For corals on the other hand. If they are packed well with sufficient oxygen....48hours will probably be ok. I have had corals delayed one day during shipping and the corals are ok. Some people put a couple carbon/nitrate pellets in the bottom of the bag. Not sure if its needed. Just keep the temperature constant in the bags and you should be ok. My main concern would be the packing of the corals. My guess is that they would not be packed with oxygen. I would think they would need some for 48 hour trip, but I guess it would depend on how much water they are packed in.

Good luck.

 

[Leadfooted]

Buy the corals day one and for you I suggest splurging on the Building an obsession frag rack holder. I think @joshporksandwhic will have some. Take a small batter powered air pump with you on the trip. Try to get a separate small bag of water morning of day two (yes , just Salt water from a vendor), enough to fill the frag holder. After day one of show, place frags all in the rack and when you get to your hotel room, place the air pump in the rack. The next morning , get your fresh bag of water and replace your Frag rack water with 50% or more. Be carful and try to make sure both water temps are the same. Water from the show can be quite cold I've found. There's probably better option but this one comes to mind

 

[Eva Rose]

I don’t known though if my dad will take me the second day. I asked him and he said it’s pointless since the only new thing are speakers....

Ask your dad if he would take you back the second day since it would protect your investments/purchases in fish and coral. Explain to him you are grateful for the opportunity to see the health of your purchases in person and don’t want to jeopardize that.
As @Flippers4pups suggested:
Most vendors are happy to hold your fish , then pack them on the second day. Also on the second day some vendors are willing to negotiate on prices of certain items**, where they still make their profit but not have to pack as much. On the second day you can look at things you might have missed or not had time to examine -**like food products, equipment etc.

 

[HB AL]

Why not just go the 1st day get your stuff and drive home.

 

[Rakie]

I don’t known though if my dad will take me the second day. I asked him and he said it’s pointless since the only new thing are speakers....

Last minute deals. The best things sell first minute of the show, the most expensive things sell last minute for half price.

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

I'm only referring to your fish. The fish might run out of oxygen if you try and let them last for 48 hours. Especially if they are big fish. At 48 hours I"m sure they will go to the bathroom in the bag for sure, now you will have other issues as water chemistry diminishes. So you will be pushing it for the fish and stressing them out.

For corals on the other hand. If they are packed well with sufficient oxygen....48hours will probably be ok. I have had corals delayed one day during shipping and the corals are ok. Some people put a couple carbon/nitrate pellets in the bottom of the bag. Not sure if its needed. Just keep the temperature constant in the bags and you should be ok. My main concern would be the packing of the corals. My guess is that they would not be packed with oxygen. I would think they would need some for 48 hour trip, but I guess it would depend on how much water they are packed in.

Good luck.

For the fish, they have breathable bags on amazon, would they be useful? And thank you too for the coral part!! I was worried because my LFS said the max they can survive is 3 hours. Most of the times they don’t know what they are saying, but thanks again!

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

Why not just go the 1st day get your stuff and drive home.

I would but it’s a 4 hour ride... and my dad would definitely say no.

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

Ask your dad if he would take you back the second day since it would protect your investments/purchases in fish and coral. Explain to him you are grateful for the opportunity to see the health of your purchases in person and don’t want to jeopardize that.
As @Flippers4pups suggested:
Most vendors are happy to hold your fish , then pack them on the second day. Also on the second day some vendors are willing to negotiate on prices of certain items**, where they still make their profit but not have to pack as much. On the second day you can look at things you might have missed or not had time to examine -**like food products, equipment etc.

Ok! I think he would be fine with that! Thank you!!!!

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

Buy the corals day one and for you I suggest splurging on the Building an obsession frag rack holder. I think @joshporksandwhic will have some. Take a small batter powered air pump with you on the trip. Try to get a separate small bag of water morning of day two (yes , just Salt water from a vendor), enough to fill the frag holder. After day one of show, place frags all in the rack and when you get to your hotel room, place the air pump in the rack. The next morning , get your fresh bag of water and replace your Frag rack water with 50% or more. Be carful and try to make sure both water temps are the same. Water from the show can be quite cold I've found. There's probably better option but this one comes to mind

Arnt corals sensitive to water change? And the problem is I’m not getting only frags, I’m going to get bubble coral, and a few frags and other corals.

 

[HB AL]

I would but it’s a 4 hour ride... and my dad would definitely say no.

I would explain the circumstances then ask him if you can go back on day 2 1st thing when they open and pick up your purchases from the vendors and get on the road. If that's outta the question then ask if you guys can go home after you buy everything on day 1, it never hurts to ask. If those options are off the table then I would just purchase corals only, and leave the fish buying for another time,and have the sellers put the corals in slightly larger bags or cups. Put the packages in insulated containers and bring some heat packs and a thermometer.

 

[mtraylor]

For the fish, they have breathable bags on amazon, would they be useful? And thank you too for the coral part!! I was worried because my LFS said the max they can survive is 3 hours. Most of the times they don’t know what they are saying, but thanks again!

Any bag that says breathable on it will be permeable. You will not be able to use that. If you are shipping fish you will need IMO at least a 5 mil plastic bag/bags double bagged. The only oxygen they will have will be in the water and what you provide in the bag. Once its used up, the bags will have to be opened and water changed out and new oxygen placed in the container for them to survive.

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

Any bag that says breathable on it will be permeable. You will not be able to use that. If you are shipping fish you will need IMO at least a 5 mil plastic bag/bags double bagged. The only oxygen they will have will be in the water and what you provide in the bag. Once its used up, the bags will have to be opened and water changed out and new oxygen placed in the container for them to survive.

Thanks for that! And can I bring an airator and put it in each bag ever now and then or will that make ammonia deadly???!

 

[SandJ]

Getting the fish and corals home is just the first step, you also have to work out what happens when you get home.

Adding a large bio load can have effects on your tank.
How long has your tank been set up?

When acquiring lots of livestock from numerous venders, you can end up with some undesirable pest and diseases.
Are you going to quarantine the fish and corals?

 

[DoggoThePuffer]

Getting the fish and corals home is just the first step, you also have to work out what happens when you get home.

Adding a large bio load can have effects on your tank.
How long has your tank been set up?

When acquiring lots of livestock from numerous venders, you can end up with some undesirable pest and diseases.
Are you going to quarantine the fish and corals?

I have 2 saltwater tanks.
10g : 2 months
55g: 6 months
Both have perfect water condition. But I have a canister filter with a lot of media in it to reduce ammonia too.

 

[SandJ]

I have 2 saltwater tanks.
10g : 2 months
55g: 6 months
Both have perfect water condition. But I have a canister filter with a lot of media in it to reduce ammonia too.

Are there any fish in the tank now?