Moving outta state - suggestions??

[bombay_duc]

Any suggestions on moving a 65 gal reef+fishtank (8 fish + 2 shrimp + assorted cleaner crew). We plan to drive, which will be under 10h. My fiancee will be headed to the new place a week earlier. I was thinking of sending the RO unit with a 20 gal tank with her to set up a temp tank. Wonder how long 8 fish will last in a 5 gal bucket??
Bombay_Duc

 

[renogaw]

they will be fine, but may be better off in individual plastic baggies.

 

[eggs]

That's a good idea to set a temp. tank ahead of time, maybe she should could take some LR also.
I wouldn't put all 8 fish in 1 bucket, you could get high ammonia levels within 10 hours. I would put 2 fish per bucket if possible.
Don't feed the fish before traveling, that should help with ammonia.
Also, you can get oxygen tablets that dissolve in the water - I would use those if it's going to be 10 hours.

 

[renogaw]

i dunno about oxygen tablets... fish survive overnght shipping in plastic baggies without them.
but yes, i forgot to say don't feed them.

 

[msez2u]

Ohhhh. Please let us know how the move all goes. We are looking at moving to NE from OKC. I'm so scare about moving the tank I've told my husband I'm just staying here lol and he can move. For some reason he isn't going for that thought.

 

[browniebuck]

Depending on your relationship with your LFS (or their policy), you may be able to take your fish there and they will bag them for you as well as fill the bag the remainder of the way with oxygen (rather than the oxygen tablets). I would take this method, as they know how to bag fish better than I would (plus, if anything goes wrong, it isn't your fault!) If you have them all in bags, then you should be able to keep them all in one bucket.
Setting up the temporary tank is a good idea, though 8 fish in a 20 gallon tank shouldn't be done for very long at all (unless you stay on top of it with FREQUENT water changes, extra oxygen (air/circulation), and testing).
Good luck!

 

[eggs]

Having an LFS bag the fish with oxygen, like browniebuck mentioned, is a good idea - you'll need the oxygen.