Questions about Transport

[Lily]

Hi--

I'm planning to transport my two large goldfish (about 6-7" in length). It will be a 3-1/2 hr drive. I was told by someone at a local aquarium store to only use Igloo coolers for such situations. However, I found a thread on here from 2008 in which Carl suggests using Rubbermaid containers or Coleman. Are these still acceptable, and does anyone find Igloo to indeed be safe?

It was mentioned in this thread that the containers be sterile. Does that simply mean rinsing it in hot water and letting it air dry? 

I will have to be downsizing from a 60 gallon to a 40 gallon. Space in my vehicle will be very limited as well. Could I get away with taking 20 gallons (or even less) of the existing water? How low could I go? 

It also was recommended to me to put a couple of air pumps in the cooler. If the ride will be rather bumpy (at least for the second half of the ride), would one pump suffice? 

I already do have a bottle of Methlyene Blue (in the old thread using this was recommended). If I should use this, at what dose? I plan to put in a Wonder Shell as well.

Thank you so much

[devonjohnsgard]

Any cooler is fine really. All are food safe and really, that short term it doesn't matter

sterile... hot water is ok. Vinegar is good... 1/20 bleach solution is better.

Fresh tap water would be fine for transport, assuming it what you've been filling your tank with, but the idea of taking some tank water is reseeding your new tank when you get it to where your going. I would personally try to keep my filter seeded by keeping it wet and maybe trying to get the air stone next to it. The good bacteria starts during off around 4 hours generally.

MB dose, I would just dose the recommended dose on the back of the bottle. WS is a good idea. Will help any stress that tries to build up.

[Carl]

Using a battery powered pump during transport is recommended too.

Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/MILLIONAIRAIRPUMP.html#battery

Here is more about aquarium moving:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/08/aquarium-moving.html

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

right didn't really answer this question... one air pump is fine.

[Lily]

Thank you so much for your help.

This term "seeding" is new to me. What exactly does that mean?

Devonjohnsgard, are you saying that more importantly I should try to keep alive the bacteria on the Hydro Sponge and in the other filter (Fluval), rather than worry too much about how much of the old tank water I can tow along?

[devonjohnsgard]

Apr 9, 2017 13:16:17 GMT -5 Lily said:

Thank you so much for your help.

This term "seeding" is new to me. What exactly does that mean?

Devonjohnsgard, are you saying that more importantly I should try to keep alive the bacteria on the Hydro Sponge and in the other filter (Fluval), rather than worry too much about how much of the old tank water I can tow along?

Yup, that's what I'm saying

[Lily]

Whew, what a relief. Thanks again.

[Lily]

One more question!

Looking at coolers online right now... Some of them are listed as having a "stain and odor resistant liner." Should this be of any concern? The material of these coolers is simply listed as "plastic."

[Carl]

Apr 23, 2017 17:29:38 GMT -5 Lily said:

One more question!

Looking at coolers online right now... Some of them are listed as having a "stain and odor resistant liner." Should this be of any concern? The material of these coolers is simply listed as "plastic."

Likely this means the plastic is less absorbent and this is likely a better plastic.

Either way, I would also suggest a cleaning first using brine/salt water

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

And we are only talking like 4-12 hours of use... I would think that's more a long term thing. You'll be fine.

[Lily]

OK, thanks. I found one in Walmart today that looked like a good choice. Didn't buy it yet. One more question: The cooler I like says that it has "UV Guard." Do you know if that is safe as well?

[bettarescue]

Hehe, anything to sell a product, bless America! I have seen this on items as well, and have come to understand that it means it won't get brittle and crack in the sun and or/resists the quick heating by direct sunlight. Either way, it will not hurt your fish babies as long as you clean it like you planned!

I agree with Carl and Devon on the MB and Wondershell in the transport water, it has helped my fish through some rough moves! Or if you have a medicated WS you can chip off a good chunk and use it instead (has the same stuff but has other meds as well).

Keeping the amount of water is a personal choice, and depending on how far your moving and how dif the local water will be, will help you decide. Keeping the filter is what seeds the new tank, as your BB clings to surfaces and very little will be found in the water column. The "old tank water" is to help acclimate and adjust your fish to the new water peramiters as you mix it with the new from the new home. I always use my test kit and check the tank water right before I pack them up. Then also check the new water when I get to where I move. Some places have ammonia straight out of the tap, some water (like mine) comes out hard as rocks with a PH of 8.2, so if you check right out of tap you know how large of a swing you're going to be dealing with since you have your previous numbers, and the new info right in front of you.

[devonjohnsgard]

Apr 28, 2017 15:37:11 GMT -5 Lily said:

OK, thanks. I found one in Walmart today that looked like a good choice. Didn't buy it yet. One more question: The cooler I like says that it has "UV Guard." Do you know if that is safe as well?

Yes that's fine.

[Lily]

Thank you, bettarescue and devonjohnsgard. I thought of yet another question: If I'm probably going with a 12 gallon cooler to transport the 2 goldfish (which are about 6-7" in length, should I put the filters in a separate container of water and with an air pump?

[devonjohnsgard]

May 1, 2017 19:28:25 GMT -5 Lily said:

Thank you, bettarescue and devonjohnsgard. I thought of yet another question: If I'm probably going with a 12 gallon cooler to transport the 2 goldfish (which are about 6-7" in length, should I put the filters in a separate container of water and with an air pump?

I think that's good thinking. Fish would need the room.

[Carl]

May 1, 2017 19:28:25 GMT -5 Lily said:

Thank you, bettarescue and devonjohnsgard. I thought of yet another question: If I'm probably going with a 12 gallon cooler to transport the 2 goldfish (which are about 6-7" in length, should I put the filters in a separate container of water and with an air pump?

I would though keep an air stone with the goldfish run by a battery air pump or using an inverter to run an AC air pump

Further Information:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/08/aquarium-moving.html

Carl

[Lily]

Thank you so much. I'm sorry but I keep coming up with questions..!!

I ordered pump #B-11 a couple days ago; already own a small Marina brand battery-operated air pump. I was thinking I'd use #B-11 in with the fish in the cooler, and (what I'm guessing will be) the least powerful one (the Marina) in with the container which will hold the filters. How does that sound?

Should the lid not be fully shut on the cooler, or would the fish be fine as long as there's an air pump running in there?

Also, does the container which will hold the filters need to be dark as well? (not a see-through plastic if possible?)

[devonjohnsgard]

May 4, 2017 20:17:22 GMT -5 Lily said:

Thank you so much. I'm sorry but I keep coming up with questions..!!

I ordered pump #B-11 a couple days ago; already own a small Marina brand battery-operated air pump. I was thinking I'd use #B-11 in with the fish in the cooler, and (what I'm guessing will be) the least powerful one (the Marina) in with the container which will hold the filters. How does that sound?

Should the lid not be fully shut on the cooler, or would the fish be fine as long as there's an air pump running in there?

Also, does the container which will hold the filters need to be dark as well? (not a see-through plastic if possible?)

That sounds fine. I would use a lid, just to help with water not splashing for any reason. The filters would be fine in clear plastic. It's more long term when something like that would become a problem.

[Carl]

I would keep the lid closed, but leave a crack for air to escape.

As per which air pump is more powerful between these two, I believe they are both about equal

Carl

[Lily]

I think this is the last question (though I think you may have basically answered it early):

Take or leave the current tank gravel? (leave b/c of reseeding issues...?)

Also...been meaning to ask if I haven't already in another thread: What substrate is best suited to goldfish?

Thank You again!