moving across the country with african dwarf frogs, betta

[missdiane]

Hi all!
So in a few months I'll be moving from Nevada to Virginia - either autumn or spring for moderate temps while travelling. I will take my 4 African dwarf frogs, one betta, possibly dojo loach & some snails & shrimp. I'll un-plant my tanks & of course take the plants. What do you all think would be the least stressful method for my critters to make the trip? I'm thinking small covered containers with a plant or 2 thrown in, maybe a battery powered airstone, their own tank water at a low level, & all of this inside a closed cooler to maintain temperature. The trip will take 4 days & my hope is to carry their tank water with me to get a start at the new place. Should I use 1/2 original tank water & 1/2 new water. Will my bacteria be dead in that amount of time? It seems that live plants have helped shorten the cycling process in the past. Should I feed them at all during the trip? Should I keep the eco-complete to use again? How about my gravel? The pets involved are from several different tanks.
Any advice will be appreciated!
Thanks!
Diane

[childofiam]

I would put a battery powered air pump on a sponge filter, use stress guard and change the water by 50% everyday. Do not close them up in a cooler so to make sure they can get fresh air exchange. You can get heat pads to put inside the cooler but don't let them touch the water as that will heat the water to much.
A heavy Styrofoam cooler with lid that has hole cut in it will work well.

Richard

[Carl]

I agree with Richard's points.

If done correctly, you should be able to preserve the beneficial bacteria in the sponge filters.

I generally used all original water in the moving containers

I have more information here:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/08/aquarium-moving.html#moving

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Agree with the sponge filter. Also seems easier to just use SeaChem Stability to help the cycle then tansport water.

Welcome back btw.