how to transport fishes 1.5 hrs away?

viodea · 02/04/2009, 05:41 PM

I'm going to get 2 Bellus Angles from a not so local LFS about 1 to 1.5 hrs away. I want to find the best method to get them home safely.
Temperature here is kinda cold around 30-40 F but may be better this weekend.
I'm thinking about taking a 5Gal bucket with me. Cover them with plastic bag to prevent spill but insert an air stone there. Should I use a heater too?

Is there better way than this?

thanks

hamiltonguy · 02/04/2009, 05:49 PM

When I had to transfer my yellow mimic tang about 45mins in -15 to -20C (5 to -4 f). I filled up a bucket (about 3Gal) with my tank water, popped in a heater, put it on the floor and held on to it the entire time while my brother drove, and just drove really carefully as to not cause any spills.

cveverly · 02/04/2009, 05:49 PM

I used a cooler to transport fish about 4 hours. Add the air stone and keep the car warm.

bradbmbj · 02/04/2009, 05:59 PM

Ask your fishstore if he fills the bag with 100% oxygen, most good stores do.

viodea · 02/05/2009, 12:18 AM

I don't have a cooler big enough for it.
I kinda worry the temperature gets low even if filling the bag with 100% oxygen.
I guess I'll stick to my original plan.

RiverOtter · 02/05/2009, 07:57 AM

You can get a large ice chest for under $20 at Wally World. At the same store you can buy heat packs for your hands for about $1. While your there take a look at the fish dept and seee if they carry a battiery op. air stone.
I buy fish from areas up to 5 hours away and have never lost a fish going this way. The last time was 6 huge koi. I had to run 6 airstones. Every one made it home fine if just a little cramped.

Flightpipe · 02/05/2009, 08:24 AM

I just bought and transported stuff from an hour away yesterday. and when the bag felt a lil cold after a pit stop at a friends I just turned on the heaters in my truck. I had some inverts and a clam in bags in a Styrofoam box, and i put them on the floor so the the air that blows from the foot heater blew in the box. I did not have it cranked up all the way but i felt the bags from time to time and they got warmer so i turned the heat down and everything was fine when i got home. Kinda ghetto but worked for me.

viodea · 02/05/2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RiverOtter
You can get a large ice chest for under $20 at Wally World. At the same store you can buy heat packs for your hands for about $1. While your there take a look at the fish dept and seee if they carry a battiery op. air stone.
I buy fish from areas up to 5 hours away and have never lost a fish going this way. The last time was 6 huge koi. I had to run 6 airstones. Every one made it home fine if just a little cramped.

what sizs of cooler do you use?
One down side a cooler may not able to fit in my car. I have to put it in the trunk... I don't like that idea.

Fizz71 · 02/05/2009, 08:57 AM

I really don't see 1.5 hours as all that bad a time, even if you don't have oxygen just have them pack a LOT of air in the bag, use the biggest they have. Stores like **Insert your nearest cheap department store here*** sell styrofoam coolers for cheap. If you really don't want to spend ANYTHING (not sure why if you're willing to drive 3 hours for a fish) then you can put it in a bucket on the floor where your vehicle will blow heat. Just monitor the temp as you go.

viodea · 02/05/2009, 09:58 AM

I don't mind spending money on cooler but I don't think it can fit inside my car. If I put it in the trunk, I can't tell if it gets cold or spill. That's why I don't like that idea.

RiverOtter · 02/05/2009, 10:26 AM

You can use any size cooler that will fit. One of the things I like about a cooler is that they are much more stable then a bucket.
I will use a soft sided cooler. They can be forced into tighter spaces. The only thing I do dif with one of those is toss a lanket on top to give it a little extra protection.

That being said, with only 1.5 hour drive I would get a cooler bag, have them pack with extra air and not plan on stoping till you get home.

1DeR9_3Hy · 02/05/2009, 10:49 AM

You guys have to keep in mind these fish often travel 1-3 days in a styro box with nothing more than some water.

1.5 hours is nothing to worry about unless the heat in your ride is broken.

viodea · 02/05/2009, 11:41 AM

I've heard Bellus are not good shipper. That's the reason for my precaution.

mehaffydr · 02/05/2009, 12:29 PM

1.5 hours is nothing as far as time in the bag so air stone should not be needed if store puts in o2
A cooler would be best so the water temp will stay as constant as possible.
As far as cooler it only has to be as big as the bags the fish are in I would think one of those small six pak coolers would work.
Also most fish store save the styro boxes they received the fish in and will most likly give you one of those.
And if that wont fit in your car mabye its time for a little spring cleaning

Sisterlimonpot · 02/05/2009, 12:36 PM

You know. My lfs is 1 hour away and when I first bought fish from them they gave me a Styrofoam container that they had laying around from a previous shipments (for free).

viodea · 02/05/2009, 01:51 PM

is it better to transport in a bag or container?

mehaffydr · 02/05/2009, 02:15 PM

I would use a bag and put that into a container for added security and easy to acclimate at home.Also if the container is a cooler it will help maintain temp.

Stormvillefish · 02/05/2009, 02:35 PM

1.5 hours nothing to worry about ... I brought home a misbar black clown and a flame angel from Roanoke VA to my house in Stormville, NY .... 8 hours ... they were doubled bagged and were placed inside a bucket on the backseat of my van. Got home ... acclimated them for an hour and released in my tank and they're doing fine ... and have been in the tank for three weeks now.

Rjukan · 02/05/2009, 04:13 PM

yeah, im agreeing with 1.5hr not being a problem. Definitely try to have them use 100% oxygen in the bag. I used to buy fish up at that fish place in PA and drive 2.5-3hrs back home and never had a problem. Albeit they were African cichlids not marine fish but that shouldnt matter much.

If temp is an issue, go to CVS, Walgreens, or something like that and they will have a styrofoam cooler for under 10 bucks. You can pick up a couple hand warmers there too and toss them in.

Juruense · 02/05/2009, 04:14 PM

cooler

Sisterlimonpot · 02/05/2009, 06:14 PM

call the fish store and ask if they have any extra styrofoam containers that they can give you. chances are they throw the things away all the time and aren't going to have a problem parting with one. and did I mention this earlier?? it's free.

falesdk · 02/05/2009, 10:03 PM

The most local grouping of decent fish stores is about a hour and a half away from me. My father and I tend to go on a day trip down to visit a few times a year, they always have extra styrofoam packing containers available for exactly that reason, and always throw them in for free. Fish have never had a problem surviving the ride home summer or winter. Even brought home a urchin in a 5 gallon bucket wth no lid and no bubbler, "he" rode on the floor on the passenger side and the heater in the car was fine for keeping the temp in the bucket stable. Don't worry about too much.

wondermidget · 02/05/2009, 10:13 PM

My LFS is an 1 1/2 away also. I just take one of the styrofoam boxes from a previous mail order and put the bags in it put the lid on and keep the heater in the truck on and they all make it home fine.

viodea · 02/06/2009, 09:32 AM

thank you all for your advice. I feel more comfortable now.

02/04/2009, 05:41 PM	#1
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	how to transport fishes 1.5 hrs away? I'm going to get 2 Bellus Angles from a not so local LFS about 1 to 1.5 hrs away. I want to find the best method to get them home safely. Temperature here is kinda cold around 30-40 F but may be better this weekend. I'm thinking about taking a 5Gal bucket with me. Cover them with plastic bag to prevent spill but insert an air stone there. Should I use a heater too? Is there better way than this? thanks

02/04/2009, 05:49 PM	#2
hamiltonguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Posts: 906	When I had to transfer my yellow mimic tang about 45mins in -15 to -20C (5 to -4 f). I filled up a bucket (about 3Gal) with my tank water, popped in a heater, put it on the floor and held on to it the entire time while my brother drove, and just drove really carefully as to not cause any spills. __________________ Knowledge, the only thing that's cheap in this hobby. Current Tank Info: 75G, RO NW-150 Skimmer, MP40W, MP20, 48" 4x54W TEK light, Mag 9.5, TLF 150 Bio Pellet Reactor, JBJ ATO

02/05/2009, 07:57 AM	#6
RiverOtter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Redding CA Posts: 166	You can get a large ice chest for under $20 at Wally World. At the same store you can buy heat packs for your hands for about $1. While your there take a look at the fish dept and seee if they carry a battiery op. air stone. I buy fish from areas up to 5 hours away and have never lost a fish going this way. The last time was 6 huge koi. I had to run 6 airstones. Every one made it home fine if just a little cramped. __________________ 50 gal reef 5m. old Starting a 38 gal seahorse tank Current Tank Info: 50 gal reef 55gl FW

02/05/2009, 08:24 AM	#7
Flightpipe Sea Turtles Love Me...... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL. Posts: 745	I just bought and transported stuff from an hour away yesterday. and when the bag felt a lil cold after a pit stop at a friends I just turned on the heaters in my truck. I had some inverts and a clam in bags in a Styrofoam box, and i put them on the floor so the the air that blows from the foot heater blew in the box. I did not have it cranked up all the way but i felt the bags from time to time and they got warmer so i turned the heat down and everything was fine when i got home. Kinda ghetto but worked for me. __________________ "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." Current Tank Info: 29 BC Reef

02/05/2009, 08:57 AM	#9
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I really don't see 1.5 hours as all that bad a time, even if you don't have oxygen just have them pack a LOT of air in the bag, use the biggest they have. Stores like Insert your nearest cheap department store here* sell styrofoam coolers for cheap. If you really don't want to spend ANYTHING (not sure why if you're willing to drive 3 hours for a fish) then you can put it in a bucket on the floor where your vehicle will blow heat. Just monitor the temp as you go. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

02/04/2009, 05:49 PM	#3
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	I used a cooler to transport fish about 4 hours. Add the air stone and keep the car warm.

02/04/2009, 05:59 PM	#4
bradbmbj Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 554	Ask your fishstore if he fills the bag with 100% oxygen, most good stores do.

02/05/2009, 12:18 AM	#5
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	I don't have a cooler big enough for it. I kinda worry the temperature gets low even if filling the bag with 100% oxygen. I guess I'll stick to my original plan.

02/05/2009, 09:58 AM	#10
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	I don't mind spending money on cooler but I don't think it can fit inside my car. If I put it in the trunk, I can't tell if it gets cold or spill. That's why I don't like that idea.

02/05/2009, 10:26 AM	#11
RiverOtter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Redding CA Posts: 166	You can use any size cooler that will fit. One of the things I like about a cooler is that they are much more stable then a bucket. I will use a soft sided cooler. They can be forced into tighter spaces. The only thing I do dif with one of those is toss a lanket on top to give it a little extra protection. That being said, with only 1.5 hour drive I would get a cooler bag, have them pack with extra air and not plan on stoping till you get home. __________________ 50 gal reef 5m. old Starting a 38 gal seahorse tank Current Tank Info: 50 gal reef 55gl FW

02/05/2009, 10:49 AM	#12
1DeR9_3Hy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,575	You guys have to keep in mind these fish often travel 1-3 days in a styro box with nothing more than some water. 1.5 hours is nothing to worry about unless the heat in your ride is broken. __________________ I hope it never catches on, I like having the oldest tank on here and I don't have to worry about calcification, bio pellets, Vodka dosing, DSBs, Chaetomorpha (I don't even know what that is) Carbonite hardness and all of these other things many people worry about. If I had to think about all of that stuff I would get a stroke. My test kit came in a wooden box and the directions say to keep in a cool chariott. I throw some food in the tank, wave hello to the fish and go out with my wife and have a nice glass of merlot with dinner. Have a great day but most of all, have fun. -PaulB Current Tank Info: 27 Gallon DAS softy/fish reef

02/05/2009, 11:41 AM	#13
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	I've heard Bellus are not good shipper. That's the reason for my precaution.

02/05/2009, 12:29 PM	#14
mehaffydr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntsville AL. Posts: 144	1.5 hours is nothing as far as time in the bag so air stone should not be needed if store puts in o2 A cooler would be best so the water temp will stay as constant as possible. As far as cooler it only has to be as big as the bags the fish are in I would think one of those small six pak coolers would work. Also most fish store save the styro boxes they received the fish in and will most likly give you one of those. And if that wont fit in your car mabye its time for a little spring cleaning Last edited by mehaffydr; 02/05/2009 at 12:35 PM.

02/05/2009, 12:36 PM	#15
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	You know. My lfs is 1 hour away and when I first bought fish from them they gave me a Styrofoam container that they had laying around from a previous shipments (for free). __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

02/05/2009, 01:51 PM	#16
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	is it better to transport in a bag or container?

02/05/2009, 02:15 PM	#17
mehaffydr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntsville AL. Posts: 144	I would use a bag and put that into a container for added security and easy to acclimate at home.Also if the container is a cooler it will help maintain temp. Last edited by mehaffydr; 02/05/2009 at 02:28 PM.

02/05/2009, 02:35 PM	#18
Stormvillefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 152	1.5 hours nothing to worry about ... I brought home a misbar black clown and a flame angel from Roanoke VA to my house in Stormville, NY .... 8 hours ... they were doubled bagged and were placed inside a bucket on the backseat of my van. Got home ... acclimated them for an hour and released in my tank and they're doing fine ... and have been in the tank for three weeks now.

02/05/2009, 04:13 PM	#19
Rjukan Day Dreamer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SINY Posts: 625	yeah, im agreeing with 1.5hr not being a problem. Definitely try to have them use 100% oxygen in the bag. I used to buy fish up at that fish place in PA and drive 2.5-3hrs back home and never had a problem. Albeit they were African cichlids not marine fish but that shouldnt matter much. If temp is an issue, go to CVS, Walgreens, or something like that and they will have a styrofoam cooler for under 10 bucks. You can pick up a couple hand warmers there too and toss them in. __________________ - Pete Current Tank Info: 60 gal Deep Blue cube, AquaC EV180, Kessil H80 fuge, A360WE TB

02/05/2009, 04:14 PM	#20
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	cooler

02/05/2009, 06:14 PM	#21
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	call the fish store and ask if they have any extra styrofoam containers that they can give you. chances are they throw the things away all the time and aren't going to have a problem parting with one. and did I mention this earlier?? it's free. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

02/05/2009, 10:03 PM	#22
falesdk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 498	The most local grouping of decent fish stores is about a hour and a half away from me. My father and I tend to go on a day trip down to visit a few times a year, they always have extra styrofoam packing containers available for exactly that reason, and always throw them in for free. Fish have never had a problem surviving the ride home summer or winter. Even brought home a urchin in a 5 gallon bucket wth no lid and no bubbler, "he" rode on the floor on the passenger side and the heater in the car was fine for keeping the temp in the bucket stable. Don't worry about too much. __________________ Its an obsession when you can't buy a new fish, because last month you bought a new coral instead of shoes, and they won't let you back in barefoot. Current Tank Info: Biocube 32

02/05/2009, 10:13 PM	#23
wondermidget Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cadillac, MI (BFE) Posts: 279	My LFS is an 1 1/2 away also. I just take one of the styrofoam boxes from a previous mail order and put the bags in it put the lid on and keep the heater in the truck on and they all make it home fine. __________________ Cheri Current Tank Info: 85 gal. reef.

02/06/2009, 09:32 AM	#24
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	thank you all for your advice. I feel more comfortable now.