How to transport from LFS (3 hours away!)

DanangMonkey · 02/06/2013, 03:56 PM

I will be visiting a not-so-local LFS located in a major metro area while conducting some other business. Store is about 2.5-3 hours away but direct drive on interstate with no stops required. Current temp is about 65F (or will be during the trip).

I want to make some more purchases. Dont expect a fish purchase, but may buy a rock blenny. Want to puchase a decent CUC as the local-LFS doesnt have a good selection. Probably will pick up 12-20 small snails of various types, a few cleaner shrimp, another SS Sea Star, and some small crabs of various types. Want to pick up a feather duster or two but havent decided for sure.

My major concern is the crew surviving the trip. I have a padded fish shipping box from the LFS that I will bring along along with some bubblewrap to prevent any shifting. I have heard that there are heat packs available that will maintain the heat for the trip, Bag Buddies, and breathing bags used by mailorder stores.

Would appreciate any feedback from those that have hauled thier livestock over a long distance, or any of the RC Grizzled vets that can give some guidance to determine if this is a good/bad idea.

thegrun · 02/06/2013, 04:03 PM

An ice chest with heat packs will be fine for the CUC, they are hearty, and most likely the fish will be fine also. If this is a trip that you will be making several more times in the future I would invest in a DC/AC converter so you can power a heater and air pump for an air stone (aeration). Either way a small ice chest will help reduce heat loss (or gain in the summer).

cloak · 02/06/2013, 04:05 PM

Three hours is nothing IMO. Just have them place the livestock in larger bags, and place them in that box you have or an icechest. Piece of cake.

Allmost · 02/06/2013, 04:07 PM

you are going with your car right ?

ask the LFS to put more air and less water in bag, and hurt on the heater in car. [so ud be comfortable]

as Grun said, a heat pack and a styrofoam box would help with temp too. that's all you need to worry about, as being in the bag for 3 hours wont hurt them.

DanangMonkey · 02/06/2013, 04:15 PM

Wow, thanks everyone... Quick Responses and right on the money...

--Heat Packs
--Large Bag (so they dont roll)
--Less Water/More Air
--Consider AC/DC conv for next trip

All Checked !

Do "larger" LFS usually stock Heatpacks? and how about Bag Buddies? Usefull, or waste of money for a three hour trip??

coralsnaked · 02/06/2013, 04:15 PM

Id be careful w/ a heat pack in a box crammed w/ bags. Likely to heat some bags more than others, and too much heat is worst than too cool. The water temp the bags are coming out of the LFS are perfect, so just get them into a chest of equal temp and sufficient size to place bags in. close it up and let it ride in the car w/ you and it'll be fine for three hours. Don't over think this.

Merry Skerry

DanangMonkey · 02/06/2013, 04:23 PM

Thanks Again... OK, I'll ditch the heat packs... I think the temp in the car will be low 70's the whole trip (North Texas area), and can supplement with car heater if needed.

Wasn't too worried about the CUC, but more so the Feather duster(s)

Allmost · 02/06/2013, 04:29 PM

na feature dusters do fine in water in high 60s and low 70s. should be fine

FWIW, I live in Canada, its -15 today here. and I take fish and corals from my house to office then to LFS all the time, often more than 2 hours in the car [while the car running but still ... ]

LFS always have styrofoam boxes they get their shipments in.

TexasTide · 02/06/2013, 04:41 PM

I've transported fish from Dallas out to West Texas before (6 hours) and its never been a problem. Get them to use big bags so they can cram more air in there and double bag. Place that in a foam box or foam cooler and you're all set.

dave sullivan · 02/06/2013, 04:41 PM

Generally inverts are more sensitive to water chemisty than differences in temp while fish are the opposite. Have a great day!

wooden_reefer · 02/06/2013, 05:28 PM

You can get an inverter and run a powerhead.

Use Amquel or Prime. Or use portable biological filter. Unlike air transport, you can ask for a lot of water, gallons at least.

I prefer to not bag any livestock if I can prevent it, but you have to account for other security issues such as spilling and jumping out.

Lukel · 02/06/2013, 05:33 PM

If it was me, bigger baggs, wear a t shirt on the way home, so you are a better judge of the temp in the car, crank the heat, and when i got home, i would just temp float for 15 min then throw them in, i for certain wouldn't traditionally acclimate, as soon as you add good water to the fouled bag water, you risk making the ammonia in the bag more toxic.

Just my .02

Tactics · 02/06/2013, 09:06 PM

Probably cheaper to order online. Save on gas. (Unless you're really in Vietnam, 65F sounds cold for there).

Plus, 6 hours of driving round trip does not sound fun. Unless you're going to be there anyways.

MikeTR · 02/06/2013, 09:33 PM

Bought a flame wrasse pair, they sat in the bag for 12 hours in a little igloo..they did use oxygen in the bag. Temp acclimated and then in the tank they went. I wouldn't do anything different the next time.

cloak · 02/06/2013, 10:16 PM

Woops... (wrong thread)

DanangMonkey · 02/07/2013, 11:57 AM

Thanks all Again, and I think most are in agreement thats its ok.. I now have a full bag of tools and tricks (if needed) for safe transport.. appreciate everyones response

Tactics...Will Be in Dallas anyways..Just moved back from Danang Vietnam, I had the South China Sea at my doorstep there so didnt need a tank!

TexasTide --- I am going to North Dallas Aquarium (a large LFS), any intel you can provide on that location or others??

02/06/2013, 03:56 PM	#1
DanangMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Da Nang, Viet Nam Posts: 106	How to transport from LFS (3 hours away!) I will be visiting a not-so-local LFS located in a major metro area while conducting some other business. Store is about 2.5-3 hours away but direct drive on interstate with no stops required. Current temp is about 65F (or will be during the trip). I want to make some more purchases. Dont expect a fish purchase, but may buy a rock blenny. Want to puchase a decent CUC as the local-LFS doesnt have a good selection. Probably will pick up 12-20 small snails of various types, a few cleaner shrimp, another SS Sea Star, and some small crabs of various types. Want to pick up a feather duster or two but havent decided for sure. My major concern is the crew surviving the trip. I have a padded fish shipping box from the LFS that I will bring along along with some bubblewrap to prevent any shifting. I have heard that there are heat packs available that will maintain the heat for the trip, Bag Buddies, and breathing bags used by mailorder stores. Would appreciate any feedback from those that have hauled thier livestock over a long distance, or any of the RC Grizzled vets that can give some guidance to determine if this is a good/bad idea. Last edited by DanangMonkey; 02/06/2013 at 04:10 PM.

02/06/2013, 05:33 PM	#12
Lukel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pt. Colborne, ON, CANADA Posts: 209	If it was me, bigger baggs, wear a t shirt on the way home, so you are a better judge of the temp in the car, crank the heat, and when i got home, i would just temp float for 15 min then throw them in, i for certain wouldn't traditionally acclimate, as soon as you add good water to the fouled bag water, you risk making the ammonia in the bag more toxic. Just my .02 __________________ 220 gal mixed reef , Apex, 8 Bulb Tek light, led supplement, With 135 gallon sump. SRO3000INT , KH Guardian, 4 X Vortech MP40w, MTC calcium reactor . Current Tank Info: 220 gal sps dominated

02/06/2013, 04:03 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	An ice chest with heat packs will be fine for the CUC, they are hearty, and most likely the fish will be fine also. If this is a trip that you will be making several more times in the future I would invest in a DC/AC converter so you can power a heater and air pump for an air stone (aeration). Either way a small ice chest will help reduce heat loss (or gain in the summer).

02/06/2013, 04:05 PM	#3
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Three hours is nothing IMO. Just have them place the livestock in larger bags, and place them in that box you have or an icechest. Piece of cake.

02/06/2013, 04:07 PM	#4
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	you are going with your car right ? ask the LFS to put more air and less water in bag, and hurt on the heater in car. [so ud be comfortable] as Grun said, a heat pack and a styrofoam box would help with temp too. that's all you need to worry about, as being in the bag for 3 hours wont hurt them.

02/06/2013, 04:15 PM	#5
DanangMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Da Nang, Viet Nam Posts: 106	Wow, thanks everyone... Quick Responses and right on the money... --Heat Packs --Large Bag (so they dont roll) --Less Water/More Air --Consider AC/DC conv for next trip All Checked ! Do "larger" LFS usually stock Heatpacks? and how about Bag Buddies? Usefull, or waste of money for a three hour trip??

02/06/2013, 04:15 PM	#6
coralsnaked Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Austin / Port Aransas, TX Posts: 1,479	Id be careful w/ a heat pack in a box crammed w/ bags. Likely to heat some bags more than others, and too much heat is worst than too cool. The water temp the bags are coming out of the LFS are perfect, so just get them into a chest of equal temp and sufficient size to place bags in. close it up and let it ride in the car w/ you and it'll be fine for three hours. Don't over think this. Merry Skerry

02/06/2013, 04:23 PM	#7
DanangMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Da Nang, Viet Nam Posts: 106	Thanks Again... OK, I'll ditch the heat packs... I think the temp in the car will be low 70's the whole trip (North Texas area), and can supplement with car heater if needed. Wasn't too worried about the CUC, but more so the Feather duster(s)

02/06/2013, 04:29 PM	#8
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	na feature dusters do fine in water in high 60s and low 70s. should be fine FWIW, I live in Canada, its -15 today here. and I take fish and corals from my house to office then to LFS all the time, often more than 2 hours in the car [while the car running but still ... ] LFS always have styrofoam boxes they get their shipments in.

02/06/2013, 04:41 PM	#9
TexasTide Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 8	I've transported fish from Dallas out to West Texas before (6 hours) and its never been a problem. Get them to use big bags so they can cram more air in there and double bag. Place that in a foam box or foam cooler and you're all set.

02/06/2013, 04:41 PM	#10
dave sullivan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: green bay Posts: 50	Generally inverts are more sensitive to water chemisty than differences in temp while fish are the opposite. Have a great day!

02/06/2013, 05:28 PM	#11
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	You can get an inverter and run a powerhead. Use Amquel or Prime. Or use portable biological filter. Unlike air transport, you can ask for a lot of water, gallons at least. I prefer to not bag any livestock if I can prevent it, but you have to account for other security issues such as spilling and jumping out.

02/06/2013, 09:06 PM	#13
Tactics Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 272	Probably cheaper to order online. Save on gas. (Unless you're really in Vietnam, 65F sounds cold for there). Plus, 6 hours of driving round trip does not sound fun. Unless you're going to be there anyways.

02/06/2013, 09:33 PM	#14
MikeTR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SW FL Posts: 351	Bought a flame wrasse pair, they sat in the bag for 12 hours in a little igloo..they did use oxygen in the bag. Temp acclimated and then in the tank they went. I wouldn't do anything different the next time.

02/06/2013, 10:16 PM	#15
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Woops... (wrong thread)

02/07/2013, 11:57 AM	#16
DanangMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Da Nang, Viet Nam Posts: 106	Thanks all Again, and I think most are in agreement thats its ok.. I now have a full bag of tools and tricks (if needed) for safe transport.. appreciate everyones response Tactics...Will Be in Dallas anyways..Just moved back from Danang Vietnam, I had the South China Sea at my doorstep there so didnt need a tank! TexasTide --- I am going to North Dallas Aquarium (a large LFS), any intel you can provide on that location or others??