Location Transport

How do I transport my fish without killing them?

I have a 14 gallon freshwater tank. We are moving on Saturday and the ride is about 30 minutes. Whats the best way to transport the fish and the tank?

Public Comments

1. Let out about half the water and you can transport them safely! Make them the last thing you move and the first thing that is put into the new crib!
2. i traveled with my saltwater fish on a 3 hour plane ride with no problems. I personally went to walmart and got one of those hard coolers inside of a heat protective liner for like 14.99 Then i have my fish in single bags with 1/3 water and 2/3 air in each bag. For a 30 minute car ride, depending on how big the fish and the ammount, im planning a 24 car ride from NY to FLA and putting my fish in 55 gallon plastic food containers.
3. Since the tank is small and you're not going very far, here's what you can do I've moved fish like this several times :) Round up as many buckets as you can, and some garbage bags Put the garbage bag in the bucket(s) and siphon the water out with your gravel vacuum - fill the buckets 3/4 full or so, until there is only about 3 inches of water left in the tank - just enough that the fish can still swim. Tie off the plastic bags so they won't spill when the water sloshes around in your car. You want to save as much water as you can because replacing so much with new water would shock the tank and make it cycle again, which kills fish. Place your filter/heater/any big decorations in another bag or bucket. You can leave your fish in the tank - saves them from the stress and damage of netting them and removing them. Then with a helper carefully move it to your car. Drive the tank and buckets to your new place and immediately set the tank back up. The fish should be ok.
4. Ok you are going to need a lot of luck,to transoprt them as someone has already mentioned, put them in clear bags of tank water, with double the amount of air as water. Put the bags in a brown bag so they do not get distubed. Hold them carefully for the trip. Is it possible to make two journeys? Can you leave the fish at a freinds who has a tank untill the tank is ready in your new home? The water will cool down considerably in 30 minutes, and then you will have to set up the new tank (with new water) which will likely kill the fish. How big is the tank? If it is less than ten gallons you may be able to transport the tank without losing too much original water. Make sure the fish are the top priority, watch over them on the journey. IF YOU HAVE CATFISH BAG THEM SEPERATLEY FROM OTHER FISH, this is because when scared catfish give off a toxin which is deadly to other fish. Transport the tank separatley to the fish.
5. well, i would take a ziplock bag and put 2 or 3 fish in it. and another 2 or 3 in another bag. and stick the bags(closed)into the tank. (with the same water)this will reduce shock.oh, and you should only fill up the tank up to about half to 2/3 with water(in case of bumps)and try not to got over bumps to fast.
6. Ice chest filled with some of your tank water. Or just leave enough of the water in the tank so you can still move it but the fish can still swim and set it up as soon as you get there.
7. Never move your tank with water in it - no matter the size it really shortens the life of your tank. And there's nothing worse than moving, going to set up and finding your tank leaks. I've moved my fish a lot and when I do, I use rubbermaid bins. The lid fits tightly so there's no leaking but you can tape it on if you want to be extra careful. You need to fill it with tank water as you're emptying the tank but don't fill it all the way to the top as the fish need air in there. Just fill it up half way or less, so it's a couple of inches over the tops of your fish. To reduce stress I usually toss a fake plant or two in the rubbermaid bin for the fish to hide with. Then you drain your tank. I leave the gravel in the tank and moist so you keep most of your bacteria, and just set all my heaters, filters, lids, lights, bubblers, net etc. right on the gravel in the tank. Put your tank and the rubbermaid bin on a flat spot in your car and take it easy on corners. Since you're only moving half an hour away I'm sure they'll be fine. I move my tanks this way lots of times and never have any problems. Good Luck:-)
8. Best way is this. Get a 5 gallon buck with a lid. Put water from the tank in the bucket and put the fish in the bucket. Try to put the bucket somewhere in the vehicle where it will be secure and not move much, such as maybe wedged inbetween the front and back passenger seat.
9. just ask for plastic bags at a pet shop! then use them to put them in it and fill it with air too. just half an hour should be ok for them