[Furcifer158]

So just bought a new house and I am moving next weekend. the thing is I have to go stay at my sisters for three weeks till I can move in to my house. I'm just wondering if anyone has a good way to move my tangs.
I have
125 - 8 Wild Mpimbwe Gibs
4 Wild altolamps 2 fire fins 2 kipili
55 - 15 Wild tropheus Moops
3 Wild Gold Occies
20 - close to 100 Comp Fire fin fry 1/4 inch
29 - 2 Wild Fire fin comps
8 Wild paracyps
80 - 7 F1 Cherry Princess 4 inches
So what would you do?

Thanks

Jon-e

 

[triscuit]

What is the timeline between when you have to be out of the old place and you have access to the new? Is that three weeks? If so, then just do two full moves. If there's anyway of the fish moving once before or after you do, that'd be better.

Consider bribing the old/new occupants of the new/old place to see if you can leave/move the fish just once. Money talks, and moving tanks takes a lot of time so figure out what it's worth it to you to just do it once.

If you do 2 moves with the fish, don't clean your filters/substrate. Make sure the filters stay oxygenated during the moves (pop open canister filters, or submerge filter media in tank water in an open bucket). Avoid netting the fish if possible by catching by hand or by chasing them into a clear container. Find out what the new tap water is going to be like so you are prepared for sudden shifts in quality/hardenss. Keep the lights off on the tanks for the entire transition and feed very lightly.

Sorry for the random laundry list, it's just what came to mind from my many long-distance fish moves.

Good luck!

 

[Furcifer158]

I have to do two moves there are people waiting for me to move out and my new home does not have the water heater in it yet. I was planning to take half the water from each tank, just with 5 gallon buckets. I'm will not wash the sand or filters. There might be 3 weeks in between moves, but could be less. I'm waiting for them to put the water heater in. the water is not much different from where I am now.

Thank You triscuit

 

[DJRansome]

You can set up a tank without a hot water heater. Fill the tank, let it come to room temperature overnight, and let the tank heaters do the rest.

Also, you need enough "old water" to keep the filters and substrate wet, but other than that, old water doesn't help anything, especially if the new water is about the same.

 

[Furcifer158]

Also, you need enough "old water" to keep the filters and substrate wet, but other than that, old water doesn't help anything, especially if the new water is about the same.

so should I not take water from the tanks? Well beside what I transport the fish in. I do not any extra tanks to let the water get up to room temp.
Thanks DJRansome

 

[Furcifer158]

I was also planning on using bag buddies in the buckets for the fish is that OK?

 

[triscuit]

So, the new house has everything you need but a hot water heater? Does it have a stove and electricity? If so, only one move is needed. Grab all the big pots and kettles that you can and heat water on your stove. Add it to the cold water from the tap, and mix with hot to get the correct temp.

Move as usual ( do a search for suggested methods, it's been discussed frequently). Bag buddies will be ineffective for adding oxygen in an open bucket, but it won't hurt anything. Fish and buckets aren't the best combo... any chance that you can bag some of your more sensitive fish?

 

[12pointer]

Bag buddies will be ok because they add some oxygen to the water plus its a slight seditive for the fish. just make sure you don't put that water in your tanks. As far as your old water goes it has very little if no benifical bacteria to it. If it was me I would get some larger rubber maid tubs and put some of your substraight in there for the bacteria. That way if you can't get the fish there right away they have more room than a 5 gal bucket. Also if the fish have to stay in the tubs you can still put some filters and heater in them. I know some people who raise their fry in rubbermaid tubs with no problems.

The fish I would be worried about would be your Red Princes and the paracyps. I think those are the most fragile fish you have.

Good luck with the move!!!
Let us know how it goes!

 

[Furcifer158]

Funny thing no stove yet :lol: Thats what were waitng for the bank to do, get these in so that we can move in. I can bag most of the fish but was thinking just buckets for the gibs and maybe the moops. the mpimbwe are large, smallest is about 6 inches with the largest being almost 13 inches. Ya I'm worried about the princess but I have had them for a while so hopefully they will be OK. I have lids for the buckets so That they will not jump out. How come fish and buckets are not a good idea?

 

[DJRansome]

How about a couple of "stock tanks" in the new house to let the water come to room temperature? Or, if you have electricity, you can bring a microwave and plug it in to heat the water. Maybe at least for the more delicate fish?

I've never moved tangs, but I brought mbuna to an LFS once in a bucket (one hour drive) and they almost died. I filled the buckets 2/3 full. The LFS owner said the problem was not the sloshing, and the solution was not more buckets (so there would be less fish in each bucket). He said the problem was oxygen since the fish density was very high. And the solution was less water, no more than 1/3 so the fish thrashing around would keep the water very oxygenated.

Since then I have continued to use buckets, but I bought a $9 battery operated air pump and an air stone. I fill the buckets 1/3 full, cut a hole for the air line, and rest the pump on the lid. Works great.