traveling

Question
QUESTION: i am moving back to the united states in 5 weeks and would like  to take my fish with me , its a 15 hour drive to where i am going , do you have any tips or tricks to traveling with fish ?? i have mating pair of blue rams , 1 male 4 female swordtails ,3 tiger barbs 2 sucker fish 2 neons and a cori cat .. thanks for any info you can find ..

ANSWER: Hi Doug,
The three primary concerns with traveling with fish is keeping their water warm, keeping ammonia/waste levels under control, and keeping the water oxygenated.

I recommend to start running a sponge filter in their aquarium up until you are ready to move.

Have a battery-powered airpump and extra batteries, and have an ammonia remover like ammo-lock on hand.

For traveling, get a large ice chest (which will maintain heat quite well) and put the fishes water (And even gravel if you want) into the ice chest. I'd do a big water change and thorough gravel vacuuming the day before transferring all this over... Add the sponge filter from the tank and run it with the batter-powered air-pump. All the time the sponge has been in the aquarium, it has grown decent amounts of beneficial bacteria, and will help control the ammonia produced by the fish... It will be very close to the equivalent of the fish being in an established aquarium and will help reduce some of the stress they'll be under. It never hurts to add some ammonia remover regardless though just in case. The airpump running the sponge filter will of course add oxygen to the tank as well.

When you set your tank back up in your new home. Make sure to monitor the ammonia as the biofilter can be very weak and your fish can be at risk.

With these tips in mind. Taking your fish with you should be a lot easier. Now please know that I cannot guarantee that your fish will be completely safe and sound because accidents happen and things can still go wrong even with the best precautions taken.

I do wish you the very best and have a safe and enjoyable trip!
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you have a preference of brand  and will i be able to find one for a (about 20 ) gal cooler ?? as for the ammonia remover do you have a preference ?

Answer

I don't particularly have a preference in brand in battery-powered airpumps and coolers. I think any brand would work well. I think you could definitely find what you are looking for quite easily.

For ammonia remover. I have had good luck with the 'Ammo-Lock' during emergencies..

Best of luck as always!
Karen~