21-hour-long Drive

Hello everyone! (I hope this is the right place for this)

I am about to move a few states over and have a long drive ahead of me.

I have 12 guppies, 1 pleco, and 5 tetras. My tentative plans are to use a plastic 6 gallon tote with a submersible filter, submersible heater, and an air stone for good measure. I will fill the water up til about three inches from the top, because I am worried about water sloshing around.

So I have a few questions:

1. Is this size of tote appropriate for the amount of fish and time of residency? I can obtain bigger if need be.
2. Does the movement of water that driving cause bother fish?
3. Is sloshing a major issue for that that have done something similar?
   
4. Should I use any anti-stress chemicals?

I know that this is a lot to ask, but I am really trying to do right by my fish. Tips are welcome as well.

I appreciate any and all responses!

 

I personally think it's an OK size, just a bit small.
Nope, they cannot become carsick.
The water shouldn't slosh all the time, occasionally it's fine.
You can treat the water with StressCoat, that'll help calm the fish down.

 

Fish get shipped for longer than 24 hours- in a bag with varying temps..normally without issue- otherwise there would be no fish in fish stores.

IMO I think what you are doing is overkill for the type of fish you have.

I would bag the tetra's, bag the pleco and bag the guppies in two separate bags... put them in a soft cooler - close it and don't open it back up until you are ready to put the fish in their new home- then acclimate them like I would any new fish.

also, IMO I think the set up you are planning would be more stressful for them.

 

Fish get shipped for longer than 24 hours- in a bag with varying temps..normally without issue- otherwise there would be no fish in fish stores.

IMO I think what you are doing is overkill for the type of fish you have.

I would bag the tetra's, bag the pleco and bag the guppies in two separate bags... put them in a soft cooler - close it and don't open it back up until you are ready to put the fish in their new home- then acclimate them like I would any new fish.

also, IMO I think the set up you are planning would be more stressful for them.

I see. I was under the impression that the liquid that is used for the shipping of fish is hyper-oxygenated. Does a sealed bag provide enough oxygen for at least 21 hours?

I personally think it's an OK size, just a bit small.
Nope, they cannot become carsick.
The water shouldn't slosh all the time, occasionally it's fine.
You can treat the water with StressCoat, that'll help calm the fish down.

Thank you for your response! I'll keep StressCoat in mind.

 

Fish stores plan for the losses, and there are always some while shipping fish in small amoubts of water and low oxygen.

I only moved a half-hour, but I did it in 5-gallon buckets. Lowes sells white ones that are food safe with the painting supplies. Easy to carry with a handle, no worry about the plastic cracking when moved, and it has a well fitting lid to prevent spilling. I bought a few so I could bring as much tank water as I could to prevent parameter shock, and slowly adjust the fish to the new water source after a week of settling in. I had no losses. I could fit four buckets across the floor of the back seat of my sedan.

There are adapters available that allow regular plugs to get power from the car. You could run the filter the entire time if you wanted, or just occationally during stops. I bagged mine up in a little water and sealed it tight with an air bubble, so the bacteria had both oxygen and moisture.

 

I see. I was under the impression that the liquid that is used for the shipping of fish is hyper-oxygenated. Does a sealed bag provide enough oxygen for at least 21 hours?.

When you bag them catch some air in the bag before you close it- there are tons and tons of youtube vids on how to do it- so easy.

 

When you bag them catch some air in the bag before you close it- there are tons and tons of youtube vids on how to do it- so easy.

I understand how to do it, I just have a hard time seeing that air lasting over 21 hours. Have you found this to be the case in your personal experience? Appreciate the input!

Fish stores plan for the losses, and there are always some while shipping fish in small amoubts of water and low oxygen.

I only moved a half-hour, but I did it in 5-gallon buckets. Lowes sells white ones that are food safe with the painting supplies. Easy to carry with a handle, no worry about the plastic cracking when moved, and it has a well fitting lid to prevent spilling. I bought a few so I could bring as much tank water as I could to prevent parameter shock, and slowly adjust the fish to the new water source after a week of settling in. I had no losses. I could fit four buckets across the floor of the back seat of my sedan.

There are adapters available that allow regular plugs to get power from the car. You could run the filter the entire time if you wanted, or just occationally during stops. I bagged mine up in a little water and sealed it tight with an air bubble, so the bacteria had both oxygen and moisture.

Thank you for your response, I have an inverter ready for my pump and such. I think though that I will do the bagged idea, I am just worried about the air being enough for the amount of time they will be in there.

 

If you're worried about the air I know my LFS fills the bag with pure oxygen instead of normal air. At least where I am, they'll do it for me, at a small fee.

 

A drop of Stress Coat and a drop of Prime should help.

 

Personally, for a 21 hours trip Id just put them in a 5 gallon bucket and seal the top. Drop the filter media in there too and don't worry. 21 hours isn't that long. Id use a black or dark bucket so it keeps the light level down, hence the stress level too. When you get to the new location set up the tank asap with half new water and dump them in.