Moving 8+ hours with multiple tanks

Hey guys!

I've got a 40 gallon planted goldfish tank (housing a single baby red and white ranchu) and a 5 gallon betta tank (housing my betta, obviously) and a couple snails in both tanks. In about two weeks, we are going to be moving 8-10 hours away. I plan on packing my fish and snails up like I am shipping them (bagging them up and putting them in insulated boxes), then draining the tanks and packing everything else up, driving to our new home, filling the tanks back up and acclimating them in. However, I have a few questions.

Does anyone know the best way to transport filter media 8-9 hours and keep the bacteria alive? Should I just bag it up like a fish?

Do I really need heat packs if it's summer time and they are in an insulated cooler box? Or are heat packs still important?

How should I transport all my plants (I have a lot of plants)?

What size of fish transport bags should I get? I figured as big as possible, but I've never done this before, so I have no idea. I found some 8x16 for a good deal, should those work?

 

You don't need heat packs if the weather is warm. You do want to make sure they're cool enough tho so if they're in a box truck you may need cooling packs.

Are you using breather bags or O2? Filter media just bag it like a fish. As long as it stays wet it'll be fine for 8 hours

 

You don't need heat packs if the weather is warm. You do want to make sure they're cool enough tho so if they're in a box truck you may need cooling packs.

Are you using breather bags or O2? Filter media just bag it like a fish. As long as it stays wet it'll be fine for 8 hours

Okay. Hopefully the fish will be able to be in the front with me, but if they have to go in the trunk then I will put a small cooler pack in the box with them.

 

I just moved 5+ hours and here is how I did it:

Fish went into 1/2 gallon critter keepers. I used four of them. One for each betta, and I put two danios in one and two danios in another.

I used sponge filters so I took the sponges off and put them in a ziplock bag with enough tank water to keep them wet.

Same with plants. I just put them all in ziplock bags with a little water.

I drained the tanks and cleaned them thoroughly. I did this because why not? I took the opportunity to really scrub down the sides and back.

I packed the critter keepers in a styrofoam cooler as well as the plants and sponges. I did not add portable air stone things because the water sloshed enough with the ride to keeps things aerated. I did not use heat packs. We moved from Georgia to Florida so I didn't see the need for them.

I made sure fish and tanks were packed in car with us.

As soon as we got to new place I went to work setting up the tanks. It honestly didn't take that long. I had to use a 5 gallon bucket because I didn't have the correct adapter for my water changer to fit the new sink.

I did use the drip method to acclimate fish but only because the water here is much different than they are used to. (the water here is VERY hard)

I just keep a close eye on water parameters and so far so good. I had a tiny little ammonia spike in the 15 gallon once. Other than that no issues.

 

I would pack the plants in Ziploc bags wrapped in tank water soaked paper towels. Are you going to still be in Oregon?
Edit: Other than that, I would be doing the exact same thing you are. Also, yes bag the filter media like fish. And good luck with it all btw!

 

I would pack the plants in Ziploc bags wrapped in tank water soaked paper towels. Are you going to still be in Oregon?
Edit: Other than that, I would be doing the exact same thing you are. Also, yes bag the filter media like fish. And good luck with it all btw!

Thanks.

No, we’ll be going to Idaho. This will be interesting. I’ve never lived anywhere but Oregon. I’ve grown up here my whole life, so all the trees, brush, mountains, logging roads, bugs, red dirt and cool rain are kind of a part of me. I will miss it here a lot, but I’m also excited to see new places and have a little “adventure” (no doubt I’ll be missing this place a lot before long though, I miss it already an I haven’t even left yet). I feel like bilbo fighting between his tookish side and Baggins side.

 

Thanks.

No, we’ll be going to Idaho. This will be interesting. I’ve never lived anywhere but Oregon. I’ve grown up here my whole life, so all the trees, brush, mountains, logging roads, bugs, red dirt and cool rain are kind of a part of me. I will miss it here a lot, but I’m also excited to see new places and have a little “adventure” (no doubt I’ll be missing this place a lot before long though, I miss it already an I haven’t even left yet). I feel like bilbo fighting between his tookish side and Baggins side.

Aw, I hope you like it there. It's a new adventure, with new opportunities!