Moving with fish tank- how to do it?

Around mid March- beginning of April we will be moving. I have heaps of experience moving, but none with moving fish. I'm not going to be taking my saltwater tank. I will be taking my 30 gallon freshwater. The inhabitants are a good sized firemouth (5 inches), a full grown dwarf gourami and 2 medium sized peppered cories (had 3, one died when I was gone for a week. I'll add probably 3 more to the school after the move). It is only an 8 hour drive. Keep in mind space will be limited in the car and two large dogs will be in the back.
So my questions

1. What is the best way to transport the fish(and live plants)?
2. What is best way to transport the tank?
3. How do I transport the filter media and ensure the BB stays alive?
4. I am not positive on what will happen upon arrival, but either way the tank will not be set up until, at the very earliest, the following afternoon. It may even stretch to the next day. It depends when the movers get my dresser inside (where the tank goes). During this time can they be kept in a 5 gallon bucket (filled to the top with a cover to prevent jumping)?
5. The dresser brought another thought. It will be on the moving truck a day or maybe two before we drive up(but likely only a night) Will the 5 gallon bucket work? If not what should I keep them in?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

The best way is to get:

Large cardboard box
A couple of medium/appropriate sized Styrofoam boxes
Battery powered airstones
Cloth/padding
Fish baggies (ask your pet store to give you some)

Put the Styrofoam boxes in the cardboard box, I suggest taping them down to the floor of the cardboard box to prevent shakey/movement. Get the battery powered airstone situated.

Fill the fish baggie with water and put all of the cories in there (for an example). Put the airstone in there. Put some plants as well it'll help with the oxygen. Shut the baggie trapping some oxygen. Repeat this with all the fish in separate baggies.

Put the fish baggie w/ fish in the Styrofoam box, pad it with packing peanuts, cloth, bubblewrap you name it. Whatever works and keeps it padded and still. Repeat with the other fish baggies.

Now you have a cardboard box filled with a running airstone and a box of fish. This all should keep the oxygen going for them for that 8 hour drive. Try to put the box in a comfortable spot.

Best of luck to your moving!

 

Or use these,

People have used them with great success. Also, You can just keep your media in a tupperware container with tank water. A five gallon bucket should be fine for a *short* period of time. Be cautious of ammonia build up, and consider throwing an air stone in there.

 

I have doe it both ways they suggested . Bucket works great for a short drive. I would fast the for 2-3 days and bag them up

 

Styrofoam Cooler,Large Plastic Bag, Heating Pad, Glostick, the battery operated bubbler would be optional... 8 hours in a car isn't too bad... put this cooler in a spot where you can easily check...

 

The best way is to get:

Large cardboard box
A couple of medium/appropriate sized Styrofoam boxes
Battery powered airstones
Cloth/padding
Fish baggies (ask your pet store to give you some)

Put the Styrofoam boxes in the cardboard box, I suggest taping them down to the floor of the cardboard box to prevent shakey/movement. Get the battery powered airstone situated.

Fill the fish baggie with water and put all of the cories in there (for an example). Put the airstone in there. Put some plants as well it'll help with the oxygen. Shut the baggie trapping some oxygen. Repeat this with all the fish in separate baggies.

Put the fish baggie w/ fish in the Styrofoam box, pad it with packing peanuts, cloth, bubblewrap you name it. Whatever works and keeps it padded and still. Repeat with the other fish baggies.

Now you have a cardboard box filled with a running airstone and a box of fish. This all should keep the oxygen going for them for that 8 hour drive. Try to put the box in a comfortable spot.

Best of luck to your moving!

So I'll need an airstone for every bag? Or would putting a airstone in say the cory bag, and the live plants in the fire mouth bag work? Other than that sounds good. Thanks!

A five gallon bucket should be fine for a *short* period of time. Be cautious of ammonia build up, and consider throwing an air stone in there.

I will definitely put an airstone in, along with the live plants. I'll do frequent ammonia tests. If I see it getting a little high I'll just siphon out a few gallons and replace it.

I have doe it both ways they suggested . Bucket works great for a short drive. I would fast the for 2-3 days and bag them up

Sounds good! I fast them once a week anyway.