Need Some Input: Moving/Tranportation

Good morning!
Long time admirer first time poster.
Need to pick some brains, I'm currently stationed in Washington and moving home to Montana (8/9 hours away) and have a 36 gallon bowfront.
I cannot rehome my fishes because, frankly I love them too much so any and all input is appreciated. I'm currently stocked with:
1 Opaline Gourami
1 Bolivian Ram
6 X-Ray Tetras
3 Panda Corys
1 BN Pleco
Live Plants
I never once had any issues with anyone mingling but I'm worried they may get on each other's nerves. I'm curious on ideas on what to transport them in, how to maintain temperatures and anything else I'm potentially forgetting.
Thanks in advance

 

If you bag them in typical fish bags, you will need 2/3 of the bag to be air. If you wish, you can also buy kordon breather bags online. This will allow you to pack them without air in the bag, so they won’t slosh around. Breather bags are designed in a way that allows air to permeate the bag, but not water. This would be more ideal then bagging them with air.

Definitely put them in separate bags. This will be less stressful. I would pack them, then put there bags in a large tub, (to keep the bags from moving), on the floor of your moving vehicle and throw a towel over them so they will be more calm.

If you can, get a lidded/sealed bucket and try to save as much of the tank water as possible so acclimation will be easier. If there is no way to do this, you’ll have to acclimate them as if they were brand new when you move.

As for the plants, they do not need to be packed with water, but cannot dry out. This means they cannot be left in the open/ exposed to open air. Bag them with water (if you can) or bag them without air. You don’t have to bag them with water, but this will allow you to save more tank water for later. Either method, the plant will not dry out as they are not exposed to the open and will maintain moisture. If you are able to use a sealed/lidded bucket you can put the plants in there.

IF you have a lidded/sealed bucket AND a remotely operated air pump, you can keep the fish in the sealed bucket along with an air stone and this should be fine. In this case, don’t put the driftwood with them as they might shift during transport.

 

I have the same tank and my drive was 2 1/2 hours. I drained the tank to a little under 1/2 water. Had a 3/4 plywood cut to a little larger than the tank. Didn’t want to stress the tank. Put tank into plywood and carried to the car. Have a converter so I can plug in the heater and an air stone. I probably didn’t need the air stone. All 12 fish survived the trip. The tank is pretty heavy 1/2 full so 2 people are needed.

 

I have the same tank and my drive was 2 1/2 hours. I drained the tank to a little under 1/2 water. Had a 3/4 plywood cut to a little larger than the tank. Didn’t want to stress the tank. Put tank into plywood and carried to the car. Have a converter so I can plug in the heater and an air stone. I probably didn’t need the air stone. All 12 fish survived the trip. The tank is pretty heavy 1/2 full so 2 people are needed.

I can’t say I’ve transported a large tank, but I have transported a 3.3g tank. All the sloshing around was stressful for the fish, and I can imagine there would be more sloshing in a larger tank

 

I can’t say I’ve transported a large tank, but I have transported a 3.3g tank. All the sloshing around was stressful for the fish, and I can imagine there would be more sloshing in a larger tank

Catching a fish and putting it in a bag is stressful to the fish also and how do you keep the temp correct on a long trip When on the highway there is not much water movement. Stop and go there is water movement. I found this the easiest and fastest way. Especially with plants. Whatever works for you.