What to do with betta over break?

So I know this is a ways away but I'm trying to plan ahead. I'm currently in college and I live in an apartment. My winter/Christmas break is from December 14-Jan 9 so I'm trying to figure out if it's a good idea to just take my betta home with me for break or not if so how would I transport him? And is it worth it seeing as how it could distrust the cycle of my tank. Thanks!

 

What size tank do you have? Most people I know will buy a bowl and take the betta home with them over break in that.

 

going to watch this thread because i'm curious also how I'll get my Betta home. My break is almost the same length as yours

 

As long as you keep the media wet during the trip, you shouldn't lose your cycle. I would bring the betta home - that's longer than I would feel comfortable leaving him without food.

 

Yeah I definitely want to bring him home my tank is 3 gallons

 

How long is the trip home? I have many tips for moving fish.

 

Should be fine! I would move the betta to a small container for transport, move the media into a bag or container with tank water, drain the tank, and re-set it up when you get there.

 

Thanks for the help everyone!

Should be fine! I would move the betta to a small container for transport, move the media into a bag or container with tank water, drain the tank, and re-set it up when you get there.

Awesome! I didn't think it would really be too much of a problem. Thanks so much for your help!

How long is the trip home? I have many tips for moving fish.

The trip is about two hours

 

I had a really big cup I bought at the dollar store that had a screw on lid and a hole for a straw. I filed it most of the way up with tank water and left room for air. I just put him in the cups holder then. It kept him very secure. Just don't drink from that cu!. It was also a good excuse to keep the car toasty on the drive. I'd even bring him in the restaurant if it was really cold and I thought it would be a long stop.
Then like TexasDomer said put the media in a bag with some tank water and reset up at home.

 

So I know this is a ways away but I'm trying to plan ahead. I'm currently in college and I live in an apartment. My winter/Christmas break is from December 14-Jan 9 so I'm trying to figure out if it's a good idea to just take my betta home with me for break or not if so how would I transport him? And is it worth it seeing as how it could distrust the cycle of my tank. Thanks!

Have you ever seen the movie "What About Bob?" Maybe you could carry your fish around with you in a jar like he did.

 

Have you ever seen the movie "What About Bob?" Maybe you could carry your fish around with you in a jar like he did.

Haha maybe I'll try it

 

Two hours will not likely starve off your bacteria, this is good~ Keep them wet, and preferably warm.

So I think it would be worth purchasing a 5 gallon bucket from a hardware store, but it's not necessary. A small tote or bin would work too. Be certain whatever container you use would have no chemical or soap residue, of course.

If the aquarium is glass, do not ever transport it with water inside of it; even low volumes. Sloshing will put uneven weight stress on the panes, which can crack the glass. If it is plastic or acrylic though, go right on ahead and use it if you need to.

You can safely fill a bucket about 2/3 of the way for the road (fill too high, and the sloshing may cause spills when braking), which I believe your 3 gallons worth of water would just max out in a 5 gallon bucket. Your substrate, decorations, and filter media can all go into this bucket to keep as much BB as possible.

Ideally for your betta, I would say the best way to transport him is inside a fish bag, tied tight with twice the amount of air for the amount of water inside, for oxygen exchange. You can treat the bag with prime for his comfort if you're worried about ammonia. It will also be in your best interest to fast him for a couple days before moving, and this way he won't likely foul the water he's in, although 2 hours is a very short haul and you shouldn't see anything close to dangerous parameters in that time.

I would keep the bag afloat inside the bucket. The temperature in and out of the bag will stay the same. Ideally it will be dark inside. A lid to the bucket or tote would work wonders. If the bucket comes without, many plastic grocery bags can be stretched over the top. The less of the world moving around him that he sees, the less stressful the move will be for him.

Most people say not to worry about saving as much water as possible. Their reasoning is that the bacteria lives on the media and decor, not in the water. This is true. However, the tap water where you're going will be different from the tap water where you're at, and if you can save the entire tank's worth of water, your betta will not have to be acclimated to new water when you set the tank back up. Again, less stress!

With that in mind, at the new location, don't change out too much water in any given water change. It will be an acclimation process to new parameters, right? Simply take care.

 

When I was taking a 4-hour bus ride home for Christmas break, I once transported my betta in a large plastic yogurt tub. Since it was fairly cold outside (around -30 celsius), I also wrapped it in cloth and newspapers and put all that in a bag. I then kept the whole thing in my lap during the ride so that I could keep it warm with my body heat. The betta came home safe and sound. If you're travelling by car it's more convenient, since you'll have better control over what you're packing and how warm your car is. A different story however is bringing a betta on a plane. With the constantly stricter limits on liquids (and possibly with pet transportation fees) I'm wondering if it's better to just leave him with some friends. If anyone has experience with this I'd love to hear it!

 

Two hours will not likely starve off your bacteria, this is good~ Keep them wet, and preferably warm.

So I think it would be worth purchasing a 5 gallon bucket from a hardware store, but it's not necessary. A small tote or bin would work too. Be certain whatever container you use would have no chemical or soap residue, of course.

If the aquarium is glass, do not ever transport it with water inside of it; even low volumes. Sloshing will put uneven weight stress on the panes, which can crack the glass. If it is plastic or acrylic though, go right on ahead and use it if you need to.

You can safely fill a bucket about 2/3 of the way for the road (fill too high, and the sloshing may cause spills when braking), which I believe your 3 gallons worth of water would just max out in a 5 gallon bucket. Your substrate, decorations, and filter media can all go into this bucket to keep as much BB as possible.

Ideally for your betta, I would say the best way to transport him is inside a fish bag, tied tight with twice the amount of air for the amount of water inside, for oxygen exchange. You can treat the bag with prime for his comfort if you're worried about ammonia. It will also be in your best interest to fast him for a couple days before moving, and this way he won't likely foul the water he's in, although 2 hours is a very short haul and you shouldn't see anything close to dangerous parameters in that time.

I would keep the bag afloat inside the bucket. The temperature in and out of the bag will stay the same. Ideally it will be dark inside. A lid to the bucket or tote would work wonders. If the bucket comes without, many plastic grocery bags can be stretched over the top. The less of the world moving around him that he sees, the less stressful the move will be for him.

Most people say not to worry about saving as much water as possible. Their reasoning is that the bacteria lives on the media and decor, not in the water. This is true. However, the tap water where you're going will be different from the tap water where you're at, and if you can save the entire tank's worth of water, your betta will not have to be acclimated to new water when you set the tank back up. Again, less stress!

With that in mind, at the new location, don't change out too much water in any given water change. It will be an acclimation process to new parameters, right? Simply take care.

Wow thanks for the help! I think taking the taking water would be a good idea as well

 

Fellow college student here. I don't have bettas but have to transport fish 7 hours (danios and shrimp). Haven't had any losses and my tank is a 5.5 gallon (I rehomed the danios that was stupid to get them). I just drain the tank (with fish, plants, filter media in it) until I feel comfortable enough to lift the tank and not have it break. I then put the tank in an opaque tote (with a towel on the bottom). Fill the tank back up in the tote (to a level that you can still carry it), and you can plastic wrap the top of the tank to prevent splashing/jumpers). Then reverse the process back home. It's probably the easiest way to do it.

Now are you in a dorm, or off campus. As I'm off campus I'm going to leave my tank (just top off, auto feed, shorten my light time). However last year I was in a dorm and they would of required me to take the fish home. I'm just curious because you could have someone take care of the betta over break depending on the answer.

 

My bettas, shrimp, bb, and snails all go back and forth for all my breaks and it's a 4 hour drive. I've never had a cycle crash

 

How long is the trip home? I have many tips for moving fish.

I would be interested in hearing tips for transporting fish on airlines, keeping in mind TSA's Liquid regs. I've done it several times but am still not over the learning curve. Thanks.

 

I would be interested in hearing tips for transporting fish on airlines, keeping in mind TSA's Liquid regs. I've done it several times but am still not over the learning curve. Thanks.

Ah, unfortunately my experience with moving fish is limited to ground travel! And also, I'm not familiar with any of the USA's flight policies and regulations, being from Canada.

In a flight situation, I would personally consider having the fish shipped overnight, separately from your flight, excepting where extreme temperatures and weather are involved. A quick google search for people in similar situations largely appears to agree with me on that.

In such a case, you would want to ship using breather bags, and you would want to fast the fish for two or three days before the move. If you're interested, here's a video from a local acquaintance of mine who explains how he ships plants and fish. You can skip ahead to the 3:05 mark to bypass the plants and jump straight to the fish. He explains what breather bags do, how to use them, and how to pack the boxes.

There is a post on this page that is filled with info on shipping, also:
https://pets.stackexchange.com/questions/1671/how-to-transport-fishes-over-large-distance

One thing neither post mentions is that you must not acclimate fish into their new tank using breather bags! The bags must not be floated in the tank. Either transfer the fish into normal bags for acclimation, or use a container and do the drip method. You need very little water in a breather bag per fish, so the container may not be an easy option if it's too large.

 

Thank you Xander.

I have successfully transported rare, endangered, expensive fish aboard aircraft in my carry-on luggage. I trust me more than having the fish shipped overnight by strangers.

Breather bags can be used for species which require dissolved oxygen, but are unnecessary for Anabantoids (the OP's fish is a Betta).

Yes fasting for two or three days is always wise.

Thank you for the video. I've sold several fish on AquaBid over the years and have always followed a similar procedure when shipping. Yes acclimating fish in breather bags is foolish, almost as foolish as adding pressurized oxygen into bags containing Labyrinth fish. After 40 years of visiting pet stores I'm still dismayed to see this occur, especially by employees who are being paid to be knowledgeable.

A few months ago I lost 2 gorgeous alpha pairs of extremely rare livebearers, Brachyrhaphis terrabensis which, as far as I know have never been available in North America. I am still upset about it. They were in my suitcase, each in its own gallon jug of water (yes, I had 4 gallons of water in my suitcase) choked with this very oxygenating species of plant:


I have since forgotten this name of this floating plant but I know it's not Elodea/Anacharis, Hornwort, or Cabomba. Anyhow, the pairs had been thriving in this plant without mechanical aeration for several days prior to departure, eating a variety of live foods. Upon arrival however they were all dead. I was sick to my stomach. Both females were gravid and at first I thought their condition may have caused the death. But the males were dead as well. I doubt I'll ever again have another opportunity to transport this species, but if I do I'm gonna wait 'till the females drop and carry their fry right in my lap during the entire flight.