Cross country fish move - advice sought

[HClH2OFish]

So I'm moving cross country sometime around July-August. Moving from Phoenix to Annapolis, MD. Here's the problem - I need to break down, transport, and move 3 tanks. They're not big and I don't have much stock.

15 gal showtank - bow tie damsel
25 gal showtank - cinammon clown, pixie hawkfish, pearlscale pygmy angel, longspine urchin

56 gal column - 16" green wolf eel

Also 3 1.5 gal betta tanks which shouldn't be any problems.

Since we have lots of other pets, including exotics, we're not going to drive or fly standard. We're chartering a G5 so the trip will be shorter and we can carry all our pets in the cabin with us.

My problem is that the tanks need to be the last thing broken down - we'll be having our cars shipped prior to our move and then get a van/limo/huge cab to take our pets and us and a few suitcases.

I want to keep my LR and maybe some of the sand in the 56 gal. I was thinking of getting Igloo ice chests and putting all the LR in there with some water in the bottom to cover the mushrooms that are on the rock or possibly enough to cover it all.

The other fish I was going to double bag with O2 and put them individually into another ice chest. These will go on the plane with us. The tanks and pumps/skimmers/filters will be broken down, drained, and put in a rubbermaid container.

When we arrive, I hope to have someone from a fish place meet me with a van and some live sand and ocean water. We'll unload the fish/equipment and then follow the limo with my fiancee and our other animals. Once we get to the house, we'll setup everything, kick the skimmers on high and add the fish (?) Wondering if I should hold off on the sand for a bit until the fish settle down.

So that's the basic plan. Anybody have any suggestions? Anything would help at this point. I'm really stressed about losing someone in this move.

 

[ctenophors rule]

i like the plan!

suggestion 1. relax

suggestion 2 if the rock is of good quality, i.e. lots of sponge and corraline growh( mainly sponge in oarticular), i would put the rock in the rubber maid, add a little water, and then once in its final resting place fill it completely.

if encrusted in sponge, be mindful of the oxygen tollerance of the sponge, if too much air gets in matrix, and it is unable to protect itself, it will slowly die and foul the water.

suggestion 3. 1,5 gallon betta tanks? do these have heaters? or are these the built in with incandescent lighting deals?

just so you know, bettas are usualy better off in 10 gallon aquariums, with a heater keeping water at around 78 degrees, and a good filter. lots of plaznts and some lifve foods make a perfect habitat, then you can breed them!!!

 

[MatthewLaw]

WOW a G5!!

i would suggest wrapping the rock in wet newspaper and then bagging it. most of it can be put into a large bin.

For the fish, maybe put them in separate bags right BEFORE heading to the airport. what about bringing some of the tank water with you in a larger bin? the useful load of the G5 is 6500lbs and the plane has a range of 5800 nautical miles; so the plane needs less than 1/2 tank of gas to get you from AZ to MD. less fuel could mean more payload. so you can bring quite a bit of stuff on board.

i live about 1.5 hours from annapolis and am a huge airplane fan; working on my private pilot's license. i could help you unload. shoot me a PM.

 

[HClH2OFish]

ctenophors: For step 1 I was thinking maybe Xanax? lol
The rock is pretty good quality with lots of life in it (little sand brittle stars, polycheate worms, fan worms, and cool sponges and bristleworms) The rock with sponges will be out of the water for only a few seconds at most.

The betta tanks I have are octagonal, and have hoods with built in LED lighting with undergravel filters. No heater (I live in AZ so temp rarely gets cooler) No way in hell will I breed them! I have too many problems with the other critters I have. The home we're hoping to close on has a koi pond and the sellers are going to be leaving the fish. They no longer live in the home, but have been coming by once a week to take care of the pond. One more thing I get to learn about...joy!
Once we're fully setup, I want to get some larger tanks for the bettas, but don't they have to be solo in the tank? I had a terrible accident when I had to put 2 in the same tank. One somehow got through the divider and tore the other one's fins to shreds. He's ok and healing, but he always glares at me when I feed him.

Matthew: Most of the rock has critters and sponges, so I'll likely have to forego the wet newspaper route (thought of that initially) I may take you up on the offer if the aquarium service place falls through!
About how long is the trip in a G5 (this is what I was told..it may be another business jet of this class) I was thinking around 2-3 hours?

 

[Map69]

I wish you luck with the move. I have had to move twice and know what a pain it is and that was only for a short distance. If you need help unloading or setting it back up, I live less than 15 minutes from Annapolis and would be glad to help. I might even be able to bring a friend or two to assist. Hit me up with a PM if you need any help. Good luck with the move.

 

[MatthewLaw]

i would be glad to help you move some of the fish stuff. i have fit a 50g tank (48" 12") into my car so the other tanks and supplies shouldn't be an issue.

considering that you're flying west to easy (with favorable tailwinds) flights should be about 4 hours (maybe a 3:45 if you really push it). that can vary with type of jet, etc.