(Insanely) Long trip home from the fish shop...

So my favorite (not so) local fish shop is uhm, lets see 500 miles away I live in charlotte, and having spent years in NJ, I enjoyed the every 6 month trip to "That Fish Place" and while yes they ship, I'd still enjoy a trip back there. So, what might be the best way to keep fish alive?

I was thinking about buying some of their system water and having a rubbermaid tote in the car with a heater and a power head on an inverter. I could get some live rock to help keep the ammonia down or maybe some amquel or something like that...

I'd buy fish the day I was going home, so it would just be the 10-12 hours (depending on traffic and stops etc).

Might this work (or something else)

 

It would work fine. I bought a bunch of corals and a clam when I was at my favorite fish store in florida and I live in TN. 12 hour drive home, no casualties. When I moved up from florida I had a rubbermaid tote with my fish and inverts, and used a small heater and airstone.

 

As you said they ship. When they ship the fish are bagged for closer to 24 hours and do just fine. You could get a cooler and put them bagged WITH PURE OXYGEN in the bags. They would do just fine.

The alternative you're tanking about would work just fine too though.

 

Or even simpler. Since they are set up to ship, simply have them pack up your stuff as if it were going to be shipped, then put the box in your car.

 

That's the best thing I've heard. Not to mention it'll be in a climate controlled car not an ice cold airplane/fedex truck etc etc etc (or insanely hot depending on when I make the drive).

 

There is a very nice coral store called Reef Chief in Virginia Beach / Suffolk that is WAY closer than jersey to you.

 

Mike is correct.
As long as the bag gets filled with pure O2, the animal can stay alive for 24 hrs. Your cars heater should be fine keeping the right temp.


luna

 

If you have ever bought on-line anywhere, do you still have the Styrofoam shipper, if not I know my LFS here in Raleigh is usually glad to give you one. They usually get about 10-15 boxes every week for the shop.

 

I also have a little tidbit for you, I am assuming your in Charlotte NC, Someone here turned me on to a little known shop in Carthage NC.

First of all the website does not do them justice. I paid them a visit last Friday just to check them out, they had a couple of things listed that I was interested in, wasn't expecting much of a shop, boy was I pleasently suprised, I found about 40 to 50 20g tanks and 2 6x4 flow tubs. Spent about 1.5 hours just looking and talking, decided to rethink my purchases and wait for some tax money so I can get some better pieces of some ultra rare color zoos.
Now here is the good news, they are not pricey,a 2"maxima clam for $39.00,zoa frags the in Raleigh would sell for about $100.00 for $35.00. they had just about anything you want. Like I said before the website does not do them justice. Found Dendro, duncans, chalic's, sps, lps. Now his shipping rate are a little high, he is in the middle of no where and has to drive about 40 miles to get to a Fedex or ups shipper.
If you can get by the shop you will NOT be disappointed. For those you have a wish list send them an e-mail, they probably have it. I know I'm going back as soon as my refund comes in. Hope to be able to post some of the more awesome pics on this site.

 

What are you looking for at that fish place... I live right near there and personally, I dont think they have that much of a selection! they just bring in stuff that they know will sell fast.

I know of some other small local places that have better deals and some nicer fish. PM me if you are interested in them...