Transporting help.

This is coming from a friend that needs some advice quickly.

We are in Michigan visiting our families for the holidays and earlier today my brother in law said he just isn't into the saltwater hobby any more and is giving us the contents of his 90 gallon tank. All the rock, coral, fish, everything! But we need to figure out the best way to get it home. We are driving a Toyota corolla and only have the back seat floor and half the trunk available to store things. We were thinking maybe styrofoam coolers and zip lock bags for the fish. But how do we keep the temperature right?? Any help would be great!! Thanks!!

 

styrofoam coolers are definitely in order for the corals. You need to find some heat packs as well. But you also could just really turn the heat up in the car to keep everything at around 78 degrees. For the fish, there are battery powered air pumps available and you could get a converter to plug in to your car lighter and plug in 2 heaters in a couple of 5 gallon buckets only filled about half way to avoid major spills. I would just wrap the live rock in wet saltwater soaked newspaper, and set them in styrofoam coolers, and then just put them in 5 gallon buckets with a pump and let them cycle again before using them.....Good luck!

 

I am not familiar with US geography so how much distance do you need to cover in terms of amount of time it will take

your methods sound good to me - polystrene will insulate , so if its not to far, and your car has a working heater in it, then you may be fine IMO

For rock, many people transport damp, rather than in water
the rock can be placed in polystyrene or plastic containers - which have lids
a small amount of water added to these containers, rock placed in, and then a wet towel, soaked in saltwater used to cover the rock before lid is placed on container

 

Thank you i will let them know asap.This trip is many hours steve.

 

Hand warmers wrapped around the bags always helps if the temp is dropping in the bags.


By the way, I'm in Michigan so if u can't fit it all ill gladly take some off your hands lol