Transporting water and fish

I just fell into a good deal on a huge tank, 350 gallons, plus livestock, plus fish and coral.

Its 4 hours away and I am in the planning phase of moving it to my home. I want to keep this as stress free as possible for the fish and that means using the water they are currently in. anyone have a good tip on moving that much water? what kind of containers are cost effective and will hold it safely.

How about moving the fish, I have a 50 gallon cooler, Is it safe to put the fish in there for the ride? or am I better to bag them and transport them that way?

Thanks

 

Probably the best thing for the fish stress wise is going to be a go-betwen of where you are now. I would think along the line of 5 gallon buckets. They are big enough for them but small enough for you to handle as well. While the 50gal cooler will afford them room its the moving and shaking that you would do over something that big that would concern me.

For keeping the live rock live I would be thinking the 20 gal (or whatever they are) tuperware tubs from the home depot/lowes'. How long has the tank been up I dont know about moving taking all of the sand. Stirring it up can release alot of crap out into the water column & give you potential water quality spikes & releases.

 

I would concider using rubermaid containers for most of the live stock and bagging as much of it as you can while storing the rock and water into a rubermaid of cooler (I have used both) you can also get stryfome containers from walmart and use those to transport the bigger fish WO havinh to bag (have done this before too) but mostly rember if it has a lid and can hold water without spilling it probly is your best bet.

also a couple of 55 gallon drums for the water might be a good idea if you dont want to make any fresh salt water. also try to keep the water at a acceptable temo level for the live stock.

 

I would avoid the sand in the tank now. Just get new dry sand and keep a few cups from what is in the tank now to seed the new sand.

 

I would get the battery operated bubblier from the fish department in Walmart if you use the containers to keep the fish aerated.

 

I like the 55 gal trash cans to move water (food grade of coarse[and use as a saltwater prep and holding fresh]), but they are pricy. Also when moving the fish, less is more. I would have less fish and more buckets. also wrap them in something to keep the warm temp up. ( a bath tube works great while you are setting up the tank) also If you dont have lids for buckets then use 2 trash bags. first one, cover from top to bottom, then tape it to the bucket. Second from the bottom up.

this is important^^^^

If you can, don't use the water from the buckets with the fish in it, they release a lot of crap when they are stressed. And have some water, in your case lots of water, made and ready in case you loose a bunch or things just dont go right.

GOOD LUCK