transporting a tank

[the72peanut]

I am realizing the complications that will come along with this 10 gallon tank I am hoping to set up. It would be in my college dorm next year, and it would need to be taken there, taken back home on long breaks, and over the summer. Its a two hour drive :(.

So, what Im wondering is if its even possible to transport a 10 gallon tank that far, fully assembled or not, and keep the fish alive. If so Id love to hear some suggestions on how exactly I would do it.

[bushwhacker]

sure drain the tank half way tape some saran wrap over the top to stop slpashes and drive careful,,, you dont wanna try this with anything bigger tho LOL

[Rue]

Even so, I wouldn't...glass isn't forgiving at all...

[the72peanut]

I was thinking of draining a significant amount, then placing the tank in one of those large plastic rectangular tubs. Then it would be easier to carry and I could stuff towels down around the edges to keep the aquarium from bumping around.

If anyone thinks that would work, would I be able to keep the fish inside? How will they fare for two hours without the water running and creating oxygen?

[Jacko]

I would transport fish and tank seperatly. Bag the fish up in plastic bags, if you have any extras from an LFS trip, those work great, give them some air in the bags, wrap them in newspaper and set them in a box. Pretty much how you would do shipping, only a more haphazard job because it'll be maybe 3 hours for them out of tank max.

For the tank, just drain it as best you can, leave the gravel in water though. Take the filter media and put it in a plastic container (small rubbermaid, tupperware, etc) and get a batter powered air pump (10 bucks at petco) to provide oxygen for the bacteria so they don't suffocate en route, if too many bacteria die you'll likely end up with a mini cycle.

[PostalPenguin]

I am in the same situation. I wouldn't move the tank with any water in it. If you hit a bump and the tank isn't supported correctly the glass bottom could crack.

I am planning on putting my fish in a styrofoam cooler with their tank water along with the filter media. Then draining the tank as much as possible and packing it up and transporting all the stuff home. A battery powered air pump would be a good idea too.

And remember the water at home is likely different than the water up at school so treat the fish as if you had just bought them and acclimate them to their new tank.

[bushwhacker]

while i understand everyones concern.... with a tank that small its really not a problem, you dont want water all over the car but if your careful you wont get any as the OP said put the tank in a big tub and support the sides and you will be fine

[Jacko]

No offense, but IMO that's a pretty lazy way to do it. The extra 10 minutes it would take to bag the fish, store the filter pad and drain the tank is enough to turn an "if your careful" to a "your good to go". Carrying a 10 gallon tank half filled with water and gravel from a car to your dorm (especially if you don't live on the bottom floor of wherever you are) can be a real pain, it's probably about 50 pounds right there.

And even if you don't go that way, I would still pick up a battery power air pump, they're great to have and you'll need some way of providing oxygen to the bacteria so you don't get a die off.

[Rue]

You might also want to set it on a piece of styrofoam to support the bottom...

[the72peanut]

Thanks for the advice! This gives me some hope that this tank will work after all. Bagging up the fish and packing the tank up half full sounds reasonable. I can get an air pump as well.

If I get an automatic feeder and a timer for the lights, or a friend to watch the tank, I could probably manage only taking the tank home once at the end of the year. Probably going to change my mind on housing a GBR though, I havent tried one before and I read they are very sensitive to changes in their water parameters, something ill have to deal with in the transition from school to home water.

[the72peanut]

If my tank was planted, would the plants be ok for the trip? I don't have much experience with plants.

[PostalPenguin]

The plants will be fine. Keep the substrate damp and as long as the roots stay wet it will survive the trip. This is another reason I wouldn't want to carry my tank with lots of water in it. I have sand and plants and the sloshing around would probably mean I'd have to drain and replant the tank anyways when I got home.