Bill M.
06-29-2007, 07:01 PM
We've all felt the euphoria connected with purchasing new fish for your aquarium. Whether you are getting that one fish you had your eyes on forever, or buying a school of 15 Neon Tetras, the most important thing is getting your fish home and into your tank safe and efficently. The following post will describe ways to maximize stress free transport of fish.
The first step of safe fish transport begins before the purchase is even made. Make plans ahead of time when you intend to purchase fish. Do not purchase fish first, then go shopping for other items; fish should always be purchased last. If multiple stops are required to purchase the required items, buy them first, then head to the store where fish are to be purchased.
The second step is to provide an area to secure the bagged fish untill arrival at the destination. I have personally had success with two methods; the trustworthy friend, and the cooler package.
The first method, is most commonly used. This method involves having a trusted friend, or yourself if you don't drive, hold the bag of fish in his/her lap and anticipate bumps in the road to minimize turbulance to the water.
Pros: No supplies needed, just a friend.
Cons: Need a friend who is responsible enough to handle the bag and keep fish safe
The second method, which I personally use and recommend, is to create a cooler package. Supplies needed are a ten gallon cooler , one that you would put ice in to keep sodas cool, packaging peanuts, and bubble wrap. To make the cooler package is very simple; add enough packaging peanuts to fill the cooler 7/8 of the way full, and then take enough bubble wrap to fill the gap between the peanuts and the top of the container. When fish are purchased, the bags are placed in the peanuts, with them surrounding the bag on all sides, and the bubble wrap is place on top. This keeps the bag stationary, but also absorbs impact.
Pros: Hands free, doesn't require another person, safe, affordable, reuseable
Cons: Some assembly required.
The last step in assuring safe transport occurs in the LFS. Ask the employee to only bag up to five fish in each bag. This insures enough oxygen is in the water to last the fish the trip home, as well as not over loading ammonia from wastes during transport. While bagging the fish, ask the employee to also place compressed oxygen into the bag. Most stores will do this automatically, but if they don't, don't be afraid to ask. This not only adds more oxygen to the water, but it provides as a cushion; the bag becomes stiff when filled with oxygen, and prevents fish from being crushed.
Hopefully this helps some of the newer, and older, aquarists out!
Bill M.
The first step of safe fish transport begins before the purchase is even made. Make plans ahead of time when you intend to purchase fish. Do not purchase fish first, then go shopping for other items; fish should always be purchased last. If multiple stops are required to purchase the required items, buy them first, then head to the store where fish are to be purchased.
The second step is to provide an area to secure the bagged fish untill arrival at the destination. I have personally had success with two methods; the trustworthy friend, and the cooler package.
The first method, is most commonly used. This method involves having a trusted friend, or yourself if you don't drive, hold the bag of fish in his/her lap and anticipate bumps in the road to minimize turbulance to the water.
Pros: No supplies needed, just a friend.
Cons: Need a friend who is responsible enough to handle the bag and keep fish safe
The second method, which I personally use and recommend, is to create a cooler package. Supplies needed are a ten gallon cooler , one that you would put ice in to keep sodas cool, packaging peanuts, and bubble wrap. To make the cooler package is very simple; add enough packaging peanuts to fill the cooler 7/8 of the way full, and then take enough bubble wrap to fill the gap between the peanuts and the top of the container. When fish are purchased, the bags are placed in the peanuts, with them surrounding the bag on all sides, and the bubble wrap is place on top. This keeps the bag stationary, but also absorbs impact.
Pros: Hands free, doesn't require another person, safe, affordable, reuseable
Cons: Some assembly required.
The last step in assuring safe transport occurs in the LFS. Ask the employee to only bag up to five fish in each bag. This insures enough oxygen is in the water to last the fish the trip home, as well as not over loading ammonia from wastes during transport. While bagging the fish, ask the employee to also place compressed oxygen into the bag. Most stores will do this automatically, but if they don't, don't be afraid to ask. This not only adds more oxygen to the water, but it provides as a cushion; the bag becomes stiff when filled with oxygen, and prevents fish from being crushed.
Hopefully this helps some of the newer, and older, aquarists out!
Bill M.