Fish transported in bucket?

[CammyS]

Hi all! I’m new to saltwater. I just set up my first 20 gallon long tank and have just added a clean up crew before adding the actual fish. I currently live at college, but was wondering if I could transport my fish in a 5 gallon bucket whenever I go home? I have 4 buckets I could use to give more surface area. I only live about 4 1/2 hours away from college if that helps any. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[eschaton]

Transporting a fish in a bucket over a shorter distance isn't a huge deal. When I've done that I usually fill the bucket around halfway with water (to stop sloshing) and put a lid on the top. IMHO a lid is a must, because marine fish are really prone to jumping.

Transporting a longer distance like you're describing though in a bucket could be problematic. First, temperature could drop considerably if it's cold out. Second, you need to worry more about oxygenation staying high enough - particularly if you leave a lid on. The fish would probably be fine either way, but I might consider getting one of those battery-powered airstones and putting a little tube into the bucket to ensure there is some water/air circulation.

I presume you're just talking about a teardown and rebuild when you go home at the end of the semester? If you go home for the weekend or whatever, just leave your fish in the tank while you are gone. I'd even suggest this if you have a week off or something - the fish can survive being hungry for a few days better than having wild swings in water temperature/chemistry.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Best method for transport although in a bag, it can be placed in styrofoam box for temperature retention. I recommend bucket in a rubbbermaid container or heavy box with a heat or cold pack wrapped in paper towel to stabilize temperature

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Definitely put an airstone in with them. I didn't and the fish didn't make it. I am almost positive lack of oxygen was the reason. Depending on your location temp could certainly also be an issue. Salinity, and PH you will also want to match what they came from and what they are going to.

 

[jp_75]

no problem at all! air stone and you will be fine. done a drive not too long ago 3-3.5 hr. all came alive.

 

[fish farmer]

Get a small cooler with a lid.

When I had saltwater and freshwater tanks in college I would use a cooler and a battery powered airstone. I did partial or complete teardowns. I would put some gravel and rock in the cooler and then the fish. Haul away and set up temporary or rebuild the tank at home. I remember a guy I knew set up a 30 gallon a couple of weeks before Christmas break..told him his were not going to make it through the month. We bagged them up and I brought them to my house since I had more supplies for temporary housing, they did fine.

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

I live out in the boonies and get fish whenever I make the 4-5 hour trip to parts of Utah That have fish stores. I use a cooler with a battery powered air stone and haven’t had any losses. I even brought home a huge 12 year old Foxface in the dead of winter and he did great.

I even got bristletooth tang from someone a few weeks ago. I had to pick up the fish in the morning but didn’t get home until after 11 that night.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Two buckets, a battery air pump, and a little prime worked for me. Transported my fish 6 hours. They went in one bucket, and half way through the trip got moved to the other bucket.

 

[Eggs]

In addition to what has been mentioned, I also wouldn’t feed before transporting to minimize waste in the bucket water.

 

[Softhammer]

I have kept fish in buckets for long distance moves for up to 2 days at a time. I literally did none of the above and never lost one. A bucket with 4-5 gallons of water is a thousand time better than a bag. Volume matters, bags don’t.

 

[CammyS]

Thanks for the tips! I bought one of those chargeable plug ins from amazon and I figured I could use it to keep the temperature at a normal rate. I also have a battery powered air pump along with a normal one. I do have lids for all the buckets. I have a spare 5 gallon bucket that I keep my salt in for easier transport and storage. I think I have everything covered. I still have a few weeks before I leave so I’m gonna double check before I do. I’m just going to rebuild the tank with new sand and all since it’ll be easier that. Also new question. Is it normal for saltwater snails to not come out of there shells for a day? They’re in the same position as I put them in the tank. My hermits are hiding but that’ll be okay since I know they like to hide. I just never had this problem with my freshwater snails before so it’s a little concerning.