Bacteria and cold temps

[Minaku]

It's that time of year again, the time of year when I have to uproot all of my fish and take them to the fish-sitter's house.

Except this year I have a cycled tank, and that's the tricky part. I know the bacteria die within a few hours, and I'm fairly sure that I can get to the new place and set up shop within an hour, but unfortunately for most of the trip it's going to be rather cold. My fish I'll be keeping in bags with a hot water bottle in my bag, so they'll be okay, but how about my filter media? Will it be okay cold, or should I toss it into the fish bag with my fish and his Java fern?

Also, last time I changed my filter media I did it in steps, the carbon first, and then the floss a week later. I then dropped the old floss into the tank and left it there for a week to seed the new filter. I still got a small ammonia spike (<.25 ppm) but no nitrite spike. Is there a better way to change the filter so that I don't get ammonia?

[bettons]

Bacteria can be surprising organisms. they can withstand enormous temperatures but I wouldn't risk it, put the filter with the fish. About the filter media, I don't have much to suggest except to do water changes when necessary until the new media is fully seeded.

Oh and I may be incorrect but you said that you are carrying the fish in just bags right? Well I suggest buying one of those coolers you use to keep beverages cold just so the when you put the fish in there the temperature won't fluctuate much.

[amanichen]

I take it you're putting the tank and fish within the passenger cabin of your car? (not in the trunk)

[Minaku]

Yep, the fish, filter, and Java ferns rode in my bag with me, and the tank (with enough water to cover the gravel) rode in the backseat. Hopefully most of the bacteria survived - they were out of moving water for a little over an hour, I think.