3 day moving trip with betta? help quick! (update)

[Splashes]

I haven't been here in a while since Splashes has been happy and healthy and I've been busy. But he survived the move here to NM (barely), he got stressed and ill. But he's been healthy for 2 yrs now!

Anyway, we're moving again and I want things to go easier for him. Last time, he was in a maybe 2 qt hard plastic container. I've heard of putting him in a bag instead. I have a small 6-pak cooler or a large one. Should I use the small or large, with water jugs or bags or paper around him?

Should I put him in a big bag (1 gal or qt ziplock)?

Help quick. We're leaving Friday and might disconnect internet tonight.

It's a 3 day driving trip too.

[amanichen]

Use bags of water that are of the SAME temperature as the water his tank normally is at. The added mass of water will creater a larger thermal capacitance (your fish's water it won't get cool as quickly.)

Use a minimum of a quart size bag. Don't use a little flimsy sandwich or food bag -- use only freezer rated bags. Also, I've had trouble with ziploc bags, and prefer to use gladlock bags.

[Splashes]

thanks amanichen! So, should I use the smaller or larger cooler full of bags? I just checked, I have glad-lock gallon freezer bags!

Also, his tank is a 2.5 cycled minibow. If I lay the filter unit on the bottom and keep it and the substrate (gravel) wet, should that keep the tank cycled?

[amanichen]

splashes said:

thanks amanichen! So, should I use the smaller or larger cooler full of bags? I just checked, I have glad-lock gallon freezer bags!

Also, his tank is a 2.5 cycled minibow. If I lay the filter unit on the bottom and keep it and the substrate (gravel) wet, should that keep the tank cycled?

-If the smaller one has a 3 gallon total capacity, that should be fine.

-Keep the substrate and filter wet, minimize the downtime. Since your tank is small, use the water from the tank in the bags that will go in the cooler. That way you can put it back in the tank when to minimize the chemistry change.

[Splashes]

Thanks again! signing off. will pack him up tomorrow night for the big move.

[Splashes]

I'm happy to say that Splashes made the move without any problems. And so far no columnaris attack like he got when we received him and had to move him last time. (yes, he's the one that had it for several months before we diagnosed it and sucessfully treated it, about 2 years ago

FYI for anyone moving: I double gladlocked him in a gallon bag with about 1/3 or so water to 2/3 air. I bagged the rest of the tank water and some local fresh water for changes and placed them around him. I put him in a medium cooler. I opened the cooler and bag each night for a little while to give him fresh air.

Thanks again amanichen!

PS - The tank seems fine too, I kept a bit of water in it so the substrate and filter stayed wet and cycled.

[Rachel]

splashes said:

I'm happy to say that Splashes made the move without any problems. And so far no columnaris attack like he got when we received him and had to move him last time. (yes, he's the one that had it for several months before we diagnosed it and sucessfully treated it, about 2 years ago

I'm glad to hear the move went well for everyone involved.

You know, every time I see you posting I do instantly think back to the columnaris struggle and how Splashes was such a fighter through the whole thing. He's lucky to have such a caring owner. I hope he continues to do well.

[Splashes]

rachel said:

splashes said:

I'm happy to say that Splashes made the move without any problems. And so far no columnaris attack like he got when we received him and had to move him last time. (yes, he's the one that had it for several months before we diagnosed it and sucessfully treated it, about 2 years ago

I'm glad to hear the move went well for everyone involved.

You know, every time I see you posting I do instantly think back to the columnaris struggle and how Splashes was such a fighter through the whole thing. He's lucky to have such a caring owner. I hope he continues to do well.

Thank you. He's still as sassy and healthy as ever, after we've had him 2 yrs (and who knows how old he was before?). I don't know if it's the change in humidity (went from arid to humid CA) or the move, but he's been flaring like crazy at anything that comes by him! ;D Silly guy!

I've been doing partial changes and adding about 25% of the new local water each week to let him adjust. I hope he lives many more healthy years. Maybe we'll be able to report back one day here.