Transportation - GSP

[Fwoom]

So graduation day is finally here! (May 14)

That means I'll be looking for a job wherever I can get hired. I'm hoping for work with some type of pet store. So any advice on that part would be great.

That also means I'll be moving my GSP. He's about 2 inches now, loves attention. I've been considering possibilities about how to move him and was wonder what you guys suggest? I don't know the distance yet I'll be going, but most likely won't be longer than a 20 hour drive. I have MS-222 (Says on the instructions it can be used for transportation) I got awhile back when I first noticed his teeth, but since then they haven't grown any so I have absolutely no experience with using it.

He's very active and acts all tough... until you start taking away his water. Three weeks ago, I was doing a 40% water change and cleaning the algae off the fake plants, scrubbing the walls. He puffed up violently. It was actually kinda scary to watch, he's puffed before slowly stretching and whatnot, but it looked like he was choking this time. Then he went a dark black. If that's what a 30 minute water change can do, I'm a bit worried about a long drive. And he stayed mad at me for like a week... Wouldn't come to the glass to meet me or anything.

So, advice? Any product I should try? I've moved fish before, but not a puffer. Thoughts on using MS-222 for transport?

[drj1259]

library/puffer-care/moving-and-transpor ... and-tanks/

[Fwoom]

Yeah, I've read that.

[greenspottedlover]

Honestly the thought that I will someday have to move my GSP scares me a little.

[greenspottedlover]

I won't have to worry about that for a while though. I'm currently being homeschooled and next year is my last year(a year earlier than if I was in public school ) Then I will probably go to the job corps a couple of years and then I'm not sure. College maybe?

[Fwoom]

Well if my job search doesn't go too well, I'm thinking maybe going for my masters.

And moving a puffer seems so much worse than dentistry. And I still haven't had to do that yet either. I can't avoid it forever though

Moved him once, but it was just a few miles away. I had a friend hold him in one of those larger Ozarka water bottles. He was a pretty good sport about it, turned a little grey, but nothing compared to that water change incident.

[Fwoom]

~Bump~

Still looking for moving advice.

[goby1kenobi]

I've thought about this at length when (many years ago) it looked like we might move halfway across the country. The fish we wanted to keep were all quite small, so YMMV if yours are not small.

The plan I had at the time was that the tank water would be apportioned out into multiple 2g jugs (they formerly held kitty litter). The 2g jugs are easy to carry and the rectangular shape means they pack decently. Figure on going through one 2g jug of water per day traveled, plus perhaps a bit extra if the fish get too stressed. Also fill enough extra 2g jugs of tank-ready water to completely fill the quarantine tank at the final destination.

The fish do not get fed the day before the move.

I figured a 4g square kitty litter bucket would be ideal for transport. The square edge means you can hang a small power filter on the edge of it. And the attached, hinged lid means it's harder for anything to jump out. We could even seat belt it in on the back seat of the car if we had to.

The 4g bucket is filled halfway w/ tank water before the fish are added. The sloshing from vehicle movement will help keep it aerated. In case that's not sufficient, a battery-operated air pump with air stone is on standby and will be used whenever we stop for food. Depending on when during the year the move happens, we might use a very small heater plugged in to the cigarette lighter power inverter, but only when the car is not moving. Otherwise, the fish may bump into it too much. The bucket lid is otherwise kept closed to keep the vehicle dry!

In the evening, one of the 2g jugs of water gets dripped into the 4g bucket, which now has the heater in it. Once the bucket is sufficiently full, the power filter goes on.

Next morning, once the car is ready to go, remove the power filter & heater, and dump half of the water from the 4g bucket. Then it's time for the next leg of the trip.

Rinse & repeat daily.

At the final destination, the very first order of business is getting the bucket set up like it's another overnight stay. Then get the QT tank set up and the fish into it once the water temps are equalized.

[Fwoom]

The kitty litter bucket idea sounds really good, I don't have any cats so another Tupperware kind of container would be used. Thanks for the idea!

[Pufferpunk]

I use empty salt buckets but you can also buy clean buckets at Home Depot.