Large fish bin?

[imagirlgeek]

First, the question:
What kind of large bins do people use to keep fish in while doing heavy maintenance on their tanks?

Now, the reason:
Tonight we are doing a major shuffle with our tanks.  We bought a 240G and realized that we need to put it where the 210 is, and put the 210 where the 150 is...you get the drift... :)

So, we hired movers for 2 hours to bring the 240G from FRII to our house.  We figured since we've got them for 2 hours, we'll go ahead and have them move the other tanks around while they are there.  So the problem is, I'm going to have to have the 210 and the 150 essentially empty by the time they get to the house tonight.

My goal is to find containers that are large enough to keep them from being on top of one another, is non-toxic material, and also large enough to be able to save as much water as possible to put back in the tanks (about 40%-50% of each would be fine).

Ideas?  Experiences?

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Large fish bin?

I have used large styrofoam fish shipping boxes, and always used either a battery operatted air pump, or a powerhead plugged in to keep the water aeroated.

I would suggest to you, that many people I know use trashcans.  Just make certain you buy a high quality brand pastic trashcan from like Lowes or Home Depot, and rinse it in hotwater many times over and over to eliminate any oil film or contaiminets on the surface.  Rinse, and rinse again, until you make certain that you see no oil sheen.

Also, the biggest issue you will face will be your tap water temperature when re-filling the tanks.

You might consider getting another heater or "borrowing" a heater from one of your other tanks to help get the temperature back up.

The most important thing is to keep all of your filter media bacteria alive during the shutdown period by making sure it does not get too cold, or left for more than 24 hours un-cycled.

In this way you could effectively perform a 100% waterchange, as long as your make certain your pH is within 0.5 of each other.

Temperature and pH will be need to be monitored before you put the fish back into the aquarium.

[sproett]

Re: Large fish bin?

I have used several different things to hold fish in during times like that.  Last year we installed new flooring and my fish had to live in buckets for a few days and I didn't lose any.  I have also moved fish from one state to another and didn't lose any fish.  I have used ice chests (when we moved), large buckets (either bought at wal-mart or old icing tubs from my days of cake decorating), and rubber-maid tubs (just rinsed out really well to get rid of that new plastic smell).  I put airstones and/or filters on the side to keep the water flowing and to keep my filters from losing all that bacteria goodness.  I also put fake plants in each bucket to give them a some cover.  

I don't know how large your fish are but the only thing I can think of that is large enough are the rubber-maid totes.  You may be able to use new garbage cans to hold all that water.  It seems like it would be easier to just add fresh water than try to save 100 gallons or more of water though.

[Zulaab]

Re: Large fish bin?

Traci,

Walmart -- get their 18g plastic totes -- $3.97 with a lid.  Put the totes next to each other in the kitchen and get yourself a airpump.   I would get a bigger tote for Hoover so he can be alone...  Put as much water from each tank into those totes move the fish into them add an airline and then close the lid on top of them.  The totes being jet black inside will calm the fish and you should not have any problems.

The problem of getting larger drums now is you are almost out of time.  I would suggest if you know someone here who could lend you a 55g drum or better yet 3 and a pump to put the water back from the drum into the tank.

This would save your water...  at $3.97 an 18g tote (which I have used several of, with at least 12-15g of water in them without problems) will still only get you 1/2 the way there unless you like 10 of them.

[Zulaab]

Re: Large fish bin?

PS if you dont want to save that much water.. then use fresh all the way but make sure that your seeded filters are used.
Dont feed your fish in those tanks for 3-4 days (ie feed them on Sunday) and then dont feed them again until like Wedensday and then Sunday-- do a 30% water change

[imagirlgeek]

Re: Large fish bin?

I've been surfing the internet and came across some Rubbermaid Poly Stock Tanks.  They are pretty large...from 70G to 300G.  But, not so cheap.  The garbage can idea is good, just worried about the 24" giraffe cat getting freaked and flailing around.  I think if we did it fast enough he might be okay.

The largest of the fish going into containers tonight are the Frontosa and the Giraffe Cats.  

We have 3 filters running on the 210 and 2 filters running on the 150.  

Good call, Geoff...I can drop some extra heaters in the tanks, or how about using some warm water to supplement the water that is replaced in the tanks?

[dblondfemme]

Re: Large fish bin?

bathtub?  works especially if you have 2 bathrooms...that would be two tanks.  Just make sure the tub has no soap residue  in it.  I've thrown fish in the tub ....no ill effects.  Throw some stress coat in the water after it is the right temp. my $.02

[imagirlgeek]

Re: Large fish bin?

Thanks Jesper!  :)  Good suggestions!  

I pass a Home Depot on my way home...think they'll have the same bins as Walmart?

[imagirlgeek]

Re: Large fish bin?

I didn't even think of the bathtub!  And that's free!  

[imagirlgeek]

Re: Large fish bin?

Note:  I am kinda worried about using all fresh water on those tanks because of their size.  In my experience, it's a lot more difficult to stabilize a large tank than it is to stabilize a smaller tank.  Maybe I'm being overly paranoid.... :)

[Zulaab]

Re: Large fish bin?

imagirlgeek -- over paranoid...  Follow Geoff's Idea.   The only place I know where to get those 18g are at Walmart.. but I am sure that other places have them too.  I would make sure I got one that was extra large for the giraffe cat....  the fronts are not going to care about the 18g.. you can always use another 18g to hold more in there..  maybe no more than say 6-8 fronts per tote.   They are only staying in there for a few hours.. I take it you will be done with the move sometime late tonight..  Are you inviting people over to assist ?    Have you made the call out for that ?

[PlanB]

Re: Large fish bin?

I use my guest bathtub from everything to quarantining koi to soaking driftwood. Everything besides taking a bath, I guess. I just scrub it down with a brand new sponge before and after and toss in an in-tank filter. Also, the drain makes water changes a breeze!

[mrairportjunke]

Re: Large fish bin?

i use the really big rubbermaid totes. go to dollar store. they CHEAP

[imagirlgeek]

Re: Large fish bin?

They are only staying in there for a few hours.. I take it you will be done with the move sometime late tonight..  Are you inviting people over to assist ?    Have you made the call out for that ?

If all goes well, yes, should be done sometime late tonight.  We didn't make a callout because we just decided on Monday to get movers, and just realized last night how much moving was going to have to happen.  We are doing the 'need to happen' rearranging tonight...more tank shifting later (the 150, 125, 100 and 55 will need moving...same rooms, different locations in the rooms).  We'll likely do a callout for that one.  :wink:

[islander]

Re: Large fish bin?

Imagirlgeek,

I would also worry about that much fresh water.  I live just off of HWY 6 in Hitchcock and have 4-5 blue 50 gallon barrels that I can lone you if you have a truck to pick them up this afternoon.  These are water barrels outside that I raise fish in and have this many empty to loan you.  ksteblei@utmb.edu.  cell 409-771-3305 just died so need to get a battery replacement in the next hour.  let me know.  You can keep the barrels for a couple weeks.  later, ken