Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

[neuendri]

I live in College Station and, unfortunately, we don't have any decent fish stores here any more.  I'm looking for ideas on how to manage a multi-store African cichlid shopping trip in either Austin or Houston and get everything back alive.  I was thinking about using a 100 qt igloo with a layer of ice packs on the bottom with maybe a couple layers of newspaper over them and an egg-crate shelf a few inches above that to keep the bags off the cold, but still be able to stay cool.

Anyone here have any experience doing this or have any good ideas?

Thanks,
Richard

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Get two coolers....a large one and a small one.

Keep the ice packs in the small one and add them as you go to keep it stable. Test it beforehand though to see exactly how much the ice packs will cool the temps of water so that you don't freeze them.

I have done so recently but I used a styrofoam shipping box with a smaller one inside so that the temps won't fluctuate as drastic in the smaller box.

[MJY6087]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Ive been from Austin to Houston with some cichlids (3 hours)

For your car, buy a plug adapter that fits in the little hole thing in your car.  Connect a small pump (a small filter/pump combo can be bought for 11.99 @ walmart).  This makes sure the fish have enough oxygen to breathe

[h0nkzz]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

i brought 10 fish (about 2"-3") from Austin to Houston in a 10 gal container, half filled with my aquarium water in austin. they did fine.

But again if you're buying from fish stores, they should be nicely bagged accordingly if you tell them that you're gonna be traveling.
If fish survive being ship overnight or 2 days, I don't see why they can't survive a few hours trip. You can get a styrofoam cool box from wallmart those made for beers  . I'm sure they should work no problem.

While you're in Austin, might wanna check River City Aquatics, last time i was there they were working on their store expansion with a LOT more tanks n fish selection.I'm not sure if they're finish but worth checking. Definately one, if not the cleanest fish store i've been to with very healthy fishes.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Ask the LFS to put the fish in bigger then normal bags and double bag it so that the corners are folded/rounded, that way the fish can't trap themselves and die.

I buy fish/corals before work at night and the do fine the way I stated in my trunk all the way through.

[Mzungu]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

I think the biggest concern would be the "multi-store" part of the trip...keeping the fish already bought in the car in Houston heat while shopping at other stores. Fish bagged well will definitely survive a long trip (I drove 11 hours from FL to TX with my fish, they're still with me). But ek's suggestions and your ideas seem good with the ice packs, as long as the bags aren't touching them you should be fine.

[neuendri]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Thanks, all...

You're correct, Mz..., I need a solution that will allow me to keep them cool, but not cold, while I am browsing in another store.  After all, if I'm going to make a trip to Houston or Austin, I want to check out several stores and make the trip worth it.  

Also, some suggestions required un-bagging the fish, which I don't have any intention of doing... I just want to make sure I can keep them cool.

Thanks, everyone, for all your input.
Richard

[Spot86t]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

For long trips
- A good investment is a 12V air pump from Academy.  They're over by bait buckets and such.  They're dual port, and work pretty well.  Then get a cigarette plug from either an auto parts store or radio shack to connect it to, and run some airstones in your fish containers during the trip.  (Even better - run a sponge filter with it!) Warm water needs more aeration as it holds less oxygen.  Often times, fish can handle warmer water so long as they have plenty of oxygen.  Put a drum liner (I use those cause they're the thickest) in a plastic tote, add water, fish, an airline with an airstone into it, and twist-tie it around the airline with lots of air space up top.  The tote keeps the bag from falling over, and the drum liner is black - making a quiet, possibly less stressful journey for the fish.  The air pump will keep the bag blown up.  Every few hours, untie it, swish the old air out and let it fill with fresh air before tying shut again.  If you need to cool it, wrap a frozen 20Oz bottle of water with a hand towel and tuck inside - between tote and bag.  It may make for uneven temp in the tote, but no more than they've dealt with in the wild swimming between thermoclines.  

Bonus:  The 12V air pump can also be used during a power outage at home if you've got a spare battery, jump-start box or lawnmower battery that you can run it off of.

For short trips around town (the kind with several little stops):
b/f:  "Uhm, why'd you pop the hatch?"
me:  "To get the fish out."
b/f:  "What for?  You putting them up front?"
me:  "No, I'm bring them in with me."
b/f:  "Into the store??"
me:  "Yeah, I sure can't leave them out here - they'll cook."
b/f:  "They going to let you in with them?"
me:  "If they want me to shop here they will….  Besides, who's gonna tell them?  YOU? (evil eye directed at b/f)"
b/f:  …silence…

Bonus:  if your significant other is taking too long at the store, just hold the bag up and talk to the fishies!  People will look at you funny, but your other half will sure move quicker too!

[rrocket2002]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

[armthehomeless]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Too funny, Spot! I like the idea of taking fish inside the store. What are they gonna say?!?!   :wink:

I think what it amounts to is minimizing the amount of time inside various stores while you have fish outside. I have brought fish to and from Austin and Dallas in bags packaged at LFS and transported them in insulated igloo coolers and styrofoam containers with no problems. I used no cooling devices whatsoever (except the AC in my car). You could try looking around the various stores first, and then coming back to pick them all up in one fell swoop. Another way to minimize time is to ask someone what stores are worth going to if you are looking for a particular type of fish. I would recommend Austin if you are more into CA/SA Cichlids and Houston if you are into Africans. If you aren't into cichlids, then I haven't got a clue where you would want to go!

I would hesitate on the ice packs if you haven't tested it out first. I had fish shipped from Africa get to me without icepacks less than a week ago.

[Mzungu]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

I remember when fish were shipped to us in Florida, the dealers taped the ice packs (which were wrapped in a couple pages of newspaper) to the inside top of the styrofoam boxes...

I agree that the method should be tested out first, like ek and arm said.

Let us know when you plan on going!

P.S. Great story, Spot!!

[sproett]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Haha Spot, I do that too!  My husband always thinks I'm crazy so I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.

[neuendri]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Arm,

I am definitely into Africans...  I have been out of the hobby for almost 10 years and used to go to Amazonia in Austin quite a bit.  Houston is certainly closer, what stores do you recommend?  I'll be coming from College Station, so stores on the North side would be best, but could make a drive down South if it will be worth it...

Thanks,
Richard

[armthehomeless]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Do you have a preference as to Lake Tanganyika, Malawi, or Victoria? If you are into Africans, Ultimate is definately your best bet.  Although not the cheapest by any stretch of the imagination, the are definately a quality African Cichlid store. Fish Ranch II and Fish Gallery are probably worth a is it as well. Fish Ranch II looks alot like Amazonia on the inside, while Fish Gallery is in a NEW store and extremely neat and clean.  

Ladies and gentlemen... any other store recommendations for African cichlids?

[armthehomeless]

Re: Looking for ideas on multi-store fish shopping trip...

Sorry... double post  :bsoop: