Temp housing for fish?

[thbrewst]

OK, I am transplanting a tank that I bought in a few weeks. I am trying to do this in such a way that the tank should cylce pretty quickly once set-up at my location, however I will definiteyl need the fish to live somewhere else for at least a few days. I have a couple of 30 gallon containers that I figured I could use, but want to make sure that I know all of the requirements for doing this so I am prepared.

The list is: 1- Cleaner shrimp, 1-Pair of Gold Striped Maroon Clownfish, 2- Blue Damselfish, 1- Powder Blue Tang, 1- Yellow Tang, 1- Kole Tang, 1- Sailfin Tang, and 1- Heniochus. All are fairly mature in size.

Things I 'think' I know...
- Use their existing tank water as much as possible
- Include some of their live rock
- Have a powerhead or something in there to circulate the water

Questions...
- What more is there then what I have listed above?
- Do they also need an air pump or something to add oxygen to the water?
- Should I keep them mostly in the dark or will that freak them out?
- Should I try not to feed them much as that will taint the water, or should I feed them regularly.
- How many fish should I keep in a 30 gal container? All? Or should I split them into 2 spots?
- Should I raise or lower the temperature or just keep it at the norm?
- How long can they realistically stay healthy in this set-up? 2 days? 5? 7?

Many thanks as always.

 

[slinky]

I would drop them off at a LFS, gave the owner $40 and have them babysit for 7 days.

They should have the facility/skill/time/knowledge to keep them alive.

 

[drnecropolis]

What size tank ya setting up?

Keep the water the same temp
They can live in the holding tanks for a long time if maintained properly
I would split them up
Feed them normally
Let them get light from the room.. It being darker will keep them calmer

 

[thbrewst]

I asked one of my local stores and they said they don't really do that (not mentioning names as it is not meant to trash them in any way).

Anyone know of anyplace that does that? I don't mind keeping them myself as long as I can keep them in good health. But I agree, keeping them at a LFS would be much better.

Slinky;555579 wrote: I would drop them off at a LFS, gave the owner $40 and have them babysit for 7 days.

They should have the facility/skill/time/knowledge to keep them alive.

 

[jef4y]

thbrewst;555574 wrote: Questions...
- What more is there then what I have listed above?

You can put some rock in, or you can leave it out. Some hiding spots are always refreshing for them (i.e., PVC elbows). Heater is a must.

- Do they also need an air pump or something to add oxygen to the water?

Personally, I put an airstone in when I tub mine simply because there is generally less water movement through the tub than in the tank.

- Should I keep them mostly in the dark or will that freak them out?

I've kept mine dark for 4 days without any ill effects. Not sure if that's recommended, but I didn't have any issue. If you do provide light, personally I would just use ambient room light.

- Should I try not to feed them much as that will taint the water, or should I feed them regularly.

Personally I don't feed in the tub. They will survive just fine for 3-5 days without food (unless you have some freaky fish that needs 3x daily feedings), and will promote eating once you put them back in the tank.

- How many fish should I keep in a 30 gal container? All? Or should I split them into 2 spots?

That's a LOT of tangs for a 30 tub. I'm not a tang guy, but think you'd want multiple 30 tubs for them.

- Should I raise or lower the temperature or just keep it at the norm?

Keep it normal.

- How long can they realistically stay healthy in this set-up? 2 days? 5? 7?

I've had mine in tubs with airstones, no light and no food for 5 days with zero problems.

 

[thbrewst]

Getting a 175 bowfront with fish (as listed) ~160lbs of rock, 72" MH/flor light, full filtration set-up etc.

May have some of the features up for sale later as this guy has a sump room which I do not have room for, so there will be a few pieces that will likely not work for me.


Yeah, I figured if they can get shipped in bags for 24 hours that a 30 gallon holding tank would seem like the Ritz. I just want to make sure that I totally understand what 'maintained properly' means before I get started. I'm excited to get this up and running and don't want to start the process with dead fish.

DrNecropolis;555582 wrote: What size tank ya setting up?

Keep the water the same temp
They can live in the holding tanks for a long time if maintained properly
I would split them up
Feed them normally
Let them get light from the room.. It being darker will keep them calmer

 

[thbrewst]

JeF4y, thanks!! All of that is encouraging.