Transporting an O

[Elizabeth94]

Found a great deal on craigslist for a 75gal and an oscar. I would feel great rehoming this poor fish but I'm nervous on the ride home if i were to pick him up. Any recommendations? Im worried about the lack of oxygen on a 30-40min drive. How would i hook up an air stone while in a car?

[donsfish]

I think you'd be alright for that distance/time. Depending on the size of the oscar, either in a CLEAN bucket or styrofoam coolers work great too.
If you really wanted to, there are battery operated air pumps. But again, I think you'd be alright.....water surface movement oxygenates the water (I don't run a bubbler in any of my tanks as an example)
No matter what, do expect some sulking from the oscar being moved....they are drama queens and will more than likely lay a bit sideways both while being transported as well as after being put back in the reset tank for a couple days also wouldn't be out of the ordinary.

[donsfish]

Oh....and take care how you transport the filtration also. Don't let the media dry out, keep it in submerged in siphoned tank water or dechlorinated water. You should be able to reset the tank at home with all fresh dechlorinated water with little worry about losing the beneficial bacteria and having to recycle everything. Though do some regular water testing to be sure

[JohnL]

Dons got you covered. Good luck with it.

[Elizabeth94]

Thank you so much! the only thing is in their pictures the water looks extremely dirty and thankfully i have a 20gal that has been up for a while with all the beneficial bacteria i need. If I cleaned the new tank and filled it with fresh water would I be able add my old filter and have it automatically be safe for the fish? Im also putting new substrate so there wont be bacteria on that.. I just learned this tank comes with a pacu as well.. will that be a problem?

[Gerry]

Only thing I'll add is don't have to much water in the bucket/box, just need to cover the fish. Air is more important

[TimP]

The Pacu does present a bit of a problem as if I'm not mistaken they can grow to 2' in length, that means he would not even be able to turn around in that 18" deep tank. You could take the Pacu to a lfs and let them re home him. The 75 would be great for the Oscar long term though with a little bit of room to add a couple dithers after he/she settles in.

[Elizabeth94]

Okay great ill have to bring him to pet co and see if they will take him.. maybe ill even get some extra cash to buy more things for the oscar he will be so happy.. their water was soo dirty in the picture i hope he doesnt have hith.. even then id take him and fix'm up.

[OinKY]

Only things to add...
Transport the O in darkness. It keeps them calm. Use a solid cooler,or if you use a bucket/styrofoam cooler cover it with a dark-colored towel.Keeping temperature stable is the important thing.
No matter how filthy/dirty a tank looks the filtration on it is still important. Keep it moist/wet during the trip and use it along with the 20g filtration. Chances are...if the tank looked filthy/dirty...it was underfiltered to begin with.
While aeration isn't necessary for the 30-40 minute trip,it does help push out CO2 and stabilize metabolic waste. You can do a battery-powered aerator ("bait bucket" ones can be found at "The big store that happens to sell fish" or most bait shops) or get a cheap invertor (again "The big store that happens to sell fish" has one for about $25) that can power an air pump. An invertor always has future use as does a battery-powered pump.
Pacu...hard to rehome,not much store credit...if you have a shop that can move "tank busters" fairly easily,then you may get some decent credit. Otherwise,don't be disappointed.

[Elizabeth94]

You guys are great help. Now the fish will come home safely.. I know a place that sells all sorts of large fish, maybe i can re-home the pacu for nothing. I thank you all