[EIUtim8]

Hey,

I plan on starting my own 14 gal Bio-Cube in the near future, but I have a few questions first. Ok, the biggest issue is the fact that I would like to have this at college, but there are several breaks through out the year and I dont know what to do with the tank/fish. Im most worried about winter break, as it is almost a month. So are there any safe ways to transport the tank and fish?? The drive is about 3 hours. I was told the doing this with live rock would be extremely hard, so Im thinking a just fish tank for the first year or so. Any thoughts you guys have on transporting them would be great! I need to know this before I even start planning what Im going to put in.

[glampka]

Transporting fish in the cold isn't a problem. Bag them & put the bags in a styrofoam cooler. You can keep the water warm by usinging those heat packs. You might even be able to keep the bags in those plug in fridge/heaters they sell for cars.

[blind1993]

yea but i think u should just getsomeone to do it or like make it all automatic.

[EIUtim8]

ok excellent. so it is possible. thats great. I have thought about doing it all auto, but it will have to come home when the year is done anyway. I will get an auto feeder for the little breaks and have someone watch them. But the long break seems a little to much to ask for someone to watch with x-mas and new years travel.

Am I doing the right thing with fish only?? It seems like too much with live rock etc... Its fine with me to do the FO because I am very new, so the less in the tank the better.

[blind1993]

yep but u might cause alot of stress on them. so only get the really hardy fish.

[EIUtim8]

ok, that makes sense. I was reading about clowns, and people seem to say they are a good starter fish, as they are hardy. I forget the latin term, i know there are several different kinds. I think it started with an o. Just the basic clown. Starting with 2 and then either adding another or something else that would get along with them because i know they are territorial.

[e_baer]

instead of getting fish, get a few lbs of LR and get some zoas or something. maybe some shrooms. easy to care for, inexpensive, grows like a weed.

[glampka]

You will want the LR with the fish. The rock will help with the biological filtration. You can also add a some easy corals like e_ suggested. Don't use the bioballs that come with the cube since they will cause nitrate problems if you don't feed them regularly. Besides feeding, you'll need to have someone watch the water level during short breaks. Some cubes need to have water added more often than others.

[blind1993]

or ls can do

[EIUtim8]

Ok, the filtration with the live rock makes sense, but would it still be possible to transport to tank with the live rock?? I thought it would be easier to do without the LR. I was just going to add a skimmer to help with the filtration. But if its still possible to transport with either LR or LS, then i will for sure to that.

My plan is to set up the tank, cycles etc, at home, before school starts. I will grab them on the way down to school because the shop is right on the way. Then i would start the acclimation process right when i get there, or course after a test of the tank water to make sure everything is ok.

Or, I could start the tank here now, add the fish and then transport them when i need to leave for school. that might be a little easier.

Either way, I still am unsure weather to add LR or LS.

[blind1993]

it sounds like the first one is better since it puts less stress on the fishes.

[e_baer]

well, i dont know, i think either would work. yes, you can transport LR and LS. when you do move the tank, make sure you keep the rock and sand moist though to keep die off to zero. and also keep the water! i think it actually might be best just to get the fihs at home. but make sure you have a month so it adjusts completely before you move it. and put all the rocks back in the exact same spots when you set it up in your dorm.