Transporting Betta fish through a move?

The fish will be fine in the cups of tank water for 30 minuets.

You also do not have to re-cycle. If you put all of the water from the tanks into two 5 gallon buckets with lids and put the filter pad in the bucket to stay wet, then you are fine. After that just set up the filter again then put the tank water back in the tank.

But no matter what you do to transfer them, make sure that you use the same water that was in the tanks before you moved, and do not change the filters.

Good luck

I have a couple 1 gallon jars I use whenever I move, they work great for transporting my small fish, but most people use plastic bags. You can get ziplock bags meant for the freezer that can hold up to 1 gallon and have specially designed bottoms that expand into a square shape so they sit flat. A mason jar or large pickle jar would also work (make sure to rinse them very well). Don't feed your fish or turn on the aquarium light so they go into a dormant mode for the move. Adding stress coat would also help your fish handle it.

You'll want to completely empty your tanks (water, gravel, everything) to make it weigh less and reduce stress on the joints. Every gallon of water weighs 10lbs. Keep your filter media in a plastic bag with water so it doesn't dry out and kill the bacteria causing you to lose your cycle and have to do it all over again.

When I moved my bettas I went to the petstore and asked them to put them in a bag with oxygen. I didn't want to re-cycle my tank so what I did is, I put a strong piece of plastic on the top of the tank and tied it with a piece of rope so that it wouldn't spill. Then I asked someone to hold my tanks and they did.This worked for my 3 hour ride!

if it were me i would drain half the water and place tanks in the car ... i have moved fish in an inch of water (would not recommend) ... and only half an hour drive, easier than draining and filling two tanks, more stress on the fish to put them back in the cups, i would leave them in their tanks ... and with the water halfway, it will not splash out ...

Well, you will have to recycle a little bit, because you will get rid of all the water. However, if you put their filter cartridges in the tank water, that will save all of your beneficial bacteria. Try and save as much tank water as you can, either in buckets or in the tank.

As for the fish, they will be fine in the cups for the drive. They probably lived in those things for weeks at the fish store before you bought them, so they can probably handle it :)

Betta fish can be transported 2 ways safely...first in the plastic container they came in(as long as lid has holes) second you can put in a bag of water and besure to leave air in it-but this method only allows an hour before air runs out. I would empty tanks completely it will just be easier for moving. Also, bettas can live in water that is not filtered. The fish gulp air from the top(mine is in a vase with peace lilly) and petsmart said to be sure to leave them room to do so.