Moving across country with my fish and plants - need advice

I haven't driven across country with fish, but I have done a local move (in Chicagoland) during winter that took more than 2 hours and the traffic/roads were probably (hopefully) worse than you'll encounter enroute.

That being said, I highly recommend those sturdy orange 5 gallon Homer pails with lids from Home Depot. Use multiple Homer pails (assuming you have room in your car) to appropriately group the fish and be sure to buy a couple of extra lids just in case. IMHO the Homer pails (with handle) are much easier to work with than a large Rubbermaid container. If you are staying in a motel enroute, you will really appreciate this. And because the Homer pails are round, there are no corners for your fish to be trapped in/slammed up against when the inevitable quick stop/swerve happens. FWIW, I managed to place 2 of the 5G Homer pail in an oval 37G Sterlite container (purchased @5 years ago) and they fit like a hand inside a well-sized glove. The Sterlite container acted as an added layer of protection/insulation; Rubbermaid probably makes something similar, but the key is to be able to put multiple 5G Homer pails inside.

I also recommend bringing a battery-powered air pump with multiple airstones and appropriate connections if you have more than 1 Homer pail so that the single air pump can be used to provide air to multiple pails at the same time (if needed). Don't forget the checkvalves. If you're ambitious, before you start on your journey you can even pre-drill holes in the lids for the tubing (a cork/rubber stopper secured with duct tape can be used to prevent leaks when the air pump is not being used). Note that you might not need to use an air pump at all, depending upon how full of water the pail/container is, the fish load, etc., but if you don't use one be sure to periodically open the container and stir the water. Don't forget to securely cover the pail/container once you are finished.

At this time of year, your vehicle's heater will be the primary method for keeping the water at an acceptable temperature. Make sure that blower is working properly! Keep an air thermometer handy so you can easily tell what the air temperature is inside the car. You could bring an aquarium heater and a power inverter just in case, but don't count on either if you have car problems. Consider bringing a box of disposable hand warmers (the ones you squeeze the package to start the reaction that generates heat) and some quart-sized clear freezer bags. In an emergency situation, you could place 1 or more hand warmers inside a freezer bag and place the bag inside the pail/container for a period of time to warm up the water.

Since the fish will already be a bit jittery in their new (temporary) environment, you might choose to add a plastic plant or two into the pail/container to provide a hiding space. I recommend *NOT* adding gravel, rocks, other sharp objects to the same pail/container as the fish are being kept in. Ship those items in a separate pail/container. Also consider bringing a bottle of stress coat/water conditioner, some fish food, and a few easy-to-read aquarium thermometers.

I agree with Guppy - if you can, place the pail(s)/container on the floor of the back seat or in the cargo area of an SUV.

My final tip: if your route to New Mexico involves multiple toll roads, consider getting and activating an EZ Pass (or equivalent), which will allow you to by-pass the "cash-only" lines at the toll booths that accept these devices.

Good luck with your move.

well i made it to albuquerque with only one casualty so far. A rummy nose tetra was belly up, but everyone else is doing well.

I am spending a day here before making the final 4 hour drive to southern colorado. Right now they are all enjoying the cozy confines of my 20 long. The bags worked but it was a PITA...so I think for the last leg I will keep them in a rubbermaid tub with a heater and a bubbler.

my plants on the other hand did not fair so well...but due entirely to my own stupidity. When I got to the hotel room last night I thought it would be a good idea to put the plants in the fridge...when I checked them this morning half of them were popsicles. I am so pissed at myself, after spending months and months collecting and cultivating these plants i destroy them in one fell swoop.... time to check out what albuquerque has to offer in terms of plant selection at the LFS'.