Author Topic: Preping for the Auction  (Read 7202 times)

Offline LanaK

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Preping for the Auction
« on: October 09, 2015, 10:43:35 AM »
I know I have asked this before, but I have to bag up a few hundred fish for the auction tomorrow and am feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Does anyone have suggestions on making it go faster so I can get some sleep tonight? 

I am most worried about having enough water from the tanks they are coming from for the number of bags coming from those tanks and figuring out what I can bag ahead of time - Mostly thinking plants there, but other suggestions welcomed.

AUCTION TIME!!!

Lana

Offline Cat(fish)lady

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2015, 12:05:43 PM »
Having a holding tank of cycled water set up helps.
A clean Rubbermaid tub or trash can with a used sponge filter running in it works well!
That way you know you'll have plenty of water without draining your tanks

Offline Marty

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2015, 12:13:57 PM »
Can't you bag the plants first, then replace tank water with dechlorinated water and take from that when you bag in the morning?  Or if your water parameters are close, you could do what I do, and just use dechlorinated water in the bags with a small square of ammonia absorbing filter pad in the bag.

Offline LanaK

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2015, 12:16:48 PM »
The plants live separate - I am taking a whole 55 gal of fry in - probably close to 100 fish.  I was thinking of setting up some buckets tonight with water from the tank and an air stone, then fill the tank up again so the water can mix. 

Where do you get the ammonia absorbing filter pads? That might also be an option.

Lana

Offline LanaK

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2015, 12:18:51 PM »
This was a summary of the advice from last time I asked, in case people wanted a reference -

Print all of your labels before.

You can do all your plants on Friday. Plants do not require a lot of water.

I like to put fish in buckets (air stone or sponge filter, The large air system is helpful to do this). I always like to have aged filtered water.  I would also recommend you stop feeding your fish today.  While they are in the bucket they will expel a lot of waste. That is why I have the aged water. Then I get up early and bag. Auctions are like Christmas morning.  Your have to use some common sense of what and how many fish you can put into the buckets. This is true for the bags as well. Cichlids will be Cichlids.

I stop feeding after the Thursday night prior so the fish can fast.

Fish from tanks filled with rockwork, etc, that makes them hard to remove I'll net and move into relatively bare tanks in advance so it's easier to get them out the morning of.

I print and cut labels the night before. (I use packaging tape to secure the labels and keep them waterproof the morning of).

I don't use O2 personally, so I bag the morning of. Remember to not put in too much water - fish need water to only keep wet (provided you fasted them sufficiently) and air to breath. 1/4-1/3 of water in the bag is sufficient.

I take the time I have to leave, subtract 30 minutes for loading, 30 minutes for food/getting ready, and figure I bag around 8 bags per hour (everything double-bagged, double rubberband'ed). For someone who's new, maybe plan for 1/2 that speed of bagging.

Offline Marty

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2015, 12:19:49 PM »
a number of lfs carry them, just call around and I'm sure you'll find one.  They're meant to go in sump filtration systems.  The water pours through the pad and the ammonia is absorbed.

Offline jcunningham0295

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2015, 12:24:31 PM »
If this is going to be normal practice, look at investing in oxygen and bag the night before.  Much easier process from my experience.
Josh Cunningham
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Offline LanaK

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2015, 01:50:37 PM »
Well if the fish keep co-operating it might be...  Dad used to get small oxygen tanks... I should see where he got his from.....

Offline Ron

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2015, 04:01:48 PM »
I stop feeding after the Thursday night prior so the fish can fast.

Fish from tanks filled with rockwork, etc, that makes them hard to remove I'll net and move into relatively bare tanks in advance so it's easier to get them out the morning of.

I print and cut labels the night before. (I use packaging tape to secure the labels and keep them waterproof the morning of).

I don't use O2 personally, so I bag the morning of. Remember to not put in too much water - fish need water to only keep wet (provided you fasted them sufficiently) and air to breath. 1/4-1/3 of water in the bag is sufficient.

I take the time I have to leave, subtract 30 minutes for loading, 30 minutes for food/getting ready, and figure I bag around 8 bags per hour (everything double-bagged, double rubberband'ed). For someone who's new, maybe plan for 1/2 that speed of bagging.
x2  ;D
"All men are equal before fish."
- Herbert Hoover
Planted 100 Gallon Tank
550 Gallon Hap Tank

Offline LanaK

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2015, 05:01:51 PM »
I'm glad that you agree with yourself Ron!

Offline Ron

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Re: Preping for the Auction
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2015, 08:09:02 PM »
I'm glad that you agree with yourself Ron!
LOL.
"All men are equal before fish."
- Herbert Hoover
Planted 100 Gallon Tank
550 Gallon Hap Tank