*sigh* Hurricane Ivan

[Kfamr]

We're boarding up the windows right now.
Once I post this i'm going to pack some things up for the mutts and get them ready *just in case* we do decide to get out of here.
I'm also going to take pictures of the house.

If we do leave, we're going to go to Tennesee or Michigan.. or somewhere up north.
I hope we do leave because I really do not want to go through this. I'd rather lose my house then my family.


But... what do I do with the fish?
Do I risk it and leave them here or do I risk it and bring them with?
I have a 25 or gallon tank with 2 oscars and a pleco.

What do I bring, what do I leave?
I'm definitely bringing our computer tower. There's NO way i'm losing the pictures and memories of my dogs.


Please everyone stay safe. Val, you have our number, call if you need to.



*sigh* I hate Florida so much.

[RobiLee]

Awwww, Kay. This is just horrible. I'm at a loss for words. Please be safe!

Robin

[FizzGiggs_Mommy]

My father live in Key Largo. I have not talked to him to see if he is leaving or going to stick it out I sure do hope he comes to visit me for a couple of days.

[Equus217]

I am so sorry that you and so many others are having to endure such a trying time.

You have much love and prayers being sent your way. I can't even begin to know what you must be feeling.

If it were me I would definately bring my computer, as well as photo albums, my jewelery. Of course aside from my family and furkids, my memories and things that were gifts/heirlooms would be most precious.

Try to focus on you and your family's health and well-being,
and I would try to bring my fish, if you expect to get hit that badly by Ivan. I know its difficult to move them but at least you made an attempt to save them too.

Good luck, we'll be praying for you

[HoRsELUvR]

Im sorry.Be safe, and if its not too big a hassle, you might want to bring the fish. I dont know how hard you expect to be hit. Most importantly, keep yourself safe.

[Harmanie]

I'm praying for you Kay.

What is with the weather in florida??? I mean I know that it is hurricaine season and all but COME ON!!!!!

Prayers to all.

I don't really know what to say Kay, But good luck! I just pray that Ivan GOES AWAY!

[My Peanuts]

Oh no Kay! I didn't know Ivan was coming your way. I'll pray that everything is ok. If you want to bring the fish you could put them in a bucket. It's just a thought. It might be easier to transport than a tank.

[lizzielou742]

Kay, I am so sorry you have to go through this again. I hope your house and all your family stays safe.

As for the fish...I have had experiences moving fish...they do not do well at all traveling. One of mine died when I was moving from Louisville to Lexington - he was only out of his tank and in a bucket for an hour. They just don't travel well. They get sick from the movement, the lack of oxygen, temperature changes, etc. I would recommend trying to move the fishtank to somewhere safe in the house (basement, bathroom, etc.) and covering it with a piece of plywood if it doesn't already have a cover. I'd leave one of those time-release food capsules in there on the day you evacuate. The pleco should take care of any algae in the case that your filter stops working due to loss of power. The risks of leaving the fish are:

1) you could lose power to the house, which would also mean no air pump, filter, or heating/cooling. However, they would not have any of these things while traveling either until you reached a hotel room or something where you could set up a small tank, if you have one.

2) something could hit the tank and break it, which is why I suggest putting it in the safest part of the house and making sure it's covered and protected as much as possible.

I think the risks of taking the fish with you outweigh the risks of leaving them at home, especially if you're traveling all the way to Tennessee or Michigan. This is all just my opinion of course.

I can't imagine what it must be like for you Floridians. Is you school even open, Kay? I think it's probably a good idea to back up your pictures on your computer somehow (or just take the whole thing with you, like you said) but I can't really think about what I would take besides the important stuff (papers, photos, medicine, etc.). At least you do have a little bit of time to prepare.

You know my grandparents do live very close to you, and it's wearing on them a lot, having to travel so much. It's expensive too: hotel rooms, gas if you can find it, plane tickets, not being able to work, damage to property, etc. It's just madness.

Again, I will be thinking of you and all the other PTers in Florida. Let us know when/if you decide to leave.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Kay, I really hope you stay safe I am so worried about you and all the other Floridians, the weather channel here said that it's going to be alot worse than the Frances and Charlie. I hope and pray everyone will be okay.

[Aspen and Misty]

My sister took her at the time 12 inch Oscar with her to South Carolina. I'm not sure how you feel about your fish, but my sister wouldn't considering leaving the lil guy behind in PA.

How she transported him the 13 hours :

She bought a large Tub (tote w/e) for 5 or 6 dollars
She bought an Air pump (10.00 ??)
Seh bought a thing to make it so the air pump could conect into the cigrate lighters ($20 ro $30, I think)
She bought him a FULL bottle of Stress Coat ($5 Dollars)

and he was ready to go. She placed all of his rocks on the bottom of his tube and then she put the air filter in and the stress coat.



Good luck, I hope you get everything you need and that you dont' have to leave. If it comes to that I hope you are ok and the trip goes quickly.

Ashley

[bluekat]

I feel so sorry for all you guys who have to go through this.. {{{hugs}}} Please stay safe! I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

As for the fish...I really don't know. If its not alot of work to transport them, then do it. But if it is, then I would just leave them I guess...

Good luck!

[Kfamr]

Thanks guys.


Ash, I really do not want to leave them behind, but there's no way we could put them in the cab of the trick with us and 3 dogs (where the cigarette lighter is)

They'd have to stay in the bed of the truck.

[Tweety_Pie]

aww Kay... I am really sorry you have to go through this! I will for sure keep you, your family, and your furkids in my thoughts!

Good Luck! PLEASE stay safe!

[Logan]

Kay, I don't know what to tell you about the fish, but if it were me and I was faced with what you are from a transportation standpoint, I think I'd do what I can to protect the tank, leave food and leave the fish at home. I know it isn't a great alternative, but either way, they are at risk.

I wish you and your family the best of luck in this situation. I know you just have to be sick of this weather.

Logan

[KYS]

Kay and others, wishing
you all to be safe.