What is the best way to acclimate them to my pond ? I know with the bags you float the bags but with coolers that isn't an option.
I am estimating they will have 25 gallons of water in each.
Should I get a five gallon bucket and dump 5 gallons of pond water in each cooler drain out five gallons, wait a little bit, repeat until I have dumped five buckets in each?
Yes, that's the way to do it, but slowly if you have cold water in the coolers. Also, add ice very slowly after you get the fish. Avoid temperature shock.
I would get there when they open so as to get back before the late
afternoon heat.
I would be tempted to get the fish in oxygen containing bags and dump the bags into the same temp water in the coolers about halfway back. As many bags as possible to fit into the coolers. Carry a lot of fresh pond water in jugs.
