Moving a fish tank is one of the difficult tasks you will face, when you are moving to a new house. A fish is a system that has living creatures in it. You have to take care of the water, the bacteria, the temperature and make sure your fish are not too stressed. If you plan everything carefully, you can do it. If you do not, you might end up with a broken tank, dead fish and a tank that takes a long time to get back to normal.
Why You Need a Special Plan to Move Your Aquarium
A fish tank holds between 10 and 75 gallons. Water is about 8.3 pounds per gallon. So even a small 20-gallon tank can weigh over 165 pounds when it is full. No matter how big your tank is, you should never try to lift it, or move it, when it has water or gravel in it. This can damage the tank, hurt the seals and be dangerous for you.
There is also the problem of keeping the bacteria in the tank alive. It is responsible for making the water clean and healthy for your fish, but if the tank gets completely dry, the bacteria will die. That’s why you need a gravel, filter and other tank parts wet.
What You Need to Do Before You Move
As we learned how crucial it is to move your tank correctly, let’s see what exactly you need.
- A siphon hose and some clean buckets
- Some special bags or containers that have never been used for chemicals
- A special pump that runs on batteries to give your fish air during the move
- Some bubble wrap moving blankets and strong boxes to protect the tank
- Some special medicine to make the water safe for your fish and a test kit to check the water
You should also stop feeding your fish about a day before you move. This will help keep their container clean and reduce waste during the move.
Take some time to measure the doors, stairs and the place where you will put the tank in your house. Make sure you know where the tank will go and that there are enough plugs for all the equipment.
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Step-by-Step: How to Take Apart Your Tank
Step 1 – Unplug the heater. Turn off the heater. Let it cool down for 30 minutes before you take it out of the tank.
Step 2 – Remove the decorations. Check for hiding fish. Make sure to check all the decorations, because some fish might be hiding in them.
Step 3 – Save some of the tank water. Save half to three-quarters of the water from the tank in some clean containers. You will use this water to transport your fish and to set up the tank in your house. This will help keep the water clean and reduce stress for your fish.
Step 4 – Move the fish carefully. Use a net to gently move your fish to some temporary containers. Keep fish separate from peaceful ones to avoid stress or injury.
Step 5 – Remove the gravel. When you take out the gravel, do not wash it. Rinse it because this can kill the good bacteria that live in it.
Step 6 – Drain, clean and pack the tank. Wrap the tank in some bubble wrap and moving blankets. Label the box clearly as fragile and mark which side is up.
A Note on Bags or Containers for Your Fish
The way you transport your fish depends on the type of fish you have. Most fish should be put in bags, because some fish can release toxins when they are stressed and some have sharp points that can hurt other fish. For fish like catfish it is better to use containers instead of bags that can get punctured.
WARNING:
Do not use containers that have had household cleaners or soap in them. Even a little bit of residue can be bad for your fish. Only rinse them with water.
If You Are Moving a Long Distance
If you are moving away, it can be very stressful for your fish. If the trip will take more than 48 hours, it might be better to find a new home for your fish, as it may not be able to live through the move. You can also ask your fish store if they can take care of your fish and send them to you, when your tank is set up.
Setting Up Your Tank in Your New House
Move the tank last. Set it up first. Fill the tank with the water you saved. Only about half full. Then add the equipment. Turn it on. Make sure the heater has time to warm up the water, before you add the fish.
After you move your tank might have some problems, like water or bad things, in the water. Check the water for things 3 to 5 days after you move and do something about it, if you need to.
Be patient. Check the tank every day for the first week. Do not feed your fish much, check the temperature and watch your fish for any signs of sickness or stress.
