Moving 4ft tropical tank

[Schzam]

Evening.

I have just finished making a new stand for a 4ft aquarium. I am going to go to the local pet shop to get some water carriers, bags and poly boxes to transport the fish and water in.

my question is I suppse, once I have got about 60-70% of the water out, the gish in boxes/bags and the plants etc all sort... what is the best way to set up the tank once it has been moved. As in water in first ? gravel first etc ? Do I need to let the water settle etc etc etc

Many thanks

 

[Byron]

You need to completely empty the tank before moving it to avoid pressure on the frame which can break the seal; even a couple inches of water can cause this. Once in the new spot, level, add the substrate. If you use the existing substrate, it will greatly help to maintain the biological system; Imight give it a rinse, depending upon the condition. Arrange the hardscape, then add some fresh water. If you have live plants, they can go in at this point. This will stir the substrate up again, so after planting I tend to drain the tank completely, then carefully fill with fresh water using a bowl or similar to avoid stirring things up too much.

The existing water is of no benefit assuming the parameters will be much the same (tap water and tank water, GH, KH, pH). However, it can sometimes help to mix the waters in the temporary tank/boxes of the fish. I have re-set tanks many times and never used old water in a new tank. Use a conditioner when adding fresh water, and have it at roughly the same temperature as the fish water.

I always house the fish in a temporary tank, a spare 20g usually, and in that I syphon tank water, put in the hardscape, then the fish. I use the hardscape in the new tank, and then do a partial water change using water from the new tank when filled in the temporary tank, half/half, then net the fish over. I like the temporary taqnk as it allows you time to finalize the new tank without rushing, and you can deal with any issues should they arise. I usually don't clean the filter; keep it running in the temporary tank if you can, then just move it over.

Byron.

 

[Schzam]

You need to completely empty the tank before moving it to avoid pressure on the frame which can break the seal; even a couple inches of water can cause this. Once in the new spot, level, add the substrate. If you use the existing substrate, it will greatly help to maintain the biological system; Imight give it a rinse, depending upon the condition. Arrange the hardscape, then add some fresh water. If you have live plants, they can go in at this point. This will stir the substrate up again, so after planting I tend to drain the tank completely, then carefully fill with fresh water using a bowl or similar to avoid stirring things up too much.

The existing water is of no benefit assuming the parameters will be much the same (tap water and tank water, GH, KH, pH). However, it can sometimes help to mix the waters in the temporary tank/boxes of the fish. I have re-set tanks many times and never used old water in a new tank. Use a conditioner when adding fresh water, and have it at roughly the same temperature as the fish water.

I always house the fish in a temporary tank, a spare 20g usually, and in that I syphon tank water, put in the hardscape, then the fish. I use the hardscape in the new tank, and then do a partial water change using water from the new tank when filled in the temporary tank, half/half, then net the fish over. I like the temporary taqnk as it allows you time to finalize the new tank without rushing, and you can deal with any issues should they arise. I usually don't clean the filter; keep it running in the temporary tank if you can, then just move it over.

Byron.

Many thanks.

But I do not have another tank, so the fish will be in the poly boxes or bags... so I guess time is of the essence.

 

[Byron]

Many thanks.

But I do not have another tank, so the fish will be in the poly boxes or bags... so I guess time is of the essence.

The boxes should work better, definitely do not rely on bags. Aside from that, a spare 20g tank is a worthwhile investment, and the tank on its own is all you need and these are not expensive.

 

[Gruntle]

I am assuming you're just moving an existing tank within your house (not to another house).

Do you have an external (canister) filter on the tank?

If so, you may try a plastic box (most outlet stores I've seen sell them fairly cheaply, for example a heavy duty 100l box for under $20 Australian). Give the box a rinse out, then siphon the water from your tank into the box, move the fish and then run the filter as if the plastic box was a fish tank. This will give you way more time than if you were keeping the fish in bags or boxes.

Other than that, follow Byron's advice and make sure your tank is completely empty when moving it, they're heavy enough without having substrate or water in them, let alone structural issues (as Byron mentioned).