Moving Home

rich · Mar 19, 2010

I am moving home in 7 days and need to move my fish tank. My plan is to remove 70% of the water, stop the heater etc, put the filters in the remaining water to prevent the good stuff dying. Get 3 people to carry it to the car and take it the 5 miles to my new house, unload and refill. It is only a 60l tank.

My questions:
- I have never done a 70% water change before, will the fish be OK with this?
- Will it still be too heavy to carry?
- What about water temperature? I will not be able to put buckets out in advance to warm up. Should I add some boiling water to each bucket then put it in the tank with the additive?
- How long have I got to do this? If they can survive in a bag for an hour, how long in 20l water?
- Is there a better way of doing things?
- What have I missed?

I am going to try and find related posts to help me

Ben M · Mar 19, 2010

i wouldn't move the tank with any water in it, as the bottom may crack/shatter.

cheers :good:

rich · Mar 19, 2010

Thanks for that. Although my tank has got black plastic bottom that it sits in, I think. Would this make any difference?

chesterscot · Mar 19, 2010

empty your tank it isnt worth the risk put the fish in as big a bucket as you can and any filter media keep wet
place the heater in the bucket with your fish
when moved assemble your tank put enough water in to cover your fish then put the heater in flat so it can start warming match any water you put in roughly with the same temp as your fish are in and away you go you can use warm water to help raise the temp but I would not add boiled or boiling water
when you have enough water in the tank at a good temp put your fish in but float them like you would if new to minimise stress
thats how ive done it hope this helps
scot

rich · Mar 19, 2010

that's great thanks. But how do I float my fish in a bucket in a tank? Is warm tap water OK to use?

Malt_Vinegar · Mar 19, 2010

I moved my fish in a large plastic container (about 60 litres) half filled with a lid.

I have an inverter in my car, which lets me plug in mains plugs, so i plugged in my heater and a corner filter (which had been matured in my main tank) and this was fine for transporting my fish over a two hour journey. I also dismantled my external filter, and put the media part into the tank with the fish, secured to the side to stop it flopping about.

I reckon it would have been good for a couple of days travelling at least.

When I arrived, I moved the empty tank into place, and filled with new treated water up to half way. Got it up to temperature, and then moved the fish wholesale into the tank with the travelling water.

Topped it up with more treated tap water, and then moved the external filter into place. Job done

Inchworm · Mar 19, 2010

Hi rich

When you arrive at your destination, be sure to check the pH of the local water before doing anything else. If it is different you will want to add it to the water you transported your fish in, a little at a time, to avoid pH shock.