Moving House Moving Tanks Help!

[FingersofFish]

Hi there,
 
I am due to move house next wednesday and have 2 aquariums to move.
 
The main one i'm worried about is a 130L planted tank, external heater/filter with a glued down/fixed hardscape that can't be moved.
 
Weight isnt an issue as I have a lot of people helping out, but what worries me is how I move the fish without distressing them too much, The new house is only 5 minutes drive and I have a 25L hospital tank which can be carried even when full of water - would it be wise to move all fish (2x Dwarf Gourami, 5x Cherry Barb, 3x Dwarf Rainbow, 4x Brilliant Rasbora) into this small tank for the journey, or would transport bags be better?.
 
Another note, how long should I give myself to catch all of the fish (bearing in mind ive never done it before and the hardscape can't be moved!).
 
Additionally what is the best way to transport the water to the new house? I was aiming to take at least 50% with me if not 75%.
 
 
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Other tank is a 70L small tank, the fish in this are due to be rehomed and the tank shut down and sold (no space for 2 tanks in my new home ... what is the best way to go about doing this i.e draining water off etc. etc.
 
 
Thanks for any help.
 
Regards
 
Jacob.

 

[Ch4rlie]

I'd suggest transporting your fish stocking via bags, this is by far the easiest and safest method of transporting fish.

To catch the stocking, I've found using 2 nets the best way, one net for herding to the other net to catch them, also removing a lot of tank water, decor, plants etc helps a lot too.

And finally, you don't really need to transport 50 -75% of tank water, just ensure when you setting the tank up at new place, put in fresh water, get it to temp and of course dechlorinator.
Since your only moving 5 minutes away, the water hardness and ph should be roughly, if not the same, as your current tap water, this makes it one less thing to worry about really.

Fish should be fine in the transporting bags for a while providing the temp does not drop too much.

 

[l_l_l]

When I moved my 4 aquariums, I put all my fish in transport bags.
I had to remove most of the water to catch the fish tho as they are all very fast.
I did not bring any water with me as I moved away only 5 minutes away as well.

 

[Byron]

I agree.  Fish bagged with sufficient water and air and packed in a dark box will survive fairly well.  Keep the decor moist...drain the tank obviously but you can place something like paper towels or a clean cloth over the decor and wet it thoroughly.
 
If the tank can be off-loaded first at the new place, you can fill it with correct-temperature tap water, add sufficient conditioner, get the filter/heater running, float the bagged fish as soon as possible, then after 15 minutes or so release the fish.
 
Byron.