Moving Tanks - advice sought

[chris_1127]

I've just won via good ol' ebay a 4ft tank with an 8" oscar in it for a very reasonable price (however the missus is going to kill me!!!). I'm going to have to move the tank about 5 miles home, whats the best way to go about this and hopefully keep the gravel/filter/fish alive? I'm guessing that im going to need to completely strip and empty the tank as i dont fancy moving with gravel or water in it; will the filter be ok for an hour or so in a bucket of tankwater? Also how do you transport an 8" oscar safely? Thanks in advance!!

 

[Rodders]

I would keep some gravel in a bucket under tank water to keep the bacteria alive.
Keep the filter under tank water too as you said should keep that alive too.
Get the tank home and reset up as fast as possible, check for leaks of course before filling it up with deco.
If your using different gravel, hang the old stuff in a tight for a few days. If your using the same gravel, chuck it in.

As for transporting an 8" oscar, a bloody big bucket i guess!!!!

 

[jmoore2187]

My 7" Jack Dempsey made it 14 miles back to the lfs safely in a five gallon bucket. Just watch the potholes.

 

[hellohefalump]

When I moved house I transported four large (approx 6-11") goldfish all the way across London in a bucket in a taxi. Stupid taxi driver wanted me to put the bucket in the boot of the car!! With no cover!!!!! I refused and they ended up on the floor between my legs so they didn't spill. anyway... they were fine. the journey was over an hour (they're coldwater fish though...).

 

[CFC]

The best way to move fish and filter media is in bags like they package fish at the lfs, remember that bacteria consume masses of oxygen so buy some oxygenating tablets (available at any good lfs) and stick a few in the bag containing the media before you seal it.

 

[chris_1127]

cheers for the help, will probably be making the move this weekend!!!

 

[andyj]

Chris,

Was keeping my eye on that tank, but wasn't around towards the end of the auction to place my bid !!!

If you need a hand moving the tank, I might be able to offer a hand or two

 

[Discomafia]

Don't forget to check the water params. from the tank and the water you use to do w/c's with, and the ones in your tank now. Don't want to cause too much of a shock when acclimatising the oscar...

 

[chris_1127]

nice looking tank isnt it? won it at a very good price too so very happy Thanks for the offer of the help with the move, hopefully a friend with a van is gonna give me a hand on sunday but if not will drop you an email to the addy in the profile.

I think in the long term the oscar may have to be rehomed, I've had orders from she-who-must-be-obeyed that we do not need four tanks in the living room, so i will have to move my barb community in there. Whilst i am sure the oscar wouldnt mind being housed with some fast food, i dont think the barbs would be so keen!! I am going to push my luck though and try keeping the 4 tanks as long as i can!!

 

[andyj]

Yeah no worries mate

If you really do have to get rid of 1 or 2 of your smaller tanks..... just give me a shout.... I feel a mild case of MTS coming on

 

[chris_1127]

ok will do - it will probably be a rekord 60 with a virtually new pedestal thats going, its currently housing dwarf puffers, bumblebee gobies and otos (plus some very-lucky-so-far shrimp - only lost half of one cherry shrimp to the DP's to date!!), i will move these to what is currently my barb tank and fill the empty space with peackock gobies!!

 

[andyj]

how many litres is the Reckord 60 ?!? Let me guess...... 60 ?!?

might be a bit small for what I was planning (L134 species tank - 110+ litre ideally).... but I'm sure I could think of something to put in it !!! lol

 

[chris_1127]

yeah 60l unfortunately, it was my first tank, back when i thought one small tank in the corner of the room might look nice!!! Makes a good home for the fish that are currently in it but isnt really enough useful space for any number of decent sized fish. I want to hang on to the other 2 really as they are a more useful size - 20g and 30g

discomafia - cheers for the tip, will make sure i check the parameters before i let him loose.

 

[fuzzyferret]

I did this some time ago, and didn't enjoy the experience much at all!

As the others say, keep the gravel/filter medium wet, and put all back together asap at the other end.

For the fish, I've found the best method is a picnic cool box - you know the large solid plastic lined ones. I recently moved a 12" pleco a couple of hundred miles, and the temperature didn't change at all!
Keep minimum water level (obviously enough to cover the fish!) and the rest is air - the lid fits pretty tightly and is easily carried. Better than a bucket, but the same idea!

Best of luck!

 

[chris_1127]

thats a great idea! thanks for that i will go find me a picnic box today!!