Moving Tanks - The Experience

[Far_King]

So I moved my tanks last week.  

The smaller two I moved on my own previously, for the larger three I drafted in some help from a mate of mine who's an experienced fish keeper.
 
The tanks were as follows:
 
200 litre with pea gravel, live plants and bogwood
80 litre with sand, live plants and bogwood
70 litre with sand, live and silk plants and azalea root.
 
I bought the following:
Three 60 litre containers which would house thirty litres of water and all the fish, shrimp, snail, plants and bogwood for the move.
A large two handed masonry container for moving the pea gravel (there was a lot in the tank).
More buckets.
More cheap plastic one litre jugs for bailing.
 
In addition I had:
Buckets
A water change pump (invaluable and worth every penny)
A large supply of old fleece blankets and towels.
Two large estate cars
Nets,
 
First thing I did was empty the water from the 200 litre, remove the wood and the plants and net the fish.  Next I removed the remaining water and emptied the substrate in the masonry container.
 
Next I removed the water from the 80 litre and transferred all denizens and bogwood.  I left the plants and substrate as there wasn't too much in there.  Same for the 70 litre.
 
As for the equipment I left as much in place as possible.  Filter ends I fed back through, removed filters from cabinets and placed plastic bags over the ends and zip tied shut to contain any remaining water.
 
Loaded the cars up and reversed the process at the other end with the 70 litre stock (was a QT tank) going into the 80 litre and the plants and wood from that tank going into the 200.  I filled up using a hose pipe and topped up with hot water and mixed well before adding and livestock back in.
 
I only lost one fish during the move, a Celestial Pearl Danio.  I lost one of my Flying Foxes a couple of days afterwards - too much stress I think.
 
All other fish are doing fine.
 
This process sounds straightforward but it took six hours!  I don't think it could have been accomplished any faster.
 
I may take this up as a full time job and offer my services as it's pretty stressful and difficult.  All accomplished without spilling a drop
 

 

[nic1]

Wow, sounds like a mare, I always dread moving day! Im always mentally prepared and come the day I hope it works out how I visioned it but it never does! 
I have to move the 300L tank soon as we are getting rid of the window in exchange for french doors and once again Im dreading just moving it across the front room! (At least its not to another home this time!)
 
Well done you though…6 hours is an accomplishment! 

 

[Far_King]

I was looking at getting a 450 litre tank from the same guy who helped me move.  I've now ruled that out entirely!
 
Moving any tank isn't that simple and I don't envy you having to move a 300.  The smaller tanks I moved I emptied to perhaps 30% and covered with cling film, left the shrimps in place but my fighter went into a little tub.  They were a doddle to move and set back up.
 
Good luck with the move, even if it is just across the room.
 
I'm buying another place shortly with a view to renovate and move in there, so I'll be doing it all again in a couple of months....

 

[Akasha72]

I'm on a waiting list to move myself but because I had to strip my 240 a year ago to move it out the room for a new carpet fitted I know how stressful it is. I've already decided ... when I get the call to say a new home is waiting for me I'm heading straight to my lfs and I'm ordering a brand new tank! That way it can be set up with new everything (except filters obviously) and I can just move the fish. No way am I taking this tank to a new home and setting it up and moving fish - not happening. Way too stressful for me