Moving With Fish

[Cricketfish]

I have to move to a new apartment next month. My 5 gallon freshwater tank is coming with me along with my three xray tetras. This is my first tank and I have only had it for a year. I have no idea how to start taking it apart and resettling my fish somewhere else. Does anyone have tips?

 

[hensonc4098]

When I moved my fish tank, I put my fish (danios) into a fish bag like you would get at the LFS, drained as much of the water out of the tank as I could, scooped most of the sand into a washing up bowl and then chucked it all in the car. Got to the other end, set up the tank on the stand, put the sand back in, filled it, replanted the plants (I put them in a separate fish bag to keep them moist on the journey) used some boiled water to raise the temperature, got the filter and heater going and then re-acclimatised the fish, as the water was different.

No point in trying to take excess water with you - just make sure that your filter media is kept at least moist, if not in some water for the journey so that your bacteria doesn't die off en route

 

[Yanks15]

When I moved my fish tank, I put my fish (danios) into a fish bag like you would get at the LFS, drained as much of the water out of the tank as I could, scooped most of the sand into a washing up bowl and then chucked it all in the car. Got to the other end, set up the tank on the stand, put the sand back in, filled it, replanted the plants (I put them in a separate fish bag to keep them moist on the journey) used some boiled water to raise the temperature, got the filter and heater going and then re-acclimatised the fish, as the water was different.

No point in trying to take excess water with you - just make sure that your filter media is kept at least moist, if not in some water for the journey so that your bacteria doesn't die off en route

Did exactly that but filled the bucket that I use for WC with a bit of tank water and dropped my sponges and ceramics in. No problem setting back up.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I did similar (moved 1 1/2 months ago). I took two 4 litre jugs with water and fish in them (was easier and less worry for me than bags). Also used some food containers filled with tank water to place my filters in.... I drained my tanks and left about 2 inches of water (above gravel level) for my plants and not to stress the bottom of my tank too much from the weight.

I made sure to take the whole lot and set it up straight away as not to make it a long and stressful time for the fish.

 

[hensonc4098]

Did exactly that but filled the bucket that I use for WC with a bit of tank water and dropped my sponges and ceramics in. No problem setting back up.

Lol, I put my filter stuff in a sandwich bag - such class

 

[zain611]

Was thinking about this as my dad is going to do my room and i have to move my tank downstairs. What i would do is put the fish in a bowl or those plastic bags which you get in the fish shop were the fish keeper puts them in as i have 2 saved then i would empty as much water into buckets untill the tank is less heavy then move the tank down stairs and refill the tank with water and safely put the fish back in

 

[hensonc4098]

I just remembered too - if you're taking plants and stuff, take them all out along with your hardscape etc and drain some water before catching the fish. Means they're in proper aerated water for the longest time possible