I am getting a free tank!!!!

[ryansfish5g]

Hi, I just found out I will be getting a free ~15 gallon tank from someone that doesn't want it anymore!!
It has fish already, and is probably cycled....I have a chem test kit, so I will be testing it....

This is what I am thinking:
Put the fish in bags, like the ones you get at a fish store...
Empty the tank to where there is water only over the gravel in hopes the good bacteria will survive....

Is that good, should I do anything else?

Also, it is a pretty good drive, how long will the fish be okay in bags before I set the tank back up?

 

[fishyme]

Hi, I just moved my tank and fish. Best way is to transfer the fish with some of the existing water into a bucket. They last alot longer that way, and they still have some swimming room, put some of the original gravel in the bottom too. As this gives them the bacteria. After I got my move done, I set up the tank, put in some fresh water, added the fish with the old water topped it up and added 2 capfuls of water conditioner. Worked like a charm. I hope this helps, see if the person you're getting the tank from can transfer the fish to the bucket the day before, as this seems to minimize the stress put on them.

FishyMe

10 Gallon Tank
3 Red Phantom Tetras
2 Head and Tail light Tetras
1 common pleko
1 green catfish

 

[ryansfish5g]

didn't think about a bucket, I think I will do that.

Thanks for the info!

 

[sandyd]

I just wanted to add that you can get a battery operated air pump to keep the water aerated for the fish while they are in the bucket.
Sandy

 

[ryansfish5g]

I just wanted to add that you can get a battery operated air pump to keep the water aerated for the fish while they are in the bucket.
Sandy

that is an awesome idea, I hope the LFS or petsmart has one...

OK, so I am gonna get that and a bucket, and put the fish in there with some gravel and water from the tank they are in....

Would it be okay to keep them like that for 30 hours or so....if that is okay then I can get the tank over thanksgiving...otherwise I have to wait till christmas.

 

[Inchworm]

I just wanted to add that you can get a battery operated air pump to keep the water aerated for the fish while they are in the bucket.

Hi ryansfish5g

Congradulations on the new tank It's going to be a lot of work to move it, but it's going to be well worth it!!! You will really enjoy having it!

The battery operated pumps are expensive. It might be a better value if you just get a small electric pump and an airstone. This way you can run a sponge filter, box filter or an airstone off it and it can be used as a back up if your power filter goes on the blink sometime.

Then, except for the little while that it takes to actually transport them, they can have aeration and you will have something that you will be able to use later, too. If you are moving them in a car, the motion of the car will cause the water to slosh around a bit and this will aerate them during the trip.

An important thing to do is to make sure that when you take the filter out of the tank, you immediately put it into a bag or bucket of tank water. What you want to do is to keep the bacteria in it alive and healthy. If it dries it will all die. Then when you get it home, immediately set up the other tank and get the filter running again.

I would get some gallon jugs and move as much of the original water as possible, too. If possible, try to save at least half of it.

Whenever you add new water to an established tank, be sure to dechlorinate it BEFORE adding it, because the chlorine will kill the bacteria in the tank.

How far will you have to transport the fish? I suggest that you wait for the last possible moment to take the tank down before you move it to insure the best results.

Another consideration is the temperature. You will want to keep it as close to their original temperature as possible. Do not let them go through a sudden drop because this can bring on disease.

Just take care and don't let them stay in the bucket any longer than necessary and you'll be alright.

Good luck! Be sure you let us know how everything turns out!

 

[bgraber]

ANd makes sure the bucket is clean and has never been used to wash cars etc.. Chemicals left over could kill fish.

 

[ryansfish5g]

I just wanted to add that you can get a battery operated air pump to keep the water aerated for the fish while they are in the bucket. 

Hi ryansfish5g

Congradulations on the new tank It's going to be a lot of work to move it, but it's going to be well worth it!!! You will really enjoy having it!

The battery operated pumps are expensive. It might be a better value if you just get a small electric pump and an airstone. This way you can run a sponge filter, box filter or an airstone off it and it can be used as a back up if your power filter goes on the blink sometime.

Then, except for the little while that it takes to actually transport them, they can have aeration and you will have something that you will be able to use later, too. If you are moving them in a car, the motion of the car will cause the water to slosh around a bit and this will aerate them during the trip.

An important thing to do is to make sure that when you take the filter out of the tank, you immediately put it into a bag or bucket of tank water. What you want to do is to keep the bacteria in it alive and healthy. If it dries it will all die. Then when you get it home, immediately set up the other tank and get the filter running again.

I would get some gallon jugs and move as much of the original water as possible, too. If possible, try to save at least half of it.

Whenever you add new water to an established tank, be sure to dechlorinate it BEFORE adding it, because the chlorine will kill the bacteria in the tank.

How far will you have to transport the fish? I suggest that you wait for the last possible moment to take the tank down before you move it to insure the best results.

Another consideration is the temperature. You will want to keep it as close to their original temperature as possible. Do not let them go through a sudden drop because this can bring on disease.

Just take care and don't let them stay in the bucket any longer than necessary and you'll be alright.

Good luck! Be sure you let us know how everything turns out!

Wow, incredibly informative, I wish I had time to check this thread again before I left!

Unfortunately the filter was already out of the tank and dry when I got there... Anyways, I did keep the gravel wet, and I also transported some of the gravel in the bottom of the bucket. Hopefully this was enough.

Oh, and you are right, the battery operated pump was like $13.... buuuut I ended up driving a lot, up to 7 hours in one of many trips....so maybe it was worth it. I can always use it again when I move apartments.

Here are some pics of my new tank and my other tank:
My new 10 gallon tank pics

 

[ryansfish5g]

ANd makes sure the bucket is clean and has never been used to wash cars etc.. Chemicals left over could kill fish.

good point, I ended up buying a minnow bait bucket from academy, worked great!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ryansfish5g

Wow, what a lot of work that was! But you did a good job of it and your new tank is lovely! Your old one is too.

Be sure you monitor your amonia, nitrite, etc. to be sure the tank is cycling (or cycled), but since you saved the gravel, it should be little problem. Once you are sure that the fish are disease free you can move the filter from the other tank and run it in the new one for a few days to add additional bacteria and accelerate the process. This won't hurt the old tank because the bacteria are well established on the glass and gravel, etc.

The new fish are lovely. Since they are tropicals, do you think you may change your plans and keep them?

 

[sandyd]

Glad to hear things went well for you. I know the battery operated air pumps are a bit pricey, but i think they are great to have on hand. I live in Louisiana, and when there is a threat of hurricane, i make sure that i know where they are. You never know how long power may be out in those times. I keep mine with all of my emergency hurricane stuff. I see you are in Texas, so i think you can relate to what i am saying. Also as i used to live in NY, with the winter coming and storms coming in, i think they are a great investment for your fish.
Sandy