Moving an established aquarium

[FishSticks]

Hello I was wondering if it was possible to move my aquarium without having to cycle the tank all over again. I only have 21 days left and I still don't know the best way to do this, please help!
PS/ It's only a 10 minute trip from where I currently live, if that's any help.

 

[Bol]

It is possible.

What's the size of the tank?

 

[Teelie]

My suggestion:

Drain the water into as few clean water containers as possible that you and anyone helping you can lift. Too many and it's a pain in the ass to move it all, too heavy, and well that's obvious.

Don't drain it completely though. Leave enough to keep the gravel wet and the filter cartridge in the tank so it keeps the bacteria alive longer.

Move the fish in medium sized buckets or large bowls with a secure top if possible and move them first. That way they are already at your new place when you're ready to set up or have some kind of emergency.

Once you're there, with the water, the fish, the tank, etc. Set it up and get it working as quickly as possible, preferably where you want it to stay as it'll be a pain and stress for you and the fish to break it down again to move it again to it's proper place.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

From what I've been told, the bacteria can replenish itself rapidly, so as long as you have a sufficient amount of it saved over, you should be fine.

Just try to keep as much of the water as possible in buckets, as stated above, and empty out the tank to keep it from breaking.

 

[FishSticks]

Sorry I forgot to mention, it's a small 10 gallon aquarium.

Don't drain it completely though. Leave enough to keep the gravel wet and the filter cartridge in the tank so it keeps the bacteria alive longer.

That's what worried me the most, I thought the bacteria wouldn't be able to survive the trip.
I will try your suggestions, hopefully my fish won't get sick.

 

[Teelie]

They ought to be fine. They should be able to survive for a few days in enough quantity so long as they remain in water.