Moving ideas and questions ...

[Kamdavid]

So we’re moving the beginning of July ... I have questions and ideas for the tanks ...

Here’s my idea :
Should I remove all fish , plants , and decor from tank and place into a five gallon bucket during the move with water from the tank ... that way the tank will be easier for me to lift and carry out of this house and into the new one ? It’s a 20 gallon. The move is about 35 minutes .

 

[Byron]

Never lift and carry a tank of this size with anything in it but empty space. The weight will cause the frame to shift and break the seal.

When I moved last year I used the 12-15 liter rectangular food containers with lids; opaque, not clear, which is less stress to the fish. Use the water from the tank for the container(s), but there is no value in using it for the tank being set up, provided parameters (GH, pH and temperature) are relatively similar. Some decor and plants can be placed in the container(s) to further calm the fish.

 

[Kamdavid]

Never lift and carry a tank of this size with anything in it but empty space. The weight will cause the frame to shift and break the seal.

When I moved last year I used the 12-15 liter rectangular food containers with lids; opaque, not clear, which is less stress to the fish. Use the water from the tank for the container(s), but there is no value in using it for the tank being set up, provided parameters (GH, pH and temperature) are relatively similar. Some decor and plants can be placed in the container(s) to further calm the fish.

Yea I have a 5 gallon bucket which isn’t clear , so I plan on putting the fish and plants into that. And draining the tank completely so it can be moved easily.

 

[FishGuest5123]

That’s what I do. I also place the decor and plants in with the fish too, as Byron mentioned. I place the gravel in a separate bucket of tank water since it’s heavy. Good luck!

 

[Kamdavid]

That’s what I do. I also place the decor and plants in with the fish too, as Byron mentioned. I place the gravel in a separate bucket of tank water since it’s heavy. Good luck!

So I should remove the sand too from
The tank when moving ? I can’t leave it in ?

 

[FishGuest5123]

I wouldn’t. You don’t want any weight/pressure on the bottom of your tank.

 

[Byron]

So I should remove the sand too from
The tank when moving ? I can’t leave it in ?

No, this is almost guaranteed to break the silicone seal. Keep in mind that the five panes of glass are held together by the silicon, with a plastic frame (usually). The glass itself is heavy, which is why you never move a tank on your own but alwasys have two people, unless it is fairly small. Any weight in the tank will add considerable stress to the silicon. Another good idea is to carry the tank with a sheet of plywood or particle board under it, so the two people carry the sheet of wood and not the tank itself. It really is very easy to bend that silicon seal.