Moving My Aquarium

[fishstick]

My kitchen (where my aquarium is) is having a refit in June lasting a week. I know in theory what to do - save water, catch fish, move to temp location in next room etc, but am anxious about the filter and how long it can survive. These operations always take longer than one plans for and I am now realising how big this one is. Has anyone any useful tips? I feel it is going to be a stressful time for the fish (and for me) and any good ideas from past experience would be gratefully received. My tank is a Juwel 180 litres.

 

[ptyson21]

What i did when i was moving my 65l was i took half the water out n left the fish in the tank. I removed enough water so that me n another person could lift it, then replaced the water n hey presto. Didnt have any fish die on me n i have done this twice. I understand your tank is bigger but maybe that just means you need more man power. Hope this helps.

 

[SuperColey1]

Buy any old cheapo dustbin.
Clean it thoroughly. F
ill it 1/4 full from the tank water
Transfer the fish in
Move it into the next room slowly by rotating it at an angle until in the next room.
Plug in the filter and heater and insert into tank (add more dechlorinated water first)
Move the tank into new situe
Sort out all decorations, site it exactly where it will stay.
Reverse the process by transferring half water from bin into tank
Transferring fish
Transfer rest of water
Insert filter and heater
Job Done.

When I changed from gravel to sand and at the same time went planted I left them in a bin with filtration and heater for about 8 hours while I sorted the whole job out. cleaning the tank putting in substrate topping with sand, planting etc.

Andy

 

[fishstick]

You both make it sound easy and no big deal and I feel encouraged. In a Juwel aquarium the filter and heater are fixed into it, however, I think if I dont hang about on the changeover it will be ok. Many thanks.

 

[Teelie]

So long as the bacteria on the filter media are kept wet, they could last several hours without the filter running. I did a move today. One tank into another. It was basically move from left to right with the tanks next to each other but it's the same thing as moving a tank, only without the extra hauling distance. It took me about 3 hours to completely break down one tank and set it up in the other but with the filter getting the occasional pour of water and the fish kept in a bucket with a towel covering them, it went off without a hitch. Your move shouldn't take so much time since this is just moving a tank, not moving everything from it into another tank.

 

[fishstick]

So long as the bacteria on the filter media are kept wet, they could last several hours without the filter running. I did a move today. One tank into another. It was basically move from left to right with the tanks next to each other but it's the same thing as moving a tank, only without the extra hauling distance. It took me about 3 hours to completely break down one tank and set it up in the other but with the filter getting the occasional pour of water and the fish kept in a bucket with a towel covering them, it went off without a hitch. Your move shouldn't take so much time since this is just moving a tank, not moving everything from it into another tank.

Thanks Teelie I'm nervous about the move but it's got to be done. At least it will give me the chance to give the tank a good clean, the substrate particularly.

 

[drtim]

If you take out the baskets within the juwel filter and but them in a bucket of tank water that will keep the bacteria alive for the move!

 

[fishstick]

If you take out the baskets within the juwel filter and but them in a bucket of tank water that will keep the bacteria alive for the move!

Thanks, drtim, its a good idea - as the move will have to be quick, it will give me extra time.