Moving Tank To New House

777james777

Fish Crazy
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Hello,

I have been enjoying my tank for almost two years now and after help from here it’s been very successful. The good bacteria is present and everything is great.

However, we will be moving house in the near future. What’s the best way to move 160 litre tank with approx 25 fish from one location to another (10 minutes away) without loosing the good bacteria and keeping the fish stress to a minimum?
 
That short of a move is not too difficult but will take a bit of time; maybe an entire day or even 2. Before moving day try to deep vacuum the tank & maybe lightly clean the filter a week or 2 before using dechlorinated or tank water. If you can, test the water at the new place before you move. It may be on a different water system but likely similar enough.

When it's time to tear down the tank try to keep the filter media & decor damp/wet but you don't need a lot of water. Remove most of the water, don't bother saving it except enough to move the fish. Catch the fish (easier with less water & no decor). Put them in a bucket or 2 with several inches of tank water, cover with a towel to make it darker & prevent jumping. Scoop out the substrate into another bucket with a minimum of sludge, do the best you can, a little left in the tank is OK. Plastic bags will work for plants & filter media or another bucket. Just damp is good enough.

Load up your vehicle with tank & stand, the other stuff can wait for another trip if needed. Level the tank at its new spot. If the tank is grungy add a little dechlorinated water & siphon it out to clean it, but not too much. The beneficial bacteria are on all tank surfaces including substrate & glass. Fill the tank ~halfway, don't forget the dechlor! Add the used substrate, heater & decor. Check the temp after a while!!

Fill the tank some more but not too full but enough to get the filter working. (dechlor!) & add filter(s) & make sure they're working well. Add tank lid & lights but leave the lights out just before adding the fish. Check temp again. Either net the fish out of the buckets or very gently pour them into the tank. Leave the lights off overnight & feed them lightly the next day with lights on. Keep an eye on them for the first week or 2. Vac out any uneaten food, they may need some time to adjust.

Good luck! Let us know how your move goes
 
That short of a move is not too difficult but will take a bit of time; maybe an entire day or even 2. Before moving day try to deep vacuum the tank & maybe lightly clean the filter a week or 2 before using dechlorinated or tank water. If you can, test the water at the new place before you move. It may be on a different water system but likely similar enough.

When it's time to tear down the tank try to keep the filter media & decor damp/wet but you don't need a lot of water. Remove most of the water, don't bother saving it except enough to move the fish. Catch the fish (easier with less water & no decor). Put them in a bucket or 2 with several inches of tank water, cover with a towel to make it darker & prevent jumping. Scoop out the substrate into another bucket with a minimum of sludge, do the best you can, a little left in the tank is OK. Plastic bags will work for plants & filter media or another bucket. Just damp is good enough.

Load up your vehicle with tank & stand, the other stuff can wait for another trip if needed. Level the tank at its new spot. If the tank is grungy add a little dechlorinated water & siphon it out to clean it, but not too much. The beneficial bacteria are on all tank surfaces including substrate & glass. Fill the tank ~halfway, don't forget the dechlor! Add the used substrate, heater & decor. Check the temp after a while!!

Fill the tank some more but not too full but enough to get the filter working. (dechlor!) & add filter(s) & make sure they're working well. Add tank lid & lights but leave the lights out just before adding the fish. Check temp again. Either net the fish out of the buckets or very gently pour them into the tank. Leave the lights off overnight & feed them lightly the next day with lights on. Keep an eye on them for the first week or 2. Vac out any uneaten food, they may need some time to adjust.

Good luck! Let us know how your move goes
Thank you this is all really helpful information
Much appreciated. Will be a while yet however nearer the time I will keep you updated
 
That short of a move is not too difficult but will take a bit of time; maybe an entire day or even 2. Before moving day try to deep vacuum the tank & maybe lightly clean the filter a week or 2 before using dechlorinated or tank water. If you can, test the water at the new place before you move. It may be on a different water system but likely similar enough.

When it's time to tear down the tank try to keep the filter media & decor damp/wet but you don't need a lot of water. Remove most of the water, don't bother saving it except enough to move the fish. Catch the fish (easier with less water & no decor). Put them in a bucket or 2 with several inches of tank water, cover with a towel to make it darker & prevent jumping. Scoop out the substrate into another bucket with a minimum of sludge, do the best you can, a little left in the tank is OK. Plastic bags will work for plants & filter media or another bucket. Just damp is good enough.

Load up your vehicle with tank & stand, the other stuff can wait for another trip if needed. Level the tank at its new spot. If the tank is grungy add a little dechlorinated water & siphon it out to clean it, but not too much. The beneficial bacteria are on all tank surfaces including substrate & glass. Fill the tank ~halfway, don't forget the dechlor! Add the used substrate, heater & decor. Check the temp after a while!!

Fill the tank some more but not too full but enough to get the filter working. (dechlor!) & add filter(s) & make sure they're working well. Add tank lid & lights but leave the lights out just before adding the fish. Check temp again. Either net the fish out of the buckets or very gently pour them into the tank. Leave the lights off overnight & feed them lightly the next day with lights on. Keep an eye on them for the first week or 2. Vac out any uneaten food, they may need some time to adjust.

Good luck! Let us know how your move goes
Sounds exactly perfect to me .
 

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