Transporting A Fish Tank

[cathat143]

Just today I had the chance to get a used 48 gallon bow front tank and stand from someone for a really great price and I went for it. I'm excited about it, but I'm concerned about what to do when it comes time to move. I'm a college student and know (or at least hope) to be living in the place I'm at now for another 1.5 years, but I'm pretty sure I'll be somewhere else after that.

So before I get started setting up this tank, I wanted to know what the options are for moving a tank this size.. and keeping the fish. Would it be too stressful for them if I lowered the water level a lot and drove it to wherever I end up? Other than that, I can't think of what I'd do besides giving up the fish to someone and starting over in a new place.

Thanks for your help,

John

 

[starrynightxxi]

well, you COULD do that, but having gone with that option in the past, it's really not the best plan. There'll be a lot of sloshing and I don't know about you, but my 29 long is hard for me to move between weight, shape, and sharp glass edges when it's empty, let alone with water. I can't imagine trying move a 48, even a bow, with decorations and water and fish in it.

1.5 years is a good long time to have a tank sitting around not doing anything when you're a college student with limited space, so I would set it up, personally. When it comes time to move, get some plastic bags from a pet store, bag up your fish and filter media, and put 'em all in in a shipping box (cardboard box with styrofoam for padding and insulation.) Then you can empty out your tank.

When I was moving, that's what I did with my fish and filter media. Then I completely emptied out my tank and used it to pack up all my tank stuff (decorations, heaters, filters, smaller tanks, etc. That way it could all go in the trunk together which saved me a lot of room.

 

[Tolak]

Here's a link to moving a tank; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=129060

Fish are shipped next day all the time, bagging for 12-24 hours poses no problem when done properly. Tanks are only designed to hold anything when they are not moving, and supported on a stand. Moving with any water, or even wet substrate can stress the seams and frame, which could result in anything from a slight leak to the tank having a catastrophic failure.

I have a 72 gallon bow I got for free, someone decided it would be easier to move it with the substrate, a couple inches of water, and fish.

Cracked top brace, a necessary structural member, now reinforced with some steel.

 

[cathat143]

Thanks to both of you, that was a big help.

 

[scolby]

If you set up now and want to keep the water when you move it, so you don't have to deal with cycling the tank again, I recommend the big water jugs that go in the top of water coolers (the kind they have at offices) or the water coolers they use at football games for the players (i've bough them at home depot in the passed).

 

[erk628]

If you set up now and want to keep the water when you move it, so you don't have to deal with cycling the tank again, I recommend the big water jugs that go in the top of water coolers (the kind they have at offices) or the water coolers they use at football games for the players (i've bough them at home depot in the passed).

It's not the water that makes you tank cycled its your filter media.

 

[smegforbrains]

All I would suggest is completely emptying the tank but keep the filter immersed in tank water (in a Tupperware container or similar) to keep the bacteria alive.

if you are setting up almost straight away, switch the filter on and leave it in the tank water while you sort out the tank

 

[waterdrop]

Correct, the beneficial bacteria can easily go 5 or some more hours without the filter running and without their sources of ammonia and oxygen as long as they are kept wet and then brought back into a correct situation that restores the sources and the water movement.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Rooster]

Write this out 100 times "I MUST NEVER MOVE A TANK THATS NOT EMPTY !"
Fish adapt to "stressfull" situations a lot easier than humans - I do wish folk would stop humanising them !

I have moved home a few times in the past... and have used an old "bottle steriliser" from when the brats, err kids were little.

Dont feed for a few days before the move.
Syphon tank water into sealable container (steriliser had a screw on lid) pop in a few plants and the fish.
more tank water into a bucket (preferably with lid again) with filter and rest of plants.
another bucket, or STRONG plastic bag(s) for gravel or sand.

At the other end the EMPTY tank was given a quick wipe over, when levelled... then the substrate, plants fresh water + dechlor.... brought upto temp, add equipment and power up, after a couple of hours the fish can be added.

A FAR more suitable arrangement, if possible, is to set up another tank at the other end before the move.

 

[waterdrop]

"A FAR more suitable arrangement, if possible, is to set up another tank at the other end before the move."

I don't understand this, no WAIT, I get it! You're saying that its important to tell your spouse, ahead of time, that fish can't be moved, except to a much larger, much fancier tank, right??


~~waterdrop~~

 

[drobbyb]

"A FAR more suitable arrangement, if possible, is to set up another tank at the other end before the move."

I don't understand this, no WAIT, I get it! You're saying that its important to tell your spouse, ahead of time, that fish can't be moved, except to a much larger, much fancier tank, right??


~~waterdrop~~

 

[vinylman]

"A FAR more suitable arrangement, if possible, is to set up another tank at the other end before the move."

I don't understand this, no WAIT, I get it! You're saying that its important to tell your spouse, ahead of time, that fish can't be moved, except to a much larger, much fancier tank, right??


~~waterdrop~~

Yes - but make sure you empty the knife drawer before you tell them.

 

[OldMan47]

I think I can see where that would be needed VinylMan.

 

[paulypaul182]

Just today I had the chance to get a used 48 gallon bow front tank and stand from someone for a really great price and I went for it. I'm excited about it, but I'm concerned about what to do when it comes time to move. I'm a college student and know (or at least hope) to be living in the place I'm at now for another 1.5 years, but I'm pretty sure I'll be somewhere else after that.

So before I get started setting up this tank, I wanted to know what the options are for moving a tank this size.. and keeping the fish. Would it be too stressful for them if I lowered the water level a lot and drove it to wherever I end up? Other than that, I can't think of what I'd do besides giving up the fish to someone and starting over in a new place.

Thanks for your help,

John

Ive done this quite a few times and have always been successful. I basically asked the other person to keep the filter in some of the old tank water in one bucket. In another bucket, put a bin liner in along with some more tank water...this is for the fish. Then get them to empty the entire tank of water using a gravel vacum. They will need at least two buckets for this so they can continue the water flow in the gravel cleaner without having to stop and start it. Empty all rocks and plants out of the tank. If there are live plants them pop them in with your fish. All you have left now is an empty tank with substrate in it. Move that carefully and as soon as you get home, get the tank filled with water and get the filter straight in there. It would be best to use a heavy layer of bubble wrap to cover the gravel while you are filling the tank as no doubt the substrate will be dirty. Dont forget, dont let untreated tap water touch your filter, get the dechlorinator in your tank before putting the filter in. When your tank is half full, its time to aquascpae the tank as it is far easier when the tank isnt full.
Then, make sure your water gets to the right temperature. This bit is where many may not agree with me. When I acclimatise fish in a bucket, I gradually pour in about a pint or two of water straight from the tank every 10 minutes for about an hour. By the way, its best to keep this bucket of fish in a warm and dimmly lit room to avoid stress. Once you are happy with the temperature of the water, gently net your fish and pop them in the tank. Keep the lights off for about 4 hours to allow them to settle in.