teddybear22482

Im moving 1000 miles away and I want to know what would be the best way to move my fish and tank... any advise?

Isabella

That's a tough thing to do, I can only imagine! That's why I am not getting any big tanks for myself now because I will be moving too in a couple of years, or even sooner. And if you have a big tank, it's really hard, if not impossible, to move it great distances. How large is your tank? What kinds and how many fish do you have in it?

I am sure there is nevertheless a way to move your tank, even if it's larger. Carol and Gunnie will probably tell you what to do and how to do it I personally think that the weather (the temperature outside) is a big factor when moving fish. You could simply put them in a plastic bag for a quick car trip, especially when temperature outside is warm and stable. But I am not sure what to do when you're moving such a great distance. Hmm ...

fish_r_friend

heres what a freind of mine did with his tank he set up one at his new place and cycled it then mailed the fish to his place while flying up their himself

Marc

Yes, knowing the size and what fish you have would be a great help, as well as what the weather will be like.

If it's fairly small and you have a small amount of fish, pack your fish up in bags, double bagged, with water from your tank. Put them in a cooler with water from the tank, and if necessary, make sure it stays above 70 degrees. As for the tank and filter, I'd imagine you'd want to save as much water as you can so your tank doesn't have to cycle all over again.

chickadee

There are the battery run air pumps that are essential for some of the longer moves, but I like the mailing idea unless you are driving. Then you could probably keep them in coolers with heat packs unless you have a LOT of fish. I ordered all my fish through the mail and most came to me during cold weather, so I would imagine this time of year would be easier to manage. They came half way across country by USPS in 2 days and the heat packs were still warm. The bags still had plenty of oxygen and they perked right up in the new environment.

Rose

teddybear22482

I have a 20 gal...It only has One small Gold Gourami and one Medium Pleco. I imagine it will be rather warm...we are driving from Ft. riley KS to Ft. Stewart GA...its about a 16 or 17 hr trip.Yes I do want to keep as much water as possible as we will be staying in Army lodging (like an Army hotel) for a week or so. If I saved most of the water the fish can still be OK until we actually get our house. My only worry is that Ive heard you cant move a tank with water in it or it will break the glass...is this true?

fish_r_friend

you could put the water in 5 gallon buckets with lids you could also put some decorations in them

luper

like cool flowers and dotted sides? I could have fun with that...
or
you mean the stuff from his tank lol


mail er up

chickadee

The only problem is that after the filter is shut down for more than about 30 minutes the bacteria start dying. Your filter won't be cycled I am afraid unless I am totally misunderstanding the situation. No you cannot move a tank (even an acrylic) with the water still in. If you were moving it across the room it would be okay to maybe have some of the water still in it, but not much. A thousand miles - no. The fish (since there are only 2) will probably be able to handle the foam cooler (6 pack size) in a bag with a battery operated air pump. My breeder/dealer who ships fish to me fasts the fish for one or two days prior to the trip so they don't have extra fish waste in the bags that they have to swim around in. It just cuts way down on the chances of Ammonia spikes in the transport.

I know Butterfly has said she has used the battery powered air pumps in transporting fish before and had good luck with them.

Rose

teddybear22482

His orders got deleted at the last moment! YAY! We dont have to move! Although because we are having another child we will be moving to a 4 br. on post a couple miles away. Whats the best way to do a short move?

chickadee

I would break the tank down and put the fish you have in a bag in a styrofoam cooler with a battery powered air pump and air stone. Take the gravel and empty tank and plants and decorations to your new location and put new treated water in and add Bio-Spira in just to reintroduce the bacteria to your filter. then put the fish back in and you are set to go.

Rose