Diggly

I am due to move next weekend and wanted to know the best way to move a 20g tank with 3 bettas, My main concern is the pH difference in the water (if any) causing a shock but then I could be worrying about nothing!

steed1172

well if the PH level is your main concern, is it possible to get a sample of your new homes tap water to test?.and if it is more(or less) that 0.2 PPM off of the PH level of the water their used to slowly change out the water slowly so your fishies get used to it, such as 5% water change per day.(even if tests show same ph water conditions can still vary)
good luck the with moving, happy homes make happy fish!!...idk lol :P

Craig-D

Get a 5 gallon bucket and fill it partly with tank water and the rest with treated fresh water. Put the fish in and a lid on it, but be mindful they will need oxygen if it's a long move of more than a few hours, so you may have to get a battery operated air pump. You may also want to put some ammonia-removing product in there as well. I wouldn't recommend putting 3 bettas together, but if you already had them in the tank together, I guess you have the rare bettas that won't kill each other.

Drain and break down your tank. All the contents and filter media should be placed in containers filled with treated water to maintain your biological filter, so you don't have to recycle the tank when you set it up at your new destination. It should survive for a few hours as well. Test the water in the new location. If it's significantly different, then slowly acclimate the fish by adding some of the new water in your bucket every 10 minutes for an hour - after it's been treated of course.

eiginh

If you use most of the existing water from your 20g (70-75%) then top the rest with the new tap water it wouldn't hurt the bettas. It's like doing a water change with different water...

Diggly

its 10 minutes away so not a big move , I cant put them all in a bucket as they are bettas, I was thinking of 3 seperate containers and a bucket with water from here.

Craig-D

That's what I figured. Just use 3 small covered tupperware containers that have never been washed with soap for the fish. All your tank contents and filter media can go in a bucket with treated water to keep your beneficial bacteria alive. That will save you from a new cycle.

eiginh

Yes, those 5 gallon buckets aren't that heavy either so that would work perfectly! Don't forget the lids!!!

kacie

What are you going to do with that 125g tank?

Diggly

That is staying put and I will be going round weekly to do water tests and changes etc.

It is around my bfs parents which is where we are now and they have grown attached to the fish so it makes sense .

I have taught them about the nitrogen cycle and I am spending a few days teaching them my feeding routine with them.