Moving Tanks.

HI everyone. So I'm Moving about 3 hours away. Just wanted to know the best way to take my aquariums, and keep them cycled. They are 2 ten gallon tanks, one divided. I know most beneficial bacteria is in the filter but would it be good to take some gallons of the old water with me? What about the substrate? Is it OK to completely wash it off or should I keep it somehow with the bacteria that's in it already? My plants, I'm wrapping in wet paper towels. The sponge filters will be submerged in old water in some sort of bucket. The fish, 2 betas, 3 mollys, 5 Cory cats I'm not sure of. (no they are not in the same tanks). The betas I'm thinking will go in there old cups they came with but what's the best way for the others to be moved? Would the old bags keep them alive Long enough? I plan on setting up the tanks immediately upon arrival. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

If I were moving 10 gallon tanks I would take the fish out. The betta can be put in their original cups but I would put them in something bigger. Maybe you either have or could get some it the bigger rubbermaid food storage containers. They have a tight fitting lid so sloshing water won't escape. If you can get some that are big enough you could also use one for mollies and one for corys. You could then set these containers in an ice chest if you have one to help maintain the proper temp.

I would try to keep as much of the water as possible. The bacteria doesn't live in the water but it is the water both your fish and bacteria are used to so reusing it should be less stressful once the tanks are set back up. If you can only keep half of the water from each tank when you fill the tanks with fresh water it will be like doing a 50% water change.

You can remove and wrap your plants if you want to but you could also just leave then planted. I would remove any of the decorations other than the plants and put the deco in the buckets of water along with your sponge filters.

Leave just enough water in the tank to cover the substrate and then tightly seal the top of each tank with saran (plastic wrap). By doing it this way you will be saving the bacteria on your substrate and walls of your tanks and it should also keep your plants wet should you decide to leave them in there. .

 

If I were moving 10 gallon tanks I would take the fish out. The betta can be put in their original cups but I would put them in something bigger. Maybe you either have or could get some it the bigger rubbermaid food storage containers. They have a tight fitting lid so sloshing water won't escape. If you can get some that are big enough you could also use one for mollies and one for corys. You could then set these containers in an ice chest if you have one to help maintain the proper temp.

I would try to keep as much of the water as possible. The bacteria doesn't live in the water but it is the water both your fish and bacteria are used to so reusing it should be less stressful once the tanks are set back up. If you can only keep half of the water from each tank when you fill the tanks with fresh water it will be like doing a 50% water change.

You can remove and wrap your plants if you want to but you could also just leave then planted. I would remove any of the decorations other than the plants and put the deco in the buckets of water along with your sponge filters.

Leave just enough water in the tank to cover the substrate and then tightly seal the top of each tank with saran (plastic wrap). By doing it this way you will be saving the bacteria on your substrate and walls of your tanks and it should also keep your plants wet should you decide to leave them in there. .

Will that be enough air for the mollys in the tuperware?

 

Will that be enough air for the mollys in the tuperware?

It should be. They are in shipping bags much longer than 3 hours while being shipped to the stores. Don't fill the container all the way to the top. The amount of air at the top should help.

If your mollies are really big you may want to put them in one of the buckets of water. I was basing my advice on the size of my mollies and not taking into account that some of them grow pretty big. Sorry about that.

 

Thank you! You answered all my questions. Much appreciated.

 

Thank you! You answered all my questions. Much appreciated.

You are so very welcome. I did add a bit more info to my previous post for clarification.

 

You are so very welcome. I did add a bit more info to my previous post for clarification.