Need Advice For Moving With My Fish

In two days I'll be moving to a new house.

I have three tanks, and of course, I need to move the tanks and fish. Tanks are 50, 20 and 20 gallons.

The move is only 20 minutes away.

What is the "best" way to move?

Should I put the current tank water in jugs and refill the tanks in the new house?

Should I just ignore the water, bag up the fish, and use new water at the new house?

Should I just empty the tanks so there is a few inches of water, leaving the fish in the tanks, and moving the tanks that way?

No matter how I move, I'll keep the filters w/ culture in their tank water, so I have that covered.

What are your suggestions for this short move?

 

Take 6 buckets, 2 for each tank. Put decorations and most plants (if any) in one bucket, filter media, and the fish and a small amount of plants (if any) in the other. Also get an air stone if you don't have one already, but its not really necessary unless the fish are in the buckets for at least 4-6 hours. Leave as little water as possible in the aquarium, so basically empty the aquarium.

 

HI MisterTetra, I'm in the same boat, moving pretty soon. From what i've researched transferring at least 20 percent of the existing water is a good idea to help maintain similar water parameters but not required. you'll want to transfer the fish in covered buckets filled with water. Bags would work too for short moves but I prefer buckets as they will hold more air and keep the fish in the dark which will reduce stress. The gravel and filter should be transferred submersed in water as well (seperate from the fish) to maintain the beneficial bacteria. Once moved, fill up the aquarium leaving space for the water in the buckets. I would slowly transfer water from the aquarium into the fish buckets to acclimate them to any changes in water conditions before putting them in. You can transfer the water from the buckets to the moved aquarium unless you've had any issues lately with parasites or diseases. The beneficial bacteria will be in the filter and gravel but transferring water will cause a little less stress on the fish. If you're aquarium is heated you should also make sure to slowly acclimate them to the difference in temperature. Once setup I would closely monitor water conditions and change the water more frequently for the first few weeks. (Just to explain, I wouldn't transport the aquarium with any weight in it as it will cause stress on the seams from the bumps, the water would most likely spill and any fish in there will be stressed or possibly injured)

 

When I moved, I emptied most of the water out of the tank and put serane wrap over the tank to keep the plants moist. I left the sand in place also. As far as the fish, I out them in a Tupperware bucket and the filter in a 5 gallon with water. I used water from the new house and just reaclimmated the fish once everything was set up.

 

Thank you all very much!

I will be taking your advice!