Moving Multiple Tanks

[akangelfood]

I tried to run a search on this subject, but the search function isn't working.

I'm looking for advice. I'm finally done with the renting game, and am purchasing my first home. I'll be closing mid Sept and moving in shortly thereafter.

I have numerous tanks to move, including two 55 gallon tanks. I'm looking for advice and shared stories from others who have undergone this process.

We'll be moving ourselves into the home one weekend, and the tanks will be our project for the following weekend. I've allotted an entire weekend to moving the tanks, so I'm obviously not trying to rush it. I'd like to do it right

A lot of my concern is that I know that 100% water changes are generally frowned upon, however I don't want to haul 150 gallons of water from one house to another. What would you guys recommend?

[emc7]

Don't move water. Just acclimate your fish. Its easier if you have some overlap,so you don't have to break down all the tanks at once. The easiest move I had, I went back and forth with tanks in both places.

[Obsidian]

Keep gravel and filter media wet in a little bucket or baggie or whatever. Each tanks stuff all together in its own container (i.e. don't mix them all up).

Move the fish in bags from the local fish store (they will usually give you a bunch of these, they are cheap). Pack the bags into a container where they will basically hold each other steady. Lots of folks use a cooler for this because it helps with maintaining water temperature. Others will simply toss a bunch of fish into 5 gallon buckets and bring them over that way, which is fine for short moves as well. Add some amquel+ or prime to the water to help with stress and fishy waste.

Fill tanks with new water and add whatever water came with the fish. Set up all the gravel and filters, your bacteria will carry over just fine as long as it is wet.

The move will not be a problem Do not keep water or gravel in the 55's as they will be more susceptible to the weight of this causing seal problems. For smaller tanks (20 or less) you can probably just keep the gravel and filter media in the tank with just enough water to keep it moist (i.e. not even enough that you can see it). Personally I would put at least the media into a ziplock.

Congratulations on the house!!!!!!

[mrmoby]

Another tip, though not directly related to the move. Do yourself a favor, go to Sears, and purchase yourself a submersible pump. You can hook a hose to it, and pump the water out the window, or down the tub, etc. It will drain the tank in less than 1 minute. I have used it for moving tanks, but it has also served me well when I had to drain the tanks in a few emergency situations (unexpected brace failure).

[akangelfood]

Thanks for the advice. I was planning on begging some bags from my LFS, packing the fish as if they were being shipped, and placing the bags in a cooler. I'll definitely be removing all substrate from all tanks prior to moving.

I was considering changing the substrate in my severum tank. I had thought that doing so while the tank was tore down would be easiest, but will that cause issues? I have two Emperor filters on that tank (a 280 and a 400) for a total of 3 filter pads that would retain bacteria. I'm thinking this might be sufficient, as at this time the tank only contains a total of 8 fish, all 3 inches or less each. With such a light bioload, that amount of bacteria should be sufficient I hope.

The other 55 has me a little more concerned because it is heavily populated and the only filter I run on it is a Fluval canister. I'll take your advice and make sure all of the substrate remains wet, which shouldn't be a problem due to its make up. Drying it out would be difficult.

[akangelfood]

Thanks mrmoby, but I do use the Python system. I just got it a few weeks ago and I love it!

[lohachata]

150 gallons....hmmm.not many tanks.. i moved 40 tanks in 2 days.the only water i took was what i transported the fish in.what i did do was set up a couple of small tubs with a heater and airstones in the new place.put the fish in bags;drained and cleaned the tanks.gathered up all of the equipment and moved it.set up that tanks at the new house and filled them.a little chlor-gone and put the fish in..all done.a lot of times when i decide that i want to scrub out a tank i do the same.especially when i do one of the 125's...

[justintrask]

I have the same issue, but it's not moving the tank I'm worried about, but it's the actual moving of the fish.

My 8" Jardini Arowana is the only one I'm worried about. It's about an hour long drive to where I'm moving. Any suggestions with such a delicate fish?

[emc7]

Definitely use Prime or Amquel+ in the water. In bags, oxygen is better than air, if you have access to it . It seems the bigger the fish, the harder it is to move it safely. I've tried bags (they get shredded), and buckets (fish hits it head when you stop). At ACA , I saw a lot of Rubbermaid tubs with battery powered air pumps taped to the outside go by on dollies. Definitely worth a try.

[justintrask]

Alright. I have an air pump and a huge rubbermaid tub, maybe i'll just grab a piece of plastic as a lid to the aro doesnt jump out. thanks!

[akangelfood]

Originally Posted by lohachata

150 gallons....hmmm.not many tanks.. i moved 40 tanks in 2 days.the only water i took was what i transported the fish in.what i did do was set up a couple of small tubs with a heater and airstones in the new place.put the fish in bags;drained and cleaned the tanks.gathered up all of the equipment and moved it.set up that tanks at the new house and filled them.a little chlor-gone and put the fish in..all done.a lot of times when i decide that i want to scrub out a tank i do the same.especially when i do one of the 125's...

Yeah, not a lot in the eyes of some people, but still a pretty decent undertaking. I have 3 that don't contain fish at this time (I was waiting until I knew if we were moving, thank goodness), so those won't be an issue. But I have two 55 gallon, a 29 gallon, and a 10 gallon, all full of life. It's really not that much to move, but I want to make sure that there aren't any casualties

I'll definitely treat the water before I add the fish. I do like the idea of using tubs, but I don't think that'll be necessary if I pack the fish as if I were shipping them. Went to the LFS today and picked up some bags.

[lohachata]

justin...here is something a friend of mine did...he bought one of those hard plastic picnic coolers with a flip type lid a handle..about 20 quarts i think.
drilled a hole in the lid and ran a length of airline through it.filled in the gap on the hole with silicone sealer.got plastic strapping and screwed the pump to the lid.