[DrewWoodside]

Okay it's not a big move by any means, but I've never moved a fish tank before. Moving from one apartment to another 3 blocks from current location. It's 10 gallons heavily planted with eco complete, rocks, fish etc..

My current plan is to:

1.) Remove plants rocks.
2.) Keep about 6 gallons or so of tank water in buckets to be transferred to new location.
3.) Put fauna into a 10 Quart bucket with heater.
4.) Put gravel in bucket.
5.) Take stand and tank to new apartment and begin filling it with gravel, then water, rocks and plants.
6.) Walk fish over in their bucket(cover top with plastic wrap) and once tank appears somewhat settled reintroduce fish.
7.) Looking at my plan all laid out in numbered bullets, I'm thinking I may need a second heater to pull this off... Or would it be better to go with 1 heater and bag the fish then float them until temps are even?
I've never done this before, so if there are any glaring mistakes I'm making. Please let me know! Thanks for any info, hoping to have a real smooth move this Saturday! :icon_smil:smile:

 

[DogFish]

Clean the gravel with a python a few days prior to the move. Run the tank a day, then clean the filter foam.

Let the fish adjust. In the mean time declor the water you change. I would worry about two heater this time of year. I would just reassemble the tank in the new location and get the fish back in it.

But, I would save that bucket of transport water for 1 days just to have a back-up place if you need to pull the fish.

 

[DrewWoodside]

Clean the gravel with a python a few days prior to the move. Run the tank a day, then clean the filter foam.

Let the fish adjust. In the mean time declor the water you change. I would worry about two heater this time of year. I would just reassemble the tank in the new location and get the fish back in it.

But, I would save that bucket of transport water for 1 days just to have a back-up place if you need to pull the fish.

I was going to send the link of this thread to you, glad you found it anyway. Do you think it makes a difference if I bag or bucket the fish whilst they are between tanks? Also, do you think 6 gallons of the original water will be enough, or do I need another bucket?

This is probably the easiest case scenario of moving a fish tank, but I'll be a bit nervous till all inhabitants are in their new home and happy.

 

[R_Barber001]

I find that the water settles faster when I first place the substrate then plant the plants and rocks (unless they're stem plants I can just drop in the back with plant anchors) I use a clear hose like the gravel vac one to siphon the water into the tank along the side glass. As for the Fish, like you said he should be acclimated to the new tank water before letting him in. In south florida temps not really a big problem lol! remember the fish might need o2 while in the bucket for extended periods of time.

 

[DrewWoodside]

I find that the water settles faster when I first place the substrate then plant the plants and rocks (unless they're stem plants I can just drop in the back with plant anchors) I use a clear hose like the gravel vac one to siphon the water into the tank along the side glass. As for the Fish, like you said he should be acclimated to the new tank water before letting him in. In south florida temps not really a big problem lol! remember the fish might need o2 while in the bucket for extended periods of time.

They should hopefully only be in the bucket for about 1 to 2 hours. I'm hoping closer to 1. So the purpose of siphoning the water back in over the gravel on the sides is to reduce cloudiness and kicking up stuff? I think I'll do that for sure.

 

[kamikazi]

for just a 10 gallon moving a short distance I would drain about 75-80 of the water to a couple buckets, remove the big rocks, and then just go with it.

When moved let things settle, replant anything that came loose then refill with the saved water.

I moved a 40 gallon with about 2-3 inches of water plus gravel and fish all remaining in the tank. The move was about a 40 min drive. Fish were fine, tank was fine, there were no plants though as the previous owner didn't keep live plants..

 

[DrewWoodside]

for just a 10 gallon moving a short distance I would drain about 75-80 of the water to a couple buckets, remove the big rocks, and then just go with it.

When moved let things settle, replant anything that came loose then refill with the saved water.

You don't think I would need to remove the substrate? It's got 20 Lbs of Eco Complete in there... I'm not opposed to carrying the extra weight if it's safe for the tank and all..

 

[DrewWoodside]

You don't think I would need to remove the substrate? It's got 20 Lbs of Eco Complete in there... I'm not opposed to carrying the extra weight if it's safe for the tank and all..

I guess my problem is I have no respect for Dollar per gallon rimmed Petland tanks.. I'm guessing walking up and down stairs even with the 20 lbs of eco complete won't necessarily cause it to break.

I'll be removing the fauns though, just b/c I don't want to deal with any potential worse case scenarios..

 

[kamikazi]

I used a piece of 3/4 plywood under the tank so that it wouldn't get unevenly carried.
You could get a piece to put under your tank.

 

[DrewWoodside]

I used a piece of 3/4 plywood under the tank so that it wouldn't get unevenly carried.
You could get a piece to put under your tank.

Ahh, so without a support piece of wood do you think the 10 G can handle the substrate? Supposing I'm not rocking it around too much? Too simplify this further, I'm going to hail a cab on my corner instead of just walking it. Hopefully these fishies don't even realize they've got a new address!

 

[kamikazi]

if the tank can handle the substrate sitting on the stand it should be able to handle the weight being carried. I would be more concerned with things shifting all the one side thus causing it to roll out of your hands.

Since its walking distance and 10 gallon tanks aren't that heavy even with substrate, I would just get a friend to help me carry it (mostly drained of course). even if you don't use a board as long as each person holds a bottom corner it will be fine

 

[DogFish]

A few bucket will move the whole thing and will be a lot easier. People move tanks full of fish to take to swap meets by breaking it all down into buckets and putting it all back at the swap meet only to repete the process to come home 6 hrs later.

Granted there is no gravel involved. That's why it's good to get the gravel clean as you can prior.

 

[R_Barber001]

Let me know when the move is complete! Post pictures and a tank profile for a personal invite to (x_Gal10n_x) our 10 gallon club.

 

[DrewWoodside]

A few bucket will move the whole thing and will be a lot easier. People move tanks full of fish to take to swap meets by breaking it all down into buckets and putting it all back at the swap meet only to repete the process to come home 6 hrs later.

Granted there is no gravel involved. That's why it's good to get the gravel clean as you can prior.

So IYO the gravel should be removed(and cleaned) from the tank and transported via bucket to be re introduced at new location?

 

[DrewWoodside]

Let me know when the move is complete! Post pictures and a tank profile for a personal invite to (x_Gal10n_x) our 10 gallon club.

I have a tank journal up, but it's pretty dated. Will update and link it once everything is complete!

 

[R_Barber001]

Alright good show!