Setting up and taking care of a fish tank is a fun and interesting hobby. It’s like having a tiny underwater world with colorful fish and pretty plants. But when it’s time to move the fish and their home to a new place, it can be a bit tricky. Imagine moving all your stuff to a new house – it’s a big deal for the fish too! In this article, we’ll learn how to move a fish tank properly so that the fish stay happy and healthy before, during, and after the move.
BEFORE YOU MOVE: PREPARING THE FISH AND THE TANK
- Change 20% of the water in the tank every day for five days before moving.
- Don’t feed your fish for 24-48 hours before the move. Don’t worry; previously well-fed fish can survive a week or more without food.
- What to do with fish when moving: If your move will last a week or longer contact a pet store that will board your fish. Have a signed contract confirming what responsibilities the store will have while taking care of your fish. Some pet stores will pack and air-ship your fish to your new home.
MOVING DAY: STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FISH DURING THE MOVE
Fish tanks are one of the last things you want to pack and one of the first to unpack. Follow these steps once you’re ready to move the tank:
8 Steps for protecting your fish while moving:
- Try to save 80% of the water from your tank
- Depending on the length of your trip, use either plastic bags or 5-gallon buckets with water from the tank to transport your fish.
- Make sure the bag/bucket has enough air for your fish.
- Take any plants from the tank and place them in bags with water from the tank to keep good bacteria on them alive.
- Remove the remaining water and any decorations from the tank to prevent cracks.
- For a short move, put your filter media (do not clean it) in a sealed container, such as a new pail or other chemical-free, hard-sided container. For long moves, either clean or discard your filter media.
- Pack pumps, heaters, and other accessories like any fragile appliance.
- Transport your tank while it’s empty. Having items in the tank increases the risk of cracking the bottom of it and causing future leaks.
HOW TO SET UP AN AQUARIUM AFTER MOVING?
It is crucial for the survival of your fish that you set up the tank properly so that they can adjust to their new home. These steps will help you install a fish tank after moving so your fish can adapt to their new surroundings.
- Carefully return rocks and decorations to the tank.
- Begin refilling the tank with the water you saved before you moved.
- Set up your filters, heaters, and pumps.
- Return the live plants to the tank.
- For fish in buckets, you can either pour them in or use a net to transfer them back into the tank.
- If you had your fish in bags, let the bags float on the tank water to balance the temperature between the bag and the tank. Once the temperature has normalized, you can pour the fish into the tank.
Your fish will need some time to readjust to their new surroundings. Since traveling is such a big stressor for fish, try to treat their move like you added a new fish to the tank.
Make sure to keep a close eye on the water and conditions inside the tank. After a few days, your fish will calm down, and your aquarium will thrive in your new home, and provide all the beauty and enjoyment you expect.
Please Note: Even with the best precautions, the stress of travel may prove too much for some fish. Some experts even suggest you sell your fish and buy new ones after you arrive. However, if you must move your fish, follow the procedures above to increase success.
Ready to Make Your Move?
J.W. Cole & Sons of Florida Inc. is family-owned and operated in Fort Myers with generations of experience. We have provided quality and affordability to families in Southwest Florida since 1985. We proudly serve Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres, and Estero, Florida. Through our affiliation with Atlas Van Lines, we can professionally handle all of your local needs.
Call J.W. Cole & Sons of Florida at 239-694-3400 today or fill out our form to start your move.
