How to Move an Aquarium

Moving an aquarium involves removing the fish, décor, equipment and water, transferring the tank to its new location, and reassembling the whole setup. It requires adequate planning and preparation so that the move is done quickly and smoothly, for the benefit of the fishes and yourself. After you've prepared the new site and readied everything you will need for relocating the aquarium setup, just follow these steps for a stress-free move.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Siphon hose
• Fishnet
• Rags, paper towels, old newspaper
• Buckets and containers

1. 
   Containers for moving an aquarium.

   Siphon off a sufficient amount of water from your tank into the fish's holding container. Transfer a few plant stems from the tank to the holding container to help calm the fish in their temporary habitat and discourage or prevent them from jumping out.

2. 
   Catch the fish with a fishnet.

   Gently catch the fish with the fishnet, and transfer them to the holding container. Cover the container with a loose-fitting cover, preferable somewhat opaque (fish are less alert in the dark, thus reducing stress).

3. Unplug and remove all external attachments that may fall off or get in the way when you are moving the tank.

4. 
   Siphon water into buckets.

   Siphon off as much of the water as you can from the tank to the buckets you have prepared for transporting the water to the new location. Leave only enough water in the tank to keep the gravel bed and landscaping undisturbed. If you're moving to a nearby location, you may not need to uproot the plants. If you're moving a relatively large tank, you may have to unload the gravel, too, to distribute the weight.

5. Call in all the manpower and assistance you need to lift the tank and carefully move it to its new location. Keep it level while in transit, and set it down as gently as possible.

6. Bring the water containers to the new site, and refill the tank by siphoning the water back in. Add new water as necessary to fill the tank to its ideal water level.

7. Reinstall the external attachments that were removed, and plug in the heaters, lights, and aerator pumps.

8. Test the water's integrity (temperature, pH, and chlorine/ammonia content), and adjust if necessary. You may opt to add a normal dose of a stress-reducing product for fish.

9. When you're confident that the tank conditions are back to normal, gently return the fish to the tank using your fishnet. Dispose of the water in the holding container because, depending on how long the fish stayed there without the benefit of filtration, the water may already be polluted.

10. Clean up the spills and put away the buckets; then sit back and enjoy your new setup.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are moving a large tank that would normally take quite a bit of time to relocate, provide aeration to the holding container to ensure that the fish have enough oxygen while their new home is being set up.
• Read the eHow article on "How to Prepare for Moving an Aquarium" for guidance on prepping for the relocation.
• For long-distance moves, you may need to contact professional movers to handle the relocation. Do your homework and hire the most reliable one you can find. If you must handle all aspects of the relocation by yourself, remember to provide your fish with the proper long-term traveling environment that they will need. Be especially mindful of extremes in temperature and water leakage issues, and review all necessary safety precautions.
• Moving an aquarium poses major risks not only to the integrity of the sealant that keeps the glass panels together, but to the glass walls themselves which, may shatter if damaged. Be sure you have sufficient help to lift and move your tank safely.
• If you choose to use a rolling table to move the aquarium tank across the house, be sure the floor surface is smooth and level to prevent any undue wobbling, vibrations or agitations to the tank.
• When refilling the relocated tank, avoid pouring the water directly from the buckets because this will upturn the gravel bed and destroy the landscaping.

Resources

• Fish Tank Guy
• New Aquarium Information
• RightPet: Fish

[TobyLee]

on 3/23/2009 Excellent advice and spot on tips. When I had three 55 gallon tanks they had to be moved and this is exactly what I did. Preparation is key! I gave you 5 stars.

[RubyBayan]

on 3/23/2009 Thanks for the kind words, Carson. It does need a lot of planning, preparation, muscle, and work efficiency to move a fish tank. It's what's best for the fishes. Thanks for the stars. :)

[sixstring2slim]

on 3/23/2009 HI Ruby, I am a "long time member" of the Indianapolis Aquarium Society. You're article is spot on... somebody rated you a 2 and that is ridiculus, This article has more accurate information, than you get from almost anybody, anywhere... so 5*starzz, I would let you move my fish and I never would do that witha rookie, too risky great job. ~ Carson

[RubyBayan]

on 12/23/2007 Filling the aquarium with a garden hose through the window -- now that's an idea! But ye, I'm sure it "upturned" more than just the aquarium's gravel bed and landscaping. That's a funny experience, George!

[gpcs]

on 12/23/2007 When I moved into my current situation a few years ago, I hit on the great idea of filling my aquarium by sticking the garden hose through the window. Unfortunately, the hose had a mind of its own and sprayed all over the place. Thank goodness my landlady wasn't home at the time!
-George