Moving - Tank Help!

[gbcarter4103]

Hello All,

Despite the depressing news, my parents are getting divorced and Mom and I are moving out. (Don't feel sorry, I don't like my dad, the depressing news is I don't want to move, but if I get away from my dad, then I'm happy!) I have a 30 gallon fish tank, as stated before, with about 20 or so fish (including the recently new born lobsters!):

2 Bala Sharks
2 Kissing Gouramis
1 Gourami
3 Neon Tetras
2 Bleeding Heart Tetras
2 Tiger Barbs
1 Catfish
1 (I hope!) Electric Blue Lobster (recently had lobsters, unknown how many)
1 Algae Eater
2 "Unknown Fish" - They were my first fish, and I forget what they are! :(

How should I get these guys out of the tank, I mean where should I put them, in baggies? In a big tub?! What! My girlfriend has a small 2 gallon tank, which I realize isn't big enough, but possibly I could make a couple trips. I realize this is very stressful on my fish, but I have to live my life too! I am not moving till possibly May 5th so I have a few to think about what I need to do. This will also allow me to clean the rocks and my waterfall and my power wand and bottom filter and such, hopefully this will do more god then bad! Please help me though, I really don't know where to store the fish while I'm in the process of moving! :shake:

HELP!!!!

As Always,
Thank you,
Greg and Bree

[gbcarter4103]

Also, one more thing. I am moving to a second floor apartment. This should be okay for my tank correct, I mean the weight of the tank shouldn't be a problem since it is 30 gallon.

Thank you so much!

Greg and Bree

[JesseJ]

The weight won't be a problem so long as you figure out which way the floor joists are running and have the tank perpendicular to them to spread the weight around.

Get one of those big 30 galleon plastic buckets from a hardware store and clean it with hot water and vinegar. Put the fish in there with the filter and heater and they will be fine for a few days. The only thing I think you really have to worry about is the Balas jumping out of the bucket so put cellophane over most of the top to stop that from happening.

[dethjam316]

it's only a 30g. the weight won't built be a problem unless your new apartment is made of cardboard and scotch tape.

first question: how far is the move? if it's further than 30 minutes, there are some additional precautions you may want to take. if it's a short move, here are some basic guidelines:

the first thing you need to do is get the tank setup in the new place before you do anything. you should keep your filter media and the gravel (if possible, move this in buckets, not in the tank) moist to keep the friendly bacteria that keep your tank clean alive. the filter media is the big one here, the gravel is of secondary importance. this will help you avoid cycling completely again and will help your fish survive the move. ornaments, rocks, etc. can also help transfer the goodness that is bacteria is kept properly moist.

for the fish: i suggest you buy a large cooler. this will help keep the temp. up for your fish. move everything in that except the crayfish, which you can move in a bucket or whatever. the temp shouldn't matter as much for them, as long as you don't leave them outside in the cold or something! those guys shouldn't be with the fish in a small contained place like the cooler, lest they get really fat really fast. in fact, if your crayfish had a lot of babies, you're going to need to invest in another tank or two....but that's a different story.

[dethjam316]

Originally posted by JesseJ
The weight won't be a problem so long as you figure out which way the floor joists are running and have the tank perpendicular to them to spread the weight around.this is a good point to remember for larger tanks, wouldn't worry about it for a 30g...

[gbcarter4103]

Yes, the move is less then 8 minutes away. Thank you all so much! I really aprechiate it!

Thanks
Greg and Bree

[victimizati0n]

The move will be pretty stressful on your fish, yes.

If I were you, I would suggest NOT to clean the rocks and stuff, or you will have to re-cycle your tank.

I would take the water out, but leave a little bit in to keep the good bacteria alive. I would say move them in the little 2 gallon.

Also, I would watch those Tiger Barbs and your gouramis.