Best way to move a tank??

Sandles

Sandles

Registered Member
May 7, 2005
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I have to move in the next month and we need to know the best way to move our 10g tank. We have 4 red cap oranda in it now.

I'm only moving 5kms down the road, but it still needs to be moved. I have a huge staircase to go down so what's the best way without draining all the water.

Thanks
Sandles
 
You probably don’t want to move it with water or gravel in it. Even if you can lift it, it going to put stress on the seals/glass. Id move the fish into a 5G bucket for the move. Then another bucket for the gravel and your filter media. Once you get re-set up keep an eye on your water parameters to make sure everything stays stable.
 
empty

The best way to move a tank is EMPTY

BTW, you need more tanks or less fish, 4 goldfish is too much for 10 gallons. Of course, if you move the tank with fish in it, that may take care of itself.
 
Just to emphasize the other comments... the red cap orandas can and will get huge. If you keep them in a 10 at some point 3 of them if not all will die off and the last remaining one will have "stunted growth" resulting in deformed organs and diminished life span. If they are the ones in the "avatar" under your name then they are "baby" ones at this time. For several years I had a jet black colored oranda that was about 12 inches long. Your "babies" will all do that given the proper space to grow. At the current size from the picture they should begin a growth spurt soon so that they will be about 3 inches long (body) each in less then 4-6 months. At this size no more then 1 should ever be in a 10 gallon tank for any length of time. 1 IMO with some other itty bitty compatible stuff might be ok in a 20-29 gallon. Two to three in something in the 35-45 gallon range. I would put 4 of them for long term purposes into nothing smaller then a 75 gallon bow front tank... probably Black with a strong light and some grassy plants with a CO2 injection to ensure rapid growth and a good depth on the substrate....


Obviously this is not the question though... moving fish as said in a bucket will be good. Gravel/decor in a separate bucket. ensure everything has a good level of water on them to keep wet for the gravel and some ease of movement on the fish. Fish should be kept as dark as possible when being moved to ease stress. Do not fill a bucket all the way to the top with water and then seal a tight lid on it. I'd suggest no more then 1/2 full of water. Another option is to talk to your LFS about bags/boxes to move them in. The fish tank... once it is empty remove anything like rocks/decor from inside so nothing bounces and breaks the glass. If possible set it inside a cardboard box for protection so nothing hits it or secure it somewhere in your vehicle so it doesnt slide around or tip over etc. When at the new location put the gravel in the bottom and then slowly add water. Ensure all filter media and gravel stay moist during the trip and are quickly setup again. If you exceed about 20-30 minutes with no water movement on filter media or good oxygenated water near the gravel etc there is increased chance of toxic bacterial growth and/or other rotting developing. Your water will likely cloud for the first day or two after filling the tank up again. Transporting wet media for the filter and wet gravel will ensure good chance of your tank staying cycled. The clouding is just evidence of the cycle bacteria trying to "re establish" itself as well as dealing with the extra "gunk" stirred up from the gravel. Resist the urge to do water changes right away on the tank to clear the cloudiness and just try to let things settle. Only do water changes in the first few days if the fish look stressed, show finrot, or are gasping at the surface or the water is so cloudy you cannot see to the back of the tank.
 
I too am moving my 10gallon tank soon. However, I am just moving it from my desk to a new stand that I am building. They will be right next(less than 1 foot) from each other. Do I still need to take everything out??? I have plants and I dont want to uproot them. I was just going to siphon out all the water, put my fish in a bucket, and leave the 20 or so pounds of gravel and rocks in the tank for the VERY short move.

Would this be ok?
thx
 
Realistically I would do what you wrote Bobafish. Sure there is a chance something can happen but I think I would be willing to roll the dice on that one. Just get as much out of the tank as possible and lift it over.
 
here to there

If you remove the water, leave the plants and gravel you'll probably be Ok for a 1 foot move. A 10 gallon tank is not as bad as a larger tank with the twisting that can happen, but, OTOH, a thin cheap tank is always risky to move loaded.

Do consider adding padding to the stand you built. Wood has a way of warping as it dries or gets wet and small imperfections can damage glass that is under strain. Again, a 10 gallon is not the same problem that a larger tank would be, but better to add the padding than to have a problem later. 1/4" styrofoam, or a bit of rubber padding from a fabric store will help.
 
I definately am going to get some quarter or half inch foam to put on the bottom, I just need to get the frame finished now, It is soooo difficult to get straight!
 
Sandles said:
I have to move in the next month and we need to know the best way to move our 10g tank. We have 4 red cap oranda in it now.

I'm only moving 5kms down the road, but it still needs to be moved. I have a huge staircase to go down so what's the best way without draining all the water.

Thanks
Sandles
Click to expand...


u can drain half of the water...
 
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