I am moving, possible steps to doing so...

[ryknier]

ok, So I am moving in 3 weeks, and I am trying to think of the best way of doing so. I have a 72g, with 2 gouramis, 2 danios, 2 sunfish, 2 clown loachs, green severum and a bgk. I have a 20g. My thought, Save the tank for the last thing to move, I would take my current 20g down and set it up at the new place. Then transfer the fish to the 20g, and take down the 72g, and set it back up, and I do not know how long this would take, whats the maximum amount of time they can stay ina 20g, or is this a bad idea? Its kinda the only option I think I have... OPINIONS!!! and experience needed, thanks guys! :bowing:

 

[schigara]

I dont know how far your move is but as long as it is not more that a couple hours away would say to siphon the water out of the 72 in a 55g trash can(about 30 gallons or so), put the fish in it. Take another 55g trash can and put another 30 gallons of water from the tank in it as well as all the subtrate and drop all the filter media in it to keep them wet as well and all plants and decorations.

If your move is longer, get an ac/dc converter and put a heater in with the fish. When you get to the new location, set up the tank. Siphon the water from the subsrate/deco/filter trash can in the can with the fish to get most of the water out of the substrate can. Scoop the substrate out of the trash can and put back in the 72g and all the decorations. Siphon/pump 50-60% of the water from the "fish" trash can into the tank, install your filters and get your filter media in them. Put the fish in the tank and prepare some new water to top off the tank. Add some stress coat as well.

I have never had to move fish yet but this is the way I would do it. I think this would be the least stressful way. They would only have one "layover" and, in a 55g can, you could actually go up to 40 gallons or more(with a secured top) as to not spill and the fish wouldn't feel nearly as cramped as being in a 20g tank.

ok, So I am moving in 3 weeks, and I am trying to think of the best way of doing so. I have a 72g, with 2 gouramis, 2 danios, 2 sunfish, 2 clown loachs, green severum and a bgk. I have a 20g. My thought, Save the tank for the last thing to move, I would take my current 20g down and set it up at the new place. Then transfer the fish to the 20g, and take down the 72g, and set it back up, and I do not know how long this would take, whats the maximum amount of time they can stay ina 20g, or is this a bad idea? Its kinda the only option I think I have... OPINIONS!!! and experience needed, thanks guys! :bowing:

 

[ryknier]

ok luckily enough I am moving across town like a mile down the road!! Lucky for me!

 

[Holly9937]

just another idea...your danios and loaches would be happier with more company assuming you can accomodate clowns in their future size (1ft+)

 

[nort]

when i moved i got to very big tupper wear containers syphoned all the water from the tank into the bukets (adding fish to bukets at the same time) then i sealed the buckets very tightly i moved kept fish in bukets while i set up the tank in the end i only lost one platty but it stressed out my clowns and my plecos the most (tank size was 50)

 

[gsk177]

I can answer your question fully because I just recently, 2 months ago, made an across town move with a 55g and a 20g tank. Plus I helped a friend just a few weeks ago move another 55g and a 20g to my new house.

I moved from well water to city water with a water softener so I had a few more things to worry about.

If your new place has vastly different water supplies than you have now, or if you don't know....do what I did...I lost ZERO fish. Make the fish move the absolute LAST step to your moving and make sure you have a place at the new home to put the tanks.

I think this goes without saying, but you are gonna need some serious help.

Buy yourself 3 of the 30g storage containers from Walmart or a home center with lids. Drain all the water out of your tanks and put the fish in the containers as well. Try not to fill the container more than 2 inches from the top. Keep one container free of fish and use it to transport your filter media, gravel and decorations. Use duct tape to securely fasten the lids to the containers. They will flex when you move them and if you dont tape them, they wont stay on and you risk getting very wet shoes.

Once you get the tanks setup and the filters hung, start putting the water back into the tanks. I placed a table next to the tanks and put the containers on the table and used a gravel siphon to siphon water back into the tanks. Once you get a couple inches of water in the tank, add the gravel and the decorations. Add a few more inches of water and then the fish. Get the rest of the water in the tanks and power them up. Dont forget to recheck your heater settings as they may have been changed during transport.

Depending on how dirty your gravel was before the move, you may have LOTS of clouding in the water. This should be harmless to the fish, but you may want to add some carbon packs or filter floss or polyester batting to a filter to help clear the water up faster. I didn't add anything to my filters and it was perfectly clear in about 2 hours or so.

Again, and I can't reiterate this enough....check your new tap water on all levels. You may be surprised how a small trip across town can vastly alter your tap water.