Moving soon..How to move tanks

I don't think you need to save so much water.

We do massive water changes when the fish are stressed. A massive water change shouldn't be that stressful so long as the temp and chemistry is what they're used to. There isn't a significant amount of bacteria to save in the water column.

In both cases, you'll have to move enough water to move the fish in. If that works out to a quarter of the total volume I'd call it a 75% water change and spare my back.
 
you need to know that moving your tank with substrate and water can cause undue stress on the corners.

Also note that one of their tanks is a 125. That would be rather heavy with just the tank let alone the substarate and probably 10-15 gal of water.

Thats alot of weight and would probably require 4 or more folks to moveit with some water in it.
 
I agree. I would much rather be safe than sorry. I can't remember how much gravel is in there but believe me it is alot. I had to rinse all of it off when we set the tank up in '99. My hands were raw.
 
Very true, I can see a 125 being quite unmanageable. It does add up quickly with regards to weight. I didn't seem to notice any undue stress on me or my partner (or the tank) when I moved my 55. But I'm sure that since sand compacts more than gravel, I should be safe assuming that it would be twice as heavy (especially wet) for the same depth of substrate. I can see your points with this. I would definately err on the side of caution, but I don't think I took any chances with mine. I use minimal gravel and syphoned as much water as possible without overturning the tank and dumping more out.
 
I am reviving this thread...

I am interested in moving my 29 gallon about 15 feet across the room on a hardwood floor. It is on a wrought iron stand.

Do I have to go through all the trouble listed above?

Has anyone moved a 29 gallon this short distance? How many gallons/inches of water can I leave in the tank???

There will be 2 of us moving it...

Thanks,
Steve
 
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I would, Steve. I moved my 55 gallon across the room from where I originally put it when I moved back in November. I ended up completely draining it and getting rid of the gravel this time, too! I would have done exactly as I did the move cross-city, but I happened to be changing to sand substrate, and this seemed a perfect time to move it, too!

Even small tanks can get cracked, so I suggest at a minimal, remove all fish, decor, filters, and equipment. If you wan to remove the substrate, so be it, but I personally wouldn't bother (just me;) ). If you have someone to help you, then things should go pretty smoothly. I suggest NOT doing a cleaning of the tank at the same time. Enough bacteria is traumatized and most on the glass walls dies, so do the cleaning the following week. It shouldn't take more than maybe 2 hours....topps. If you have live plants, things can get interesting! I would probably ask someone who has personally done it. I have a planted tank and will probably move that in the future, so I'd be safe and remove them and re-plant....DOH!:(
 
Thanks for your response...unless someone has a better idea, I will probably take the fish out, leave the substrate, plants and rocks.

Should be able to move the tank pretty easily. I was planning on taking the time to re-scape the tank (moving only the plants), anyway.

Thanks,
Steve
 
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