Moving a tank.

[webjunkie]

Okay, I figure that this is a big enough issue that it deserves its own thread. I know that there is an article dealing with this subject, but it refers to moving tanks long distances, not the short across town hop that I am going to take. Here is what I have planned so far. I'm going to drain most of the water from the tank into two five gallon buckets. The fish will go into one bucket while the rocks and their attached Java Fern will into the other. Both buckets will have lids so no spillage will occur. The filter media will go in plastic bags with a little water. The only thing left in the tank will be the gravel and some of the plants that I really don't want to take out. Is this okay. There isn't more than 15 pounds of gravel (its a ten gallon tank) in there, and its just going to be carried to the car, and then to an elevator and then a dorm room. I also have friends to help me carry the tank and buckets. To keep moisture from escaping the tank I'm going to cover it with saran wrap or something. Will this plan work. Or should I really take the gravel and plants out. Advice please, the move is less than two weeks away!

 

[CoNMaN]

I think you are fine. If it is really cross town, i dont think you need saran wrap for moister escape, maybe to keep the splashing in the tank. Sounds like a plan to me!

 

[cadams]

That sounds good. Couldn't hurt to go buy a cheap pump and air stone to throw that in the bucket when you are able to like right up to the minute before you take the bucket out to the car and right after you get the bucket into the room until you get the fish back in the tank.

 

[webjunkie]

Thanks guys. The trip is only thirty minutes tops, and I have an air stone and a pump, so I'll use them before I leave and while I'm setting the tank back up.

 

[cannonj22]

I have to move a tank myself later this month to go back to school. Any reccomendations from people who have done this before? It's a 29 gallon acrylic, I have 4 discus, 2 rams and about 40 neons/rasboras. The move is about 2 hours away.

 

[webjunkie]

Man you've got it much rougher than me. All I have is... well its in my signature. But, its only that and I have only a half hour drive, max. I'm also doing the tank move after I'm moved everything else to the dorm and during the evening so they don't overheat.

 

[ducksarefun]

sorry I didn't get back to answer your question. I had read your other post on my lunch break, and this is the first time I've been back to "net". You've got your answer, though. I wouldn't worry about a filter/airpump for such a small trip. You could always throw in a bag buddy though.

 

[FroggyFox]

Have you tested your tap water at the new place? If its drastically different you might want to make sure to take some extra water to mix with the new water for your next couple of water changes....or if you're moving from your parents house just hang on to those buckets and go get some of their tap water before your next water change

Otherwise plan sounds great.

 

[webjunkie]

Actually, since the water at my parents house is really hard (well water), I bum water from friends in town. So the water I will be using at the dorm is the same water I've been using at home, in some weird twist of fate.