The Best Way To Move Your Aquarium and Aquatic Pets
You might be asking if there is a safe and effective way to move your aquarium and aquatic pets when a move is on the horizon. It’s time to move, and you have some “finny” friends you’d like to take with you. Your moving company is up to the task, but you’ll be doing some of this yourself.
How To Move Your Aquarium and Aquatic Pets
No matter what, no moving company will take living creatures on anything more than a 24-hour move. Many times, they absolve themselves of that, too. The bottom line is that it’s really not safe for your aquatic pets.
When my children were little, we had a mid-sized 20-gallon fish tank filled with lots of colorful aquatic pets. They loved it and were always mesmerized, staring at them for hours at a time.
I gave the tank away when we moved rather than deal with moving it, but that doesn’t have to be the case for you. There are lots of smart ways to move your finny little friends.
Moving Fish
Depending on your particular species and the details of your move, you may be able to take your fish to their new home in something as simple as cups with plastic wrap rubber banded over the top and a few holes poked for air.
You can also use a 5-gallon bucket as a temporary home. Before you house your aquatic pets in it, rinse it with aquarium water to remove any residue.
Yet another possibility is a large storage tote with a top that latches. All of these work well as temporary aquariums for all but the most sensitive fish species.
If you own seahorses and pipefish, be sure to keep them in large cups or mugs, which will allow them the vertical movement they seek.
This is much more comforting for them than bags that can easily flex or very large storage totes that may be unwieldy to carry. Try to keep your species as close together as possible.
If you are transporting plastic storage totes, keep lids closed to prevent unwanted mixing between aggressive species and more docile ones.
Moving Snails
It’s best to house aquatic snails in plastic baggies filled halfway with water. Make sure the baggies contain a small amount of Java moss or an equivalent.
Be certain that these little guys have access to water and air and they should be perfectly happy on their way to their new home.
Keep the bags out of the sunlight, and never leave them in your vehicle. Also, try to avoid putting them in the direct path of your heater or air conditioner in the vehicle. This can easily overheat or chill them very quickly.
Moving Other Invertebrates
You can house shrimp, crabs, and other bottom cleaners in cups, baggies, or sieves.
Plastic containers often allow these little animals a chance to escape. They’re just too good at popping the lids and scrambling out if the water level gets near the top.
Your Biomedia
Your biomedia, also known as your substrate and filter tab, are two of the most important aspects of your tank. Many fish keepers lose their cycle when they move, but it’s possible to keep it healthy!
Using a 5-gallon bucket, pour a significant portion of your aquarium water into the tank. Then, scoop several scoops of your substrate into the bucket’s bottom.
This allows you to keep your biomedia wet and retain your beneficial bacteria throughout the move. You can also toss your filter media in the bucket as well, keeping it safe and damp.
Keeping Your Tanks Safe
Let’s face it: Moving a big, glass box is nerve-wracking, no matter how great your movers are. The ideal mover will ask you to empty the aquarium and dry it before their arrival.
They will fill the tank with padded blankets and then use another to wrap around the sides. After this, they will build a cardboard box around the entire thing and tape it tightly together.
For large aquariums and fish tanks, wooden crates may be used to reinforce the sides even further.
Aquariums are often among the last things loaded so that they can be placed up and away from items that may crush them. Prepare your fish for 48 hours out of their environment, even on day-long moves.
It’s also a good idea to stop feeding them two days before the move. You’ll want the water to stay clean. There’s no reason to worry as most well-fed fish can go without eating for about a week.
Don’t forget to read How To Turn Adversity Into Your Greatest Ally too!
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