Moving Advice

Steve Giannoni · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

In a few months, we will be renovating our house, and will move
temporarily into an apartment for 2 or 3 months, while the work is
being done. We have a 45 gallon tall tank with about 30 of typical
fresh water tropical favorites, with a flourishing annubius on each
side of the tank. We need any and all good advice on moving our
aquatic charges, all in the realm of practicality and feasibility,
etc. Thanks in advance for good advice, etc.

Archived from group: alt>aquaria>tropical>fish>hobbist

carlrs · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 17

On Aug 28, 1:30 pm, Steve Giannoni wrote:
> In a few months, we will be renovating our house, and will move
> temporarily into an apartment for 2 or 3 months, while the work is
> being done. We have a 45 gallon tall tank with about 30 of typical
> fresh water tropical favorites, with a flourishing annubius on each
> side of the tank. We need any and all good advice on moving our
> aquatic charges, all in the realm of practicality and feasibility,
> etc. Thanks in advance for good advice, etc.

There are many different methods for moving that work well, I will
give you information on moving that worked best for me when I moved
aquariums (small and large) for my aquarium maintenance clients (some
short distance, some as far as 800 miles)

*Purchase some sterile Rubbermaid containers and buckets (I prefer as
large as possible such as 32 gallons for tanks over 40 gallons)

*Drain water from the display tank into one of these containers. Do
not fill more than you can move or will spill.
Then add your fish to this water.

*Add Methylene Blue, this will aid in the oxygen capacity of the
blood, ease stress, ease ammonia/nitrite poisoning and help prevent
disease.
I also added Wonder Shells as these would increase the bio load
capacity of the water and add very important electrolytes. Keep this
container as dark as possible.

*For trips over 4 hours, a battery air pump or AC air pump plugged
into an inverter that runs off the vehicles cigarette lighter.

*Do not over rinse any gravel or bio filter media such as sponges;
place these in an open container/bucket

*Place safe (not heavy) decorations in with fish to provide cover. For
live plants keep separately. Same for rocks and heavy decoration.

*Discard any unused water. For marine tanks I try and save as much
water as possible.

*For small tanks (usually under 40 gallons), I will generally leave
some gravel and other equipment in the tank for quick moving. For
larger tanks I remove everything.

*Once at the destination, I begin to re set up the aquarium.
For marine tanks I immediately start up a container with an air stone,
water (preferably RO) and salt mix so as to have mixed saltwater ready
for use. I will also note that I prefer 24 hours of agitation of newly
mixed saltwater before using, however this time is usually not an
option when moving.

*Once the tank is set up and running, I start SLOWLY mixing water back
and forth between the tank and fish container to prevent osmotic
shock, and adjust temperature.
I will usually add Stress Coat or similar to the container holding the
fish and Prime to the display tank just before addition of the fish
(and other aquatic creatures)

Carl
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Information.html