Before your move, you need to be well organized and create a good plan on how you want everything done. This includes labeling the items you want to move by categories. The categories can go from the room, to item type. One of these item type categories is fragile items. When thinking about what fragile object do you have in your house, the first thing that is going to come up your mind is the aquarium. It is already hard to move it from one part of the room to another, let alone relocate an aquarium to a whole different house, or city. Moving an aquarium can cause a lot of stress to your mind. This is because you are probably thinking about how to move it properly.
Even a small fish tank is hard to move.
And all of this is connected to the impact your fish will feel, and possible damage done to the aquarium itself or the floor of your house. When you make a good plan and have enough understanding of how this should go down, it will make the job easier. For you, and for your fish.
Thinking it over
The first thing you should do is think about the whole “relocating an aquarium” process. There are some principles that you should keep in mind when doing so. One of these principles is that the fish will not like the idea of moving. You should put them in another container, and make sure that it resembles the main aquarium. You can do this by using the same water as you did in the main tank. Putting in some plants and rocks the fish would find familiar will also help. Another thing that you should keep in mind is that the longer the move is going to take, the more impact it will have on your fish. If you are well organized and have a good plan, the fish will not be affected a lot, and will be able to regain balance in a short amount of time after the relocation.
Think about getting some assistance
Fish tanks are very fragile and moving one can cause a lot of risks. The glass walls may get damaged when you try to relocate an aquarium. That is not the only thing that can get damaged, as the sealant that keeps the glass together may also get weaker due to excessive motion. Make sure you have proper assistance while moving an aquarium. There are moving companies that are ready and willing to do this correctly. Contact dorothyandmarthamoving.com for more information!
Be careful when moving an aquarium!
Moving a fish tank will certainly cause some mess. This is due to the fact that you have to siphon all the water out first. Even if you are extra careful with this, there will probably be some spills. This is why you need to have rags close by in order to mop the water up. Maybe the fish will wiggle and spill some water on the floor. This is why you need proper cleaning supplies.
Preparing to relocate an aquarium
So, what are the necessary steps to make in order to relocate an aquarium? You need to remove the fish, drain the water and remove the landscape, and then move the tank to the moving truck. However, this sounds way easier that it actually is. Here are some of the steps you need to take in order to prepare for moving an aquarium:
- Grab a net and remove your fish from the tank. Make sure you have a container that will properly accommodate your fish during the move. You also need to make sure to use a container that does not contain any toxins so the fish stay healthy. Containers which are plastic are more likely to have toxins, so try to avoid them. After moving the fish to another container, cover it with something so the fish do not jump out. It is best to use some non-transparent material because the fish are less active when it is dark. This will, in turn, make the move easier and less stressful for them.
- Siphon out the water using a hose and make sure you have enough rags and paper in order to avoid spilling.
- The fish net needs to be prepared prior to use. It needs to be soaked up to 10 minutes in water. This will soften the net so you do not hurt the fish. Take this into consideration!
An aquarium can really affect the feel of a room.
Moving on with the relocation
When you have done these steps, you are ready to do the actual relocation. After removing the fish and siphoning the water, you should consider if you want to move the plants and landscape as well. If it is a large container with a lot of gravel, this seems like a good idea, because it will reduce the weight of the aquarium. You should also remove all the external attachments to your aquaria such as the oxygen pump and the lights. You can also install the pump on the new container if you are moving long distance. Take your fish tank and find a box it will fit in. Secure the edges with styrofoam and plastic wrap, or even old rags. This is very important because it will negate the effects of tumbling inside a moving truck.
Labeling
You should also mark the box as fragile, so the movers know how to pack it in the truck. It is even better to let the moving company do the packing for you, and check if they have the necessary expertise in moving aquariums. You can try to get precise moving estimate online and mention the fish tank so you know the approximate price of your move. After reaching your new house, do not pour the water rapidly. This will disrupt the gravel bed. Do it slowly and then reattach the oxygen pump, lights, and heaters. After doing this, check the chemical balance of elements in the water before putting the fish back in.
This should cover everything you need to know if you want to relocate an aquarium. Good luck, and may you and your fish live a long and happy life in your new home!
Leave a Comment