How to Move an Aquarium

Moving an aquarium involves removing the fish, décor, equipment and water, transferring the tank to its new location, and reassembling the whole setup. It requires adequate planning and preparation so that the move is done quickly and smoothly, for the benefit of the fishes and yourself. After you've prepared the new site and readied everything you will need for relocating the aquarium setup, just follow these steps for a stress-free move.

Things You'll Need

  • Siphon hose
  • Fishnet
  • Rags, paper towels, old newspaper
  • Buckets and containers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Siphon off a sufficient amount of water from your tank into the fish's holding container. Transfer a few plant stems from the tank to the holding container to help calm the fish in their temporary habitat and discourage or prevent them from jumping out.

    • 2

      Gently catch the fish with the fishnet, and transfer them to the holding container. Cover the container with a loose-fitting cover, preferable somewhat opaque (fish are less alert in the dark, thus reducing stress).

    • 3

      Unplug and remove all external attachments that may fall off or get in the way when you are moving the tank.

    • 4

      Siphon off as much of the water as you can from the tank to the buckets you have prepared for transporting the water to the new location. Leave only enough water in the tank to keep the gravel bed and landscaping undisturbed. If you're moving to a nearby location, you may not need to uproot the plants. If you're moving a relatively large tank, you may have to unload the gravel, too, to distribute the weight.

    • 5

      Call in all the manpower and assistance you need to lift the tank and carefully move it to its new location. Keep it level while in transit, and set it down as gently as possible.

    • 6

      Bring the water containers to the new site, and refill the tank by siphoning the water back in. Add new water as necessary to fill the tank to its ideal water level.

    • 7

      Reinstall the external attachments that were removed, and plug in the heaters, lights, and aerator pumps.

    • 8

      Test the water's integrity (temperature, pH, and chlorine/ammonia content), and adjust if necessary. You may opt to add a normal dose of a stress-reducing product for fish.

    • 9

      When you're confident that the tank conditions are back to normal, gently return the fish to the tank using your fishnet. Dispose of the water in the holding container because, depending on how long the fish stayed there without the benefit of filtration, the water may already be polluted.

    • 10

      Clean up the spills and put away the buckets; then sit back and enjoy your new setup.