Fish tanks are one of the last things you want to pack and one of the first to unpack. Follow these steps once you’re ready to move the tank:
8 Steps for protecting your fish while moving:
- Try to save 80% of the water from your tank
- Depending on the length of your trip, use either plastic bags or 5-gallon buckets with water from the tank to transport your fish.
- Make sure the bag/bucket has enough air for your fish.
- Take any plants from the tank and place them in bags with water from the tank to keep good bacteria on them alive.
- Remove remaining water and any decorations from the tank to prevent cracks.
- For a short move, put your filter media (do not clean it) in a sealed container, such as a new pail or other chemical-free, hard-sided container. For long moves, either clean or discard your filter media.
- Pack pumps, heaters, and other accessories like any fragile appliance.
- Transport your tank while it’s empty. Having items in the tank increases the risk of cracking the bottom of it and causing future leaks.