Best way to move a fish tank during relocation?

Hi all, it's been a while since I've posted but I've kept up with the reading. Since my 55g spring a leak 6 months ago I've een coasting with my 20 gallon and now I am in the process of moving to a new apartment... I've never had to move a fish tank before so can anyone give me some pointers? The apartment is 20 minutes away, my live stock is just clownfish. Thanks for any help!

 

I would start by removing all if the rock from your 20 gallon and put it into a bucket of water or even just put wet paper towels over them to keep the rocks wet.

Once all the rock is out it will be much easier to remove any fish you have in the aquarium. You may have to corner the fish(es). Use a net (not to catch them) to direct the fish into a corner and scoop them up using one of these.

Use a siphon to remove all of your water from the tank (down to the sandbed, but not including). Put this water into buckets and you can use it in the tank once you are at your new place.

You may have to get new sand, as the current sand will likely cause a cycle in your tank (if you are getting a new tank). You can use a cup of it to seed the new sanded.

If you are keeping the 20g but simply moving houses then you should be able to keep your sand bed. Just do not remove it from the tank and do be sure to keep it wet.

 

Sounds like what i did. I went to lowes and got enough rubbermaid tubs for my tank and put everything in there the water first and then rock and coral, then fish and inverts. The only fish i lost was my Royal gramma it was stressed and had to get water in my new tank up to the right temp at my new place.

 

Awesome, thanks for the help. I successfully moved it all last night in some 5 gallon buckets. Not too bad actually and gave me a chance to clean everything really well with vinegar/water. The fish seems ok this morning so hopefully it all went well enough. Temp climbed about 4 degrees overnight is my only concern. Have to get that sorted out.

 

That sounds great. I'm glad it went well for you.

What was the water temperature after it rose by 4 degrees ? I keep mine at 80 normally , but I try not to have it heat up much more than that.

 

Went from 75 to 79. I like to keep it at 80 also but my heater went out (just started a post in the equipment section for suggestions) so it's been a little lower the last week. I put a temporary 10 gallon spare heater in and it seems to hold it alright. Just need to get another longterm heater to keep the fluctuations down.

 

75* is a little cool, but you should be fine until you can get a new heater. I've unplugged my heater because it is so hot out...it now runs around 77-78.