Moving in a month. Whats the best way?

[SOBERKITTY]

wow hfjacinto,

Lots of detail, planning, and a little bit of subterfuge. Were you a spy in a previous life? J/K! That was awesome. What would I have done if I hadn't "stumbled" onto this site. I'd of been moving fish and stressed out! Now i'll be cool as a cucumber! Hope a passing Pl*ce doesn't come by and munch on me! Yikes! Seriously. Some of you guys should go into the moving tanks for living business. Great advice from everybody. I'm more excited then nervous now! My watery kids are going to have a great stress free move thanks to all of you!

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[Plecofanatic1989]

Just a little tip. I noticed that you were planning on taking only 3 gallons of tank water plus whatever water is in the bin with the fish. I would advise taking as much aged water (maybe more like 10 gallons?) as possible as 3 gallons is in reality nothing when compared to the 29 gallon tank (a little more than 1/10 volume). We all know what a pain "New Tank Syndrome" is... .
Good luck with the move!
Josh

[SOBERKITTY]

Okay so 10 gallons. Right. I know I'm getting excited but I will be glad when this is over. This is going to be some trip.

[darkwolf29a]

I just got through moving downstairs in my building. Honestly, it's not terribly hard.

Here was what I did:

For the big tanks: (75, 55, and 40):

1) Did a normal cleaning and gravel vacuuming. That should remove most of the standard junk.
2) I put about 3 gallons of fish water, from the tank, in a bucket. Put the fish in.
3) Filled up 3 more buckets, I used 5 gallon buckets. This is for use once you reach the other side.
4) Removed the heater, after leaving it for an hour unplugged, and the filter media. Placed them in a 5 gallon rubbermaid container, with about 3 gallons of water. (Just enough to allow for full coverage of the heater)
5) Removed the gravel, placing them in 5 gallon rubbermaid containers, covering it all with water.
6) Plants, decorations, etc. in yet anther one with water to cover it all.

I used the 5 gallon container, available from Wal-Mart or any place else, for about $2 or so each. Since I've moved, I've found that these containers help for temporary fish housing, tank cleanings, etc. Lots of uses...I'm glad I bought them, and wish I had them months ago.

For smaller tanks: (29 and under):

I put the fish in a 5 gallon container, not a bucket. I filled up 1 bucket of water, if I needed it after removing the gravel, filter media, and heater. If I were going to move further, I'd definitely be bagging the smaller fish, since moving buckets and containers around in the truck, or car, can tend to be a bit messy.

[SOBERKITTY]

Thanks Darkwolf,

I can't wait to get all of this done and over with. It will a blessing to finish.

[darkwolf29a]

Thanks Darkwolf,

I can't wait to get all of this done and over with. It will a blessing to finish.

Any time. And yes....it was a blessing to be finished. LOL Just remember to take your time, and not hurt the fish. It can be a pain, but I found the time trying to catch my fish fun and enjoyable. LOL Of course, I only wish they had found the experience the same, but I'm sure they didn't.

[SOBERKITTY]

I really like having my fish. I didn't think I missed it as much as I did. Like I said when I get settled. Pics for everyone!

[SOBERKITTY]

Hey guys did some research and decided against the sand. I just don't have the time to make sure it is racked and doesn't have bacteria build up. So i've decided to go w/ a very extra small gravel, that i think will work very nicely. Anyone have any serious objections or concerns about this?

[andywoolloo]

whatever you will like the look of best and is o.k. for ur fish type.

I personally love sand, have never had a problem with sand.

[SOBERKITTY]

The guys i came across at a petshop here in town are quite knowledgeable and they have said it would work. They have seen eels burrow in it. I lost a tire track eel years ago to slicing gills open on large sharp gravel. (r.i.p Chevrolet) I thought it was my angel fish that attacked her but I know now it was most likely the gravel. Also w/o doing the whole tank in sand I think it's just going to be too much to keep the sand and gravel seperated. I think this will be much easier.

[SOBERKITTY]

Okay. Everyone got moved well but I lost 2 of the danios in the 29 and my otto in the 2 gallon. I don't know what it was w/ the otto that made it go to the big bowl in the sky. Everything was "normal" as far as readings go. But who knows. One of the Danios lost his tail fins in the move so I'm sure that didn't help. The other one just stopped swimming a whole lot and started resting on the bottom, then was no longer w/ us the next morning. So I'm giving everyone a few weeks to settle in. This is the second week settled in now and Vacuum (my cory) has already spawned more eggs so I need to get a few boys soon. Hopefully I'll be able to get my Pleco soon too. I was very limited on funds so I was not able to make a patch of sand or small gravel for the Raphael catfish,

Platydoras costatus

. I needed the water conditioner more anyway. I also hope to get a 10 gallon to set up as a grow out tank. I'll post pics in a few more weeks. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone. It kept it from being a total mess.

[Richard B]

Good to hear it was relatively trouble-free. Moves can go real-well but can equally sometimes be a disaster - good preparations are key to getting it right - well done.

[andywoolloo]

glad you're getting settled in, sorry to hear you had a few losses.

[SOBERKITTY]

I was sorry to loose the gold zebra danio. But I'm glad my catfish all made it.