How do you move an aquarium full of fish?

Question

Thinking for down the road: I might be moving in the next year or two (hopefully), and it may be well out of state. I have a 6 gallon aquarium with 4 fish in it. It's not saltwater or anything, but three of the fish do require a heater and the fourth one does better with a heater as well. So if I'm going to move somewhere that would require, potentially, a drive that lasts a couple days, how do I bring my fish with me, keep the heaters and filters powered, and avoid dumping a tank full of my fish buddies all over the car?

Answer 1

It can be done- here is a link to help: http://www.bestfish.com/moving.html

Also, you'll need someone else in the car with you to make sure the tank doesn't fall or tip over. 6 gallons isn't that much so it shouldn't be too hard. Also, they sell battery powered plugs you can buy- make sure you bring plenty of batteries so the heater and filter can stay going. Read the link and contact a pet store for advice.

Answer 2

I don't think there's any way to keep everything hooked up and just move the tank but if the fish are small, which they probably are if its a 6 gallong aquarium, you can get one of those big 5 gallon water bottles like the ones they have in waiting rooms and offices and stuff and fill it with the water from the aquarium. Then you can just put the fish inside that. I've also heard of people buying one of those plastic totes and lining it with a big clear trash bag and putting the water and the fish in the trash bag. It depends on how far of a drive you have but the fish will probably be fine without a heater and filter. I did this once moving from California to Idaho and they all survived just fine. If you're moving in the warmer months the water temperature shouldn't change very much. If its really cold it might drop a bit. You can consider buying a power inverter for your cigarette lighter and plugging a submersible heater into that and hang it into the top of the container. Don't feed them right before you put them in the container and don't feed them while they are in there. They will be okay a day or so without food, if you try to feed them they probably won't eat because of stress and it will just make the water dirty. You can also put some "stress coat" in the water to decrease the stress that the move will put them in. They'll probably be okay. Fish are shipped to pet stores from overseas all of the time in nothing but a plastic bag and a cardboard box. Good luck with the move.

Answer 3

There are many options to your problem, one being give the fish away or sell them possibly. If that doesnt appeal to you, if it is less than an hour trip you could place them in plastic bags filled with oxygen or you could get a big bucket place a heater and airstone and that would do just fine. When im moved from Ny-Nj i did the bucket with heater and airstone and had no casualties, but i had already had a set-up and fully cycled aquarium at the new house. Since your fish are not saltwater i dont think it would be as hard to do.

Answer 4

Most fish are pretty tolerent as long as it doesn't get too cold in your car. You can do a couple of things. I would go to your local pet shop and explain that you will be moving and could they please provide the service of putting your fish in seperate bags and fill each bag with air. Once all the bags are full, put them in a stirofoam cooler or box which will insulate the warm water, air and fish for a longer period of time. If you want to purchase a 110 adaptor for your car cigarette lighter and place a heating pad under the cooler and just set the whole thing on the floor of the front seat (on low) they will be fine for quite a while. After a day or so (depending on the mixture of air that the pet shop puts in the bags) stop by another pet shop and ask them to do the same again. As long as the fish are getting fresh air when they depleat what is in the bag, and they stay in the stirofoam box they should be fine.

This is how pet shops get their fish flown in from where they are bred. When you arrive at your destination, I would go to your new pet shop and ask them for a gallon or so of water from one of their fish tanks. You have to have a culture in your tank to keep it healthy. A tank that has been taken care of and has fish living in it will continue the bacteria culture growth that stays in the gravel. You can also just jar up some of your tank water before you leave and keep it to add to your tank in the new location.

Answer 5

Draining the tank and replacing with clean water is something that needs to be done every so often. I use to remove the gravel, and boiled on the stove to kill all the algae, and then rinse it. A local tropical fish store (not a pet shop) will have what you need to replace the water.

If it is a couple of hour drives, then taking apart the take and make a run for it. I was in that situation some time ago, and did not think I could make it without killing the fish. I donated mine to a tropical fish store.

Answer 6

OK
You are going to need some buckets with a secure lid or fix cooking film over the top using elastic bands
I checked out if you can get a 12 volt heater and found this one on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-28Watt-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Heater-Fish-R-Fun-BNIB_W0QQitemZ140155992213QQihZ004QQcategoryZ46310QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So they do make them
Alternatively you can get a 12v to 110v power inverter the sort used for TVs etc
You will also need to insulate the buckets overnight so quilts or bubble wrap or foam packaging, put the buckets in a box and surround them in packaging material failing this wrap it up well with newspapers slightly scrunched don't forget to insulate the top as well

Good luck and drive safely

Answer 7

Have your other tank set up (-1 1/2 gallons of water).
Transfer 1 gallon of tank water into a clean container. Bag the fish in the biggest zip-lock bags you can find. Load water container and bagged fish in styrofoam cooler with a hotwater bottle and towels to maintain temperature and prevent excessive movement.

Drain your current tank, clean it and pack it with you. Sell it or start a second tank of fish in your new diggs.

Get the fish and the water transferred as quickly as possible.

Add the gallon and 1/2 of old water, add fish.

Answer 8

I would say use rubbermaid tubs with the covers (usually for storage) make some holes in the lid so air can circulate through. purchase a vehicle adapter for electronics and plug in the heater. PLace the tubs between other objects to keep it from moving too much, as that can stress the fish out and cause them to die.

Answer 9

I'd hate to say it, but your best option may be selling off your fish and buying new ones when you get where you need to go.

Moving fish is very stressfull on them, and you are guaranteed to lose a few. Especially when you are talking about days, moving them in and out of heat and such.

Answer 10

a 2 day move would be better if you found the fish new homes at a local school. fish aren't easy to transport -- on day moves you can put them in air tight baggies in a cooler. 2 days in a baggie is a bit much. you car is a very good enviornment for things that can handle rapid temperature changes. fish can't.