How do I move my fish from a 50 gallon tank?

Question

My husband and I are moving from Michigan to Montana after Christmas. We have a 50 gallon fish tank full of fish. We aren't going to take the tank with us (we're going to give it to my brother's family) so how do we move the fish?

I obviously don't want them to die in the process. How do I go about moving the fish and getting the tank set up?

We don't have a smaller tank either, just the big one.

Answer 1

I've done this before with a 36 gallon tank. I went to Home Depot (any hardware store is fine) and bought a bunch of empty 5 gallon buckets, and clear trash bags. You want to use as much of the old water as you can keep when you set the tank back up, so line the buckets with the bags and fill them up one at a time. The fish can go in one of the bags also. Put the plants and decorations in a bag, and take apart the filter/heater/air pump/etc. When you get everything to it's new home set it back up just like it was before. You'll probably have to put some new water in because it is hard to get every drop but use some stress coat to help the fish with the transition. Try to set the plants back up the way they were before so it doesn't make the fish too nervous with such a big change. If it isn't that long of a trip the fish should be fine and the water temp shouldn't change that much. Make sure the brother's family knows how to take care of the fish once everything is set up too. Good luck.

Answer 2

This might be a toughy to answer but maybe some sugestions that might help...1. find a buyer for your fish now and use the money to purchase new ones once your moved.
2.) find out how and if the local post office will ship these to someone you know that is currently living close to the area you are moving to and have them pkg and shipped to that address just before you move. (make all nessary arrangements before hand)
3.) some stores offer airators (sp)? but I am not sure how you would control the temp of the water.
4.) buy some large baggies add 1/2 water to a baggie then one fish. make sure the baggie is filled with air. you may have to redo the baggie along the way and keep a check on the fish. you might could stand the baggies up in a cardboard box so they wont fall over an cause the fish more stress. I dont know how you would keep the temp good for the distance you have to travel. maybe use luke warm water to start with?

Answer 3

Fish cannot survive an extended drive; probably more than 7-8, maybe 9 hours, moreso because of stress rather than whether you can provide adequate filtration and oxygenation. If your trip is going to be longer than this, I would strongly suggest going to a reputable local fish store and get some assistance and advice on proper packing and shipping for your fish. If your trip is going to be no more than 7-9 hours, then you can put them into those 5 gallon buckets you get from home improvement stores. Use the old, existing water from the tank. Also, save as much of the old gravel as possible and put that in a separate bucket filled with more of the old, existing water from the tank, along with the filter and decorations. It is extremely important that you keep all of these things as wet as possible so that you don’t lose all the wonderful beneficial bacteria that has grown in the tank. This will save you a lot of time, trouble and heartache when you set up new and having to cycle the tank all over again. Of course, seal all of the buckets with the lids to prevent water from sloshing out. If you can get a battery operated filtration and/or aerator, set this up in the bucket with fish. This will help immensely. If you can’t, stop from time to time and scoop up water with a cup and pour it back in the bucket, waterfall style. This will help with oxygenation. Also, put as many holes as you can in the lid on the bucket with fish. Pack the buckets, especially the one with fish, in a very stable corner of your car, preferably on the floor and pack it securely with blankets, bubble wrap or anything to stop it from moving the least. Drive very carefully and make sure no quick starts or stops, sharp turns and avoid potholes and bumps. Once at the destination, set up the tank as original, and don't feed the fish for about 24 hours. Food will only add to the stress and possibly make them sick. Also, you need to advise your brother and his family that they need to test the water religiously, at least once a week, to ensure that it has no spikes in the ammonia or nitrites. Make sure they understand proper water changes, siphoning, cleaning and maintenance and proper feeding techniques to ensure that these fish remain happy and healthy. Good luck!

Answer 4

I agree with Chelsea's answer - using your old tank water and moving your fish in the 5 gallon buckets.

I'd just like to add that you should refrain from feeding the fish for 48 hours before your trip. That will reduce ammonia build up from their wastes.

You can also get a battery operated airpump and put an airstone into each bucket to keep the surface aerated and provide plenty of oxygen saturation for your fish.

As far as number of hours that they can survive in your buckets - remember that they are shipped to your pet store in small bags with very little water from long distances. So if they can survive days in little enclosed bags, they can survive a long roadtrip in 5 gallon containers.

Do plan ahead and have your tank set up and waiting for you in Montana. That will make it easier to move your fish into their new home as soon as you arrive.

Answer 5

It depends on how many fish, and how far away you are traveling with them. When I moved mine, I just did what the petstore does when you go buy fish-bag them in some tank water making sure to have air in the bag before sealing it. Or, you could fill a 5g bucket halfway with tank water and put some of them in there. Good luck!

Answer 6

If you don't have a cycled tank at the other end of the move,you will lose some or even all of your fish. It would be better to start all over.

Answer 7

it is easiest to catch fish by lowering the water level, removing the decorations/ plants, and catching with an aquarium net. If you cannot catch fish, try building this fish trap,

http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-aquarium-tools/32.asp

you should try to save as much water as possible. Float your filtration media in one bucket. Your fish can stay in another secured bucket of old water as long as you have a battery operated bubbler for them. During this trip without a filter do not feed them, a healthy fish can easily go for 1.5 weeks without food. by not feeding them you are reducing the amount of waste they are producing.

As soon as you get your fish to their new home add the old water you saved to the new tank. Treat and add the new water. Then watch your tank cycle.
good luck!!

Answer 8

You could put them in bags like the ones from the pet shop and make sure there is a lot of air in them before tieing them and put them in Styrofoam boxes.They will live for many hours as long as they are kept the same temperature.