Tips To Help You Successfully Relocate With Your Aquarium
It's possible to move with your aquarium safe and sound provided you follow the recommended guidelines and pay attention to the precautions. Remember that the fish tank, aquarium accessories and the fish are all delicate and require special care. Below are some essential guidelines to help you transport your fish, fish tank and aquarium accessories successfully when relocating.
Moving the Fish Tank
Disabling your fish tank is the first precaution you should observe before moving the tank. So make sure you detach the filtration system of the aquarium and remove the fish from the tank. Also, you should drain the fish tank because the water can make your tank crack at the bottom if it's twisted when in transit.
It's also advisable to remove the gravel from the fish tank, especially if your fish tank is big, because the gravel can also make your tank crack at the bottom. Remember to alert your removalists that you have an aquarium, so that your service provider can make arrangements on how to fasten and transport the tank.
Keeping Your Fish Alive
To keep your fish alive throughout the travel, make sure you don't leave them unattended for hours. Regularly check the state of the fish and their surrounding environment. For instance, ensure that temperatures are at the recommended rate. If you expect the temperatures to drop, then consider carrying a heat pack that you can activate to raise the temperature to the recommended levels.
Also, you should ensure that your fish have enough room to swim. So if you choose to pack your fish in plastic bags, it's advisable to pack each fish in its own bag instead of having the fish share a bag. Also, for optimal safety, if you bag your fish, place the bagged fish in a larger container and fill in any surrounding spaces left unoccupied to keep the bagged fish from rolling and turning when on move.
Moving the Filter Medium
The filter medium used in the aquarium helps maintain good water quality. It's advisable to remove the medium from its holder and transport it separately. If you're moving the filter medium over a short distance, then you can place it in a sealable container. The container can be a new pail or a hard-sided container and it must be clean and void of any chemicals. Otherwise, if you it take longer than a day to travel, then it's best to clean your filter medium first or discard it.
Otherwise, if you want to maintain a high percentage of the aerobic bacteria in your filter medium alive, then you may want to transport it in oxygenated water. So transport the medium in a bucket with aquarium water and oxygenate the water using a battery-powered pump.
You don't have to leave your aquarium behind when you relocate. The guidelines provided above can help you transport your aquarium safely without losing your fish or their home.