If you have pets, moving from one location to another just got a whole lot tougher. If you have an aquarium then, the difficulty level just went up to the next level, because moving an aquarium and the fishes inside them is not an easy task, it will take proper planning and skill and a lot of preparation. With fishes and aquarium, it is a two-step process, firstly you need to transport the aquarium and then safely transport all the fish. Whatever you do, never move the aquarium with the fishes inside it.
How to Move An Aquarium
1. Empty The Aquarium
Firstly, empty the aquarium of all its contents. Starting with the fishes, move them to a holding container with properly treated water, remove all the plants and other accessories and store them properly. Make sure you have all the needed items with you such as the storage containers for the fish, the plants, and other aspects like the fan and the filtration system. Do not keep everything stuffed into a box, keep everything separate. That is why proper planning is needed before you start the move.
2. Drain The Water
You want to make the aquarium as light as possible, and if you thought you could transport it with water, then no. Aquariums even without the water are heavy and trying to transport water is never a good idea. To properly drain it and dry the aquarium so that if you are transporting any other item, there won’t be a risk of moisture buildup.
3. Call In The Experts
Moving the aquarium is not just simply draining the water and moving fish to a holding container. Firstly it is made up of glass and you need to be careful, you need to pack it properly in multiple layers and load and unload it carefully, without exerting too much pressure as if the pressure on one side is large, the glass will crack or even break. Not just for loading and unloading are you going to need the help of experts, an aquarium is made up of various parts like the filtration system, various filters are there so you need expert knowledge to remove and re-fit it. So call a reputed cargo moving crew to help you out. Take the top of the aquarium pack it separately in protective wrapping and place it inside a storage box. Use bubble wraps and air-filled wraps to the maximum, because it is glass, so you need the maximum level of protection.
4. Moving the Fishes
Fishes get real stressed once they are moved out of their normal habitat and you have to do everything to make sure that you don’t put them under a lot of stress. You can use either a plastic bag or a glass bowl to transport the fish, but whichever method you choose, always remember not to fill water till the top, leave room for air. After packing them place them in a cushioned and well-protected container such that they remain protected during the transit process. Do not stuff too many fishes into one bag or bowl, as the space for them to move around and the oxygen would be low, so pack them accordingly. All the fish should be well fed before the move, especially if it is a long journey.
5. Final Step
Make sure the aquarium reaches the final destination before you do because you do not want to keep the fish inside the small containers for a long period, as the water will get contaminated. Once the aquarium reaches the final destination, prepare the aquarium by putting all the components back, such as the gravel, plant, and other accessories, the filtration system thermostat, filling it with water and making sure all the systems are working fine. Once the system has been set, slowly load the fishes back into the tank and you are all done.
To Sum Up
The best thing to do is to call us, in the expert as you ended to have sound knowledge to disassemble and to reassemble the aquarium and pack it safely. Extra care has to be taken during the loading and unloading, as the process of moving the aquarium has to be in a uniform manner or the glass will crack if the weight is applied on one spot alone, like improper lifting or tilting it to one side.
