Moving a Fish Tank

Start a Few Days Ahead

Fish tanks aren't a same-day pack -- give yourself a few days of lead time. Stop feeding your fish about 24 to 48 hours before the move; less food waste in the water means less stress on the fish during transport, and fish handle a short fast better than a stressed digestive system in a bag.

Moving the Fish

1. Transport fish in sturdy, sealed bags filled about one-third with tank water and the rest with air, placed inside an insulated cooler to keep temperature stable.
2. Keep the cooler with you in your own vehicle rather than on the moving truck -- fish need a stable, moderate temperature that a truck can't guarantee.
3. Minimize travel time where you can; the shorter the trip, the less stressful it is on the fish.

Moving the Water

Save several gallons of your existing tank water in clean, sealed containers if the move is more than a couple of hours -- reintroducing your fish to at least some familiar water reduces shock at the new location. For longer moves, this isn't always practical, and a fresh, properly treated and cycled setup at the destination is the more realistic plan.

Moving the Tank and Equipment

Clean the empty tank, then pack it with plenty of padding -- moving pads or bubble wrap around the entire tank, especially the corners and seams, which are the most vulnerable points. Filters, heaters and air pumps should be drained, dried and wrapped individually. Substrate (gravel or sand) can usually be bagged and moved separately, and decorations should be padded the same way as any fragile item.

Setting Up at the New Home

Reassemble the tank, refill it, and let the water reach a stable, safe temperature before reintroducing your fish -- don't rush this step. If you saved some of your original tank water, this is where it helps most. Keep a close eye on your fish for the first few days after the move; some stress-related behavior is normal, but anything that looks like real distress is worth addressing quickly.

Have a larger aquarium or a reef setup? Talk to us about the specifics when you request a quote -- we can plan around specialty items like this as part of your move.