When you set up that monstrous fish tank you probably didn’t realize you would eventually need to move it. Moving a fish tank of any size can be a daunting task, and it can be extremely risky. Without the proper precautions, you could find most of your fish dying in the move.

Follow this short guide to moving your fish as safely as possible.

What You’ll Need

Besides the supplies you should already have (suction hose, fish net, etc), you’ll need a few additional things to complete this move successfully.

• Fish bags (ask your local pet supplier if you can buy a few)
• Previously unused transportation container (plastic buckets, Styrofoam cooler, plastic cooler)
• Plenty of patience

It’s important that the containers be unused to prevent poisoning (and killing) your fish.

Before the Move

Don’t feed your fish for 48 hours before the move. This prevents your fish from polluting the water with their waste, which will increase their chances of falling ill. There are few fish that can’t survive without eating for this long, and you’ll know it if you have one of those.

Remove all of the decorations from your tank, and remove about 50% of the tank water. You’ll use this water in the fish bags. Fill them no more than one third, which will allow the water to remain oxygenated during the move.

Do everything you can to minimize the number of fish in each bag. Of course, schooling fish should be kept together if possible. This helps to reduce the chances that potentially aggressive fish will become combative with each other, meaning your fish are more likely to arrive at their new home in one piece.

Use an extra bucket for your gravel, and be sure it’s covered with water. This helps to keep the helpful microorganisms alive, reducing the chances of having to start with a fresh nitrogen cycle when you get to your new home. Throw the filter in there, too, while you’re at it.

During the Move

Drive slowly and try to avoid any bumps, sudden acceleration or deceleration, and crazy swerves. If you’re going to be driving more than three hours away, you might want to consider using a live animal shipping service, as longer trips could prove fatal to your fish.

Arrival and Setup

The first thing you should do is get your tank setup. Try to rearrange all of the decorations as they were in the old tank. This will minimize additional stress caused by putting your fish in a new environment. Once your tank is set up, use your existing technique for acclimating new fish to a new tank.

Place the bags in the water you’ve just added to the tank, allowing the temperatures to equalize. This should be finished after fifteen to thirty minutes. Add the fish to the tank one by one, gently “pouring” them from their fish bag into the tank.

Now that your fish are all moved in, you’ll have a relaxing seascape to help keep you calm while you handle the stress of unpacking all of your other belongings.