I Need Advice on Moving a Silver Aro to New Tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I have moved a 20" aro couple of times before. Fish bags are too small for 16" aro. I recommend using 33g black contractor garbage bags from Home Depot... the 3mm thick kind, using this kind of bag you will only need to use 1 bag. Use a powerhead to drain as much water from tank but enough that the fish can still swim. Guide the fish into the bag. The bag might have too much water in for you to carry the bag out because of trying to get the fish into the bag... have a cup or bowl ready to scoop water out to lighten the load. Tie or rubber band the bag, then place the fish into Rubbermaid tub. I usually just release the fish without dripping or anything... If your fish is healthy it should have no problem.

Ok thanks. Just to clarify things, the fish will be contained in the bag inside the tub for the entire drive home right? The fish is healthy so if I can get away without acclimation to lessen the time he spends in the tub then I'll just skip the acclimation.
 
Ok thanks. Just to clarify things, the fish will be contained in the bag inside the tub for the entire drive home right? The fish is healthy so if I can get away without acclimation to lessen the time he spends in the tub then I'll just skip the acclimation.

Yes, the fish will still be in the bag, tied up and place into the container. I did not accliamte when I moved my fish, but you can if you want. Just make sure your tank is ready for the fish when you move it. Good luck on the move.
 
mmmmmm to all experts so its more easier for the fish to use a plastic bag or a pillow case? please advice im planing to clean my aro's tank and its my 1st time since he arrive how much water should i change?
 
mmmmmm to all experts so its more easier for the fish to use a plastic bag or a pillow case? please advice im planing to clean my aro's tank and its my 1st time since he arrive how much water should i change?

how big is the aro and how big is the tank.. smaller aros it makes sense to move to a bucket or somethin and clean the tank but larger ones don't even think about doing that.. i had 3 large aros in a 120g sometime back.. and this is prob advisable only if your aros dont freak out when you put your hand into the tank.. the tank was bare bottom so i just scrubbed it and siphoned out the waste and water.. really depends on how much water you wanna change.. you could probably siphon say 60% to 70% water and while its still goin on start the fresh water source.. keep the siphoning and addin fresh water goin on simultaneously for about ten mins and you'd prob have a full WC..
 
Came back just to update and thank everyone for their help. Here's what I did: Didn't feed 2 days prior to moving and I used a cotton laundry basket to scoop up the aro and to minimize water splash and drip. Aerated the container and did it on a Sunday night which lessened travel time for about 7 minutes. I didn't acclimate, put him in the cycled tank with low lights after letting the container sit in the living room for another 5 minutes. Then I slowly added tankmates after 5 days. Everything went smoothly and he started eating moderately after 12 days which is a good sign and I can't wait to see him eating like a champ again. He's back to his old self. Thanks again.:)
 
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