Moving an XL aquarium for the first time ever. Advice please.

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Haasume

Haasume

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2018
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Kansas
If this post is not in the proper forum I apologize I looked for a place to post for quite a while and found nothing. Anyway, I was lucky enough to come across an ad on craigslist from a lady whose father in law passed away recently. All the ad said was(large aquarium $100.) Chance has it that I was the first to respond and she told me she new nothing about fish or tanks and just wanted it gone. She told me the dimensions were 72" x 18" x 51" (this is the tank AND stand). Currently running with a big mean JD Cichlid in it. Obviously I couldn't pass all that up for $100.
My question is this: I have never owned, moved or handled an aquarium of this size. I pick it up this weekend. They said they would not touch anything until I got there. Will y'all please tell me step by step what I am supposed to do once I get there to:
- Properly break the tank down while conserving anything I will need later.
- Thoroughly clean the tank and everything inside once I get it home.
- Set it up in my home
- Hopefully keep the JD alive
-What I can reuse or keep in order to not have to cycle the tank all over again.
- Based on the pics below, Is there anything you can tell I should be getting for this aquarium that would make it healthier for the fish and easier on me?
I know its a lot of questions but I would really hate to screw this up. Thank you in advance for any advice given.

I DID POST THIS SAME QUESTION ON ANOTHER FORUM, DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS AGAINST THE RULES SO I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST BE TRUTHFUL
 
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First set up a temporary tank for whatever fish are in the tank. Once that is done then you can start by turning off heaters and filter. Drain tank with a siphon or hose. Remove rocks and substrate. And whatever else is in there. Let heaters sit in tank for a bit after they are unplugged. They will crack if removed from water while hot. Disconnect filter and remove. Get a couple strong friends to help you move tank and stand. When setting tank up, make sure everything is level. Make sure your floor can withstand the weight of a filled tank. Add water and substrate, rocks, decor if you choose to. Add heater, connect filter and you should be good. I’d at least add new filter floss to filter. I’d leave bio media alone if you are doing this all in one day. It’ll speed up the cycling. That’s my 2 cents
 
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Sounds like a 125 gallon. Shouldnt be too much for two able bodied people to handle.

One thing that will help is have the tank area at your house all clear and ready to go. Have some tools and leveling equipment available in case you need it. Stock up on water conditioner. I like using stresscoat in situations like these when youre going to be adding a fish almost immediately. Get a liquid water test kit and ammonia/chlorine test kit if you dont have one already.

Seasoned filter media is a must. Dont throw any of it away, even if its mucky. It will be key to making your tank hospitable for the JD. Keep it in a bucket with some tank water on the drive back.

Have a temporary home set up for the JD. A bucket or sturdy plastic tote will do. If youre gonna have him in there longer than a couple hours you should put an airstone or small powerhead in. Keep the container dark so as to calm the fish.

I would just drain the tank, break it all down, remove substrate. When you get it to your place set it up and fill with water, hook up filter with seasoned media asap.

If the tank needs cleaning, clean it now while its partially full of water and no decor is inside. You shouldnt need to use any chemicals for cleaning, just some foam sponges and elbow grease.

Use a full dose of water conditioner, wait an hour, then check your water parameters with your test kits for ammonia/chlorine. They should both read 0 before you add any fish. If they dont, then wait awhile longer, use the time to start scaping the tank if you like. Give the fish at least one hiding spot so he can settle in properly.

Attempt to start feeding the fish as soon as you introduce him to the tank. If he is eating its a good indication everything is good to go.

Perform several heavy water changes in the week following your tank setup. Keep monitoring your water parameters.

Whew i wrote more than i intended. Probably overcomplicated things. The key is the seasoned filter media though.
 
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To make things easier go get one of them big plastic totes. Use it for the fish and bio media. Put the air pump from the tank on it to keep it oxygenated.
5gal buckets are great for moving the substrate. If there is algae all over you can take it down, but you dont want to overly clean everything. All surfaces have beneficial bacteria.
Plan it out first, make sure you have good clear work areas, path you are moving tank thru. Dollies and suction cup handles can help for stairs.
 
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joel Backfromthedead- I should have also added that I have a few 75 gallon aquariums already running so I do have all the apropriate test equipment. I have an Aqueon canister filter waiting and ready to go because the only filter I see in the pic is a HOB and I want to keep this tank clean. I am bringing two big bottle of PRIME and I will get my buckets ready.
 
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Jexnell thank you for your response. I do have the place picked out where the tank will go and it is clear. Thankfully there are no stairs and its right inside the front door (at least 8' from any window). To be honest I may take the JD to my LFS because it seams to be a waste to have such a big nice tank with only one fish in it. I may just move him to one of my 75 gallons and let him be alone in there.
 
I have a 125 with just two fish in it, Oscar and a Ornatus catfish. Seen bigger tanks with one fish in it, so don't feel bad about giving a fish a nice big house. It's actually better to give them more room, they act more natural not hideing in a corner scared.
 
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When I was moving my 125 I used these super strong glass suction cups made for moving big glass windows and they made it so easy, if u can find them I would get them as they were so helpful and made it really easy
 
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