Moving house
- Thread starter Ako
- Start date
That's not too bad, then. I would recommend doing a trip just for the tank/fish, if you're able to. Or have that loaded/unloaded in a way that takes priority and allows you to concentrate on setting it back up. To my understanding, some of the most important things are, in no particular order:
- Keeping your filter media wet and the bacteria colonies alive
- Making sure you completely empty the tank before moving it. If hardscape must be left in, stabilize it so it can't shift and crack the tank!
- Keeping your fish as calm as possible (i.e. in the dark)
- Guarding against temperature fluctuations while the fish is being transported. This can take the form of transporting in a cooler of some sort for insulation.
- Properly dechlorinating the new water in the tank so that you don't kill whatever bacteria survived or harm the fish upon re-entry to the tank.
- Did I mention temperature in the moved tank? Because that should be stable before you put your Oscar back in, as well. Basically, you may have to do an acclimation process once the tank is set back up and the water temperature has stabilized.
i have moved my whole house with a couple tanks a couple times. Best thing to do is pack everything and put tank in very last so you can get it out first thing. put fish in five gallon bucket or ice chest full of tank water and add some prime or amonia killer to water. travel with fish in climate control cab of vehicle secure so it cant move or spill. Make sure container is dark so fish dont spook alot. try and Keep as much cycled tank water as you can to put back in tank when you set it up, if you cant it should be fine. make sure you fill tank with apropriate temp water and reaclimate fish as if you just bought new one from store and big ol O will be just fine.
I would move everything to were it is just the tank on the floor with all the necessities.
Than take car and lower all seats put the tank in car and drive slowly to the new house.
Buy a car battery and one of those attachments that can take a car battery and make it an outlet. Have everything running while driving. (water should be half way) Cover entire tank with thick blanket so it is dark.
Than take car and lower all seats put the tank in car and drive slowly to the new house.
Buy a car battery and one of those attachments that can take a car battery and make it an outlet. Have everything running while driving. (water should be half way) Cover entire tank with thick blanket so it is dark.
i have the feeling driving with a 5 foot tank, even partially full of water, is a bad idea.
if possible:
now you have a lot more time to take down and clean your 5 footer, transport it safely, stand it up at the new place, level & fill & decorate, and then transfer everything back over.
if possible:
- set up a temporary tank at the new place, and either fully cycle or instant cycle using bacterial supplement, and let the temperature stabilize
- transport just the fish (in a cooler or bucket), as well as your filter(s)
- add your filter(s) to the temporary tank, acclimate the fish and add to the tank
now you have a lot more time to take down and clean your 5 footer, transport it safely, stand it up at the new place, level & fill & decorate, and then transfer everything back over.
I would ask a local fish store to board your Oscar for a week or so, might have to pay them some small fee. Then you can take your time moving the tank and re-setting it up, and get the fish when you are ready.
One thing to consider is your cycle will probably die- clean everything very well and re-cycle the tank before putting the Oscar back in is probably your best bet. Or you can buy Dr. Tim's bacterial cultures and do it that way. Or, if your really lucky, LFS will let you put your filter on one of their tanks for the time being, and when you get the fish you can grab that too. Bacteria should live through an hour drive just fine.
One thing to consider is your cycle will probably die- clean everything very well and re-cycle the tank before putting the Oscar back in is probably your best bet. Or you can buy Dr. Tim's bacterial cultures and do it that way. Or, if your really lucky, LFS will let you put your filter on one of their tanks for the time being, and when you get the fish you can grab that too. Bacteria should live through an hour drive just fine.