Moving home and Fish tank

Hi Guys
I am moving house and with this I need to move my Main tank too, I remeber what a mission it was getting the tank to my house and setup and plumbing done etc etc am really afriad to try this move alone also if i get someone what will I be expecting to pay (I dont want to rip them off similarly i dont want to be ripped off)

It’s only a 340 l (5 foot) tank with a small 100 – 130 L sump

Even though I am only moving about 15 - 20km I am just afraid to move it on my own and don’t want to risk the fish health and damaging the tank and help from a pro with the plumbing(uninstall and reinstall) would be nice (it took me like 3 days to get the plumbing to not leak when I got the tank)

Does anyone know of reputable fish tank movers if so what is the norm that people do/ask for this

I have one chaps number but as in all things would prefer more than one possibility/quote
I tried google but niks

any suggestions/advice?
Grant

EDIT:

Problems im facing for moving the tanks Myself
The Filter is a sump and dont have another tank and if i move the Fish the day before in a 150L container, my sumps filter media die as theres no water flow
catchig my 20 cm tinfoils
reassmbling the plumbing

 

When you move the tank you want it completely empty. No substrate, no water, nothing. EMPTY.

Ideally you want the fish to be housed in a temp tank at the new spot already. Set up the new tank with the original filters etc, and then move the fish over the next day. As with moving the tank itself... I'm just getting guys I trust to help move it. (I'm moving in a months time too!)

 

am moving in a couple of months too and was thinking about this plenty because i would like to save the filter material and keep it alive, so which is the best way to do this?? and would the same apply for gravel???

i was also told that one quarter of the bag that holds the traveling fish should be water and the rest should be air pumped from a little airstone pump...what you think???

 

Best is to man up and do it yourself, get someone who also is a fishkeeper to help you out that way you know your fish are in good hands. Had to do the same when I moved.

 

Would an airstone in a bucket with media not suffice?

 

Plumbing is really not that hard, i'm in the area if you need help with it

 

What I did is buy one of those big tubs that stores like 80 liters of water then I build a sort of a "stretcher" under it using some some 2b4's the same they use when making house roofs before they tile them. Then fill it with tank water till about halfway introduce the fish with heater and air-stone ect. Then after the water is back to the correct temperature put a cover over it to make it dark (less stress on fish) and it keeps the water temperature up. Then load it on the back of a bakkie and drive carefully to your new place and unload bring the rest of the water in other containers with gravel in a bit of water ect.

And if you build a stretcher it would making carrying it easier esp for two people so you can put more water in there for your fish.

 

Relborg, I pm'ed you a guy's name that might be able to help you. He is in your area.

 

Thanks AquaS - Got it

Yea seems like ive found my Man, Derek offerred me heaps of advice last night and will prolly be assisting me - I think the amount of questions im gonna be asking him is gonna be worth more than the tank move itself - lol

Thanks guys will let you know how it goes: move date - 5 February

 

Best of luck with the move.

 

My move will be done in 2 phases:

My sister (also a fish freak, and a member of TASA) will set up 2 tanks at her place 1 week prior to the move. I currently already have 2 small filters seeding in my tank. These filters will be placed in these tanks. 1 day prior to the move, the fish will be transported to her place in buckets, and kept there.
I will then empty my main tank, transport it through to my new place, set it up over a week, (as I am doing a completely new scape etc). a few days after than I will collect my fish from my sister... repay her with some plant clippings and free fish, and VOILA!

 

Relborg,

Please tell me how you moved your fish tank? I will soon be moving and need to look at moving my fish tank too.

 

@Chan: Carefully ... lol

I supposed it depends on the size of your tank and how far your moving

My smaller tanks I emptied out completely put the Fish in plastic containers and carried it out transported and set it up (used 40% of the same water that were in containers)
My big tank and sump I took the girly route and paid someone to do it lol. It was quite a bit of cash but i tend to have bad luck and break things so i thought rather safe than sorry. I tell you what i dont regret it

He came the day after all my furinture moved, emtied the tank completely - Fish were transported in styrafoam containers - with battary operated air pumps
him and 4 other guys used these glass suction cups carried my empty tank to a lorry secured it tightly with straps and styrafoam. fish we transported sperately on my request braced into a vehicle

At the new place he replaced the styrafoam underneath my tank replaced all my plumbing (much more professional than i did lol)made sure it was level Filled the tank up made sure there were no leaks left it for a couple of hours took out the water added 30% of the old water (that we transported in plastic drums) filled the tank up with conditioned water. left the tank for a few more hours. Added my fish, all good

Happy to report no deaths or breakages and Derek was brilliant(TBH i was sceptical at first) and he loves chatting about fish and explaining/answering questions - the whole move setup etc took about 8 hours (we only moved 20 min away)


Derek actually now supplies me with my carbon and dechlor much cheaper than the shops and my water never looked better
I would happily refer and list Derek and all his tank services here but dont want to infringe on rules of forum.
If you are interested in his servies PM me (i dont think that any of the sponsors do tank moves and setups etc i did ask)

Suggestions on moving your tank :
Empty your tank completely
Dont move your tank (if its big) on the same day as the rest of your stuff this will stress you out even more
If your tank is more than 100 L replace the styrafoam at the bottom of the tank
Try take at least 30% of your old water with you

Hope that helps

 

Thanks @ Relborg! Will send a PM.