Every pet lover would understand the impact that those little creatures can have on one person’s life. They can cheer you up, release you from stress, make you smile, and make you cry. They are actual family members. Therefore, if you are about to move your home, it is natural that you want to take them with you. But that’s not always easy. There are already so many things to handle. And now you need to create a brand new plan, that will help you have the relocation of your pet under control, too. But that’s why we are here! And if you are a fish person, read carefully. Here comes a quick guide to moving a large fish tank.

Good preparation is half of your work done

Before making any important steps, you need to think well about every single detail. Make sure that you know everything about your pet’s needs and consider all sorts of options for moving. It is highly important to make some good decisions right at the beginning.

Moving supplies necessary for moving a large fish tank

So, first things first. Take a meter. Measure your fish tank and write everything down. Then, compare these measures with the ones of your new house doorway and staircase. Everything needs to fit perfectly well. And, you need to know it before you start your move. What’s more, if you want to relocate your large fish tank easily and safely, you’ll need some good and adequate moving supplies, too. For this case you must get:

  • some buckets and plastic bags
  • a fishnet
  • a siphon hose
  • some solid moving boxes
  • bubble wrap, tape, packing paper or old newspapers
  • some furniture blankets, some styrofoam
There is a woman standing and holding a huge box, the one you'll need when moving a large fish tank.
Find a big, but above all strong and solid box for your large fish tank.

How to prepare your water friends for the move?

No matter how it may look like, fish can go through some kind of stress while transportation. Therefore, before you start your packing process and making a deal with Phila Gorilla Movers, it is necessary for you to prepare your pets well. First of all, it is recommendable that you try not to feed them at least 24 hours before the moving day. This way you can make sure the water will be clean during the move. The thing is that this can only help, without hurting your fish, indeed, since they can survive for a very long time without food- even for a whole week.

When it comes to transportation, it depends mainly upon the size of your fish. If they are small, you can move them withing several plastic bags. However, if they are a bit bigger, you’ll definitely need some buckets. One thing to remember is that you should fill these bags or buckets with the water from their own tank. That is important because fish can react to every single change in their environment.

Prepare your fish tank items

In the process of relocating your large fish tank, you really need a lot of patience. Those are very fragile items and it would be best if you could transport them in your own vehicle. However, it is clear that sometimes your vehicle is not big enough, and you need to get some moving assistance. In these cases, don’t forget to point out clearly how fragile your item is and to ask your movers to handle it carefully.

But before getting to the point of transportation itself, you’ll need to get your large tank ready for that. The first thing you need to do is to drain the water using a siphon hose. Be careful to save as much water as you can, and preserve it in the buckets, since that would be the best environment for your fish when you finally reach your new home. After that, take out all the live plants and place them in some bucket too. Again, it would be best if this bucket is filled with the tank water, as well. Finally, there come all the decoration elements and aquarium equipment. Remove them one by one, dry them well and wrap them in the packing paper, bubble wrap, or some old newspapers. Keep in mind that they are also very fragile, and need to be protected during the transportation process.

There is a yellow and white fish and some red seaweed next to it.
Different fish sizes require different transportation methods.

The tank itself

And finally when you have it all settled down there comes the tank itself. It would be great to clean it thoroughly and dry it well, before packing. Then, choose the appropriate box for its transportation. You will probably need a huge one, but try not to use too big, either. Fill the box with paper, or some styrofoam, to make sure your tank will be protected from bumps. However, if you can’t find an adequate box, and if your tank is very big, try to wrap it in a moving blanket, and put pieces of several moving boxes all around it.

But never forget this- make your precious fish and their home the last thing you’ll pack before the move, but the first one you’ll unpack when you arrive at your destination.

Finally at home

Now, eventually, you are at your new home! Do not waste your time and take care of your pets. After safely relocating your precious large fish tank, it’s time to put everything together again. At this point, if your move went well, think about rewarding your movers with a symbolic tip. It doesn’t have to be much, but it will show your gratitude.

During the first days after your relocation, make sure that you control your fish from time to time. See how they react to the new place, and whether there are any changes. But do not be worried if some of them refuse to eat or try to hide. Just be patient, they need time to adjust, and everything will be just fine.

There is a green and gray fish, some stones and seaweeds all around it.
The moving process may be stressful for your fish, as well.

After reading this little guide, relocating your large fish tank may not seem so complicated anymore. It will take time, and it will need your close attention, but it is not impossible. Hope we helped!


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