Going new places can come with special challenges. One of the biggest is moving a fish tank. Travel is highly stressful on fish. Even with the best precautions, you may lose several. Some experts even suggest you sell your fish and buy new ones after you arrive. However, if you must move your fish, follow the procedures below to minimize your losses.
Moving fish consists of two parts. First you move the tank. Then you move the fish. Never move the fish in the tank.
Moving the tank: The biggest challenge in moving an aquarium is the filtration system. Without a flow of oxygen in the water, aerobic bacteria start to die in a matter of hours. It will take you a few hours to tear down, pack, unpack, and set up. If you move a short distance, no more than one or two hours away, you might preserve the bacteria colony. Otherwise, you'll need to restart it. Follow this procedure: