Moving with an aquarium: how to do it safely and without stress
Do you own an aquarium and are planning to move house? In order to safely transport your fish and aquatic plants, you need to pay attention to a few points.
25.04.2023
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1. Transporting an aquarium: checklist for preparation
Place your fish and plants in a transport container with water from the aquarium.
Remove all decorative elements, as they could loosen or break, and store them in secure containers.
Remove the water from the aquarium and store it during transport.
Clean the aquarium thoroughly and let it dry.
Pack the aquarium safely.
Inquire about the water quality at your new place of residence.
Professional move with an aquarium
Do you want to have your move done by professionals? With our moving partner topmovers, you can get quotes for your move. Important: write "transport of aquarium" in the free input field and indicate the size of your aquarium.
2. Transporting aquariums: what you need to know
Carry the aquarium on a flat surface. This could be, for example, a wooden board. The surface should be stable enough to support the weight of the aquarium.
Distribute the weight evenly among as many people as possible. Additionally, use a blanket. This pads the aquarium and protects it from scratches and other damage.
How long can I leave fish in the transport container?
As a rule of thumb: you should your leave your fish in the transport container for no longer than twelve hours. You can get more precise recommendations for individual types of fish at a specialist store.
What should I do if my aquarium is damaged during transport?
If your aquarium is damaged during transport, you should have it checked and repaired by a specialist.
Good to know: if a third party damages the aquarium, their liability insurance normally takes care of the damages.
3. Transport container for fish and plants
To protect your fish and plants, you should place them in a suitable container. This can be, for example, sealed buckets. Fill the container with water from the aquarium. Make sure that the water quality remains stable and that the water values do not fluctuate significantly after the transfer.
Tip: are you not sure whether the containers will withstand the move? Before moving day, take a test drive without fish and plants.
4. After the move: stabilizing the aquarium and reintroducing the fish
Find out about the water conditions near your new home. Water quality can vary depending on the municipality, or in larger cities even by district. Placing your fish directly into the new water can therefore have devastating consequences.
You must adjust the water in the aquarium. There are two options for this:
Adjustment at your old place of residence: do you have access to the water in your new home before the move? Then you can gradually start adding the new water into the aquarium while still living at your current residence. The rule of thumb: replace about 20% of the old water with new water approximately twice a week.
Adjustment after the move: take water from the old residence to your new home. The volume should be at least 50% of the aquarium. Transport the water in secure containers and not in the aquarium. After the move you can gradually adjust the water.
Tip: allow the water in the aquarium to rest for a few hours before reintroducing fish and plants.
5. Conclusion: how to transport your aquarium
Carefully plan the preparations, transportation and acclimatization of your fish. You should then be able to move your aquarium and your fish to the new location without any problems.
