dob@ihuxj.UUCP (Daniel M. O'Brien) (05/17/84)
My house is currently up for sale and in anticipation of it's selling, I am wondering how I should go about preparing my two aquariums, one a 30 gallon and the other 20 gallon, for the eventual move to a new abode. I thought about draining half or more of the water out (saving it?) and then trying to move them half filled. Or should I get a couple of 5 gallon buckets and put the fish and aquarium water in those? I have 2 large and 2 small gold fish in the 20 gallon and 6-8 medium fish (angels & swordtails) and 6-8 smaller fish in the 30 gallon. What does the net think? If the answer is obvious to everyone except to me, then send me mail. If your answer is unique, post to the net. I will summarize all responses mailed to me. Thanks. -- Daniel M. O'Brien AT&T Bell Laboratories IH 4A-258 Naperville, IL 60566 ....!ihuxj!dob
walsh@ihuxi.UUCP (B. Walsh) (05/17/84)
The easiest way to move fish & tanks is to get some of those styrofoam boxes that the fish stores use to transport fish (ask at your local store). Put some of your tank water in them, empty your tanks halfway and take out all rocks, plants, etc., so you can catch the fish. Put the fish in the styrofoam box and then COMPLETELY EMPTY your tanks. Trying to move tanks that large with water in them is dangerous and a good way to develop leaks. Immediately transport fish and tanks to new place and set up tanks. There's no hurry for the goldfish, but for the tropicals that need warm water there is. The box will probably keep them warm enough for a couple of hours. The boxes have tops, but it would be even better to use plastic bags for the fish and put the bags in the boxes, because this prevents any splashing around during transport. That's more of a hassle to do though. The pet store I frequent let me have two boxes for free; they're about 24 inches square and 8 to 10 inches deep. At least the styrofoam keeps the water warm longer than anything else would. Good luck! (It's a real hassle!) B. Walsh
piety@hplabs.UUCP (Bob Piety) (05/18/84)
A clean, plastic garbage can will work. Just siphon, say, 10-15 gallons of
water from your tanks into the can, squirt in some stuff that you get from
the aquarium shop (it forms a protective slime on the fish to help ease the
shock of the move), and put the fish in. Try to keep it insulated during the
move to avoid temperature changes, and try to minimize the transport time.
Another container that we have used succesfully is an ice chest. They are
well insulated and ours is just right for transporting the inhabitants of
our 55gal tank.
A point to remember: The trauma of moving causes the fish to use more oxygen
than normal. Thus, if the move is a long one, oxygenation of the water is
recommended and, again, insulation of the container to minimize temperature
fluctuations is important.
From the aquarium of
Bobwmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (05/18/84)
VERY Carefully... [Sorry, I couldn't resist this....] Will
kcd@druca.UUCP (DeCockKC) (05/19/84)
YOU DON'T Keenan
dob@ihuxj.UUCP (Daniel M. O'Brien) (05/20/84)
As I am still receiving replys, I will summarize later in the week, but for now... the answer to above is not only VERY carefully, but also, with GREAT difficulty. Sorry, I couldn't resist either. -- Daniel M. O'Brien AT&T Bell Laboratories IH 4A-258 Naperville, IL 60566 ....!ihuxj!dob