While moving is usually an exciting experience, logistically it can take a lot of work. From boxing everything up, putting it in a truck, and unpacking, moving houses is no easy task. It can be especially challenging when you have fragile items, and especially fragile items that have living animals in them. Today we are going to review the best way to move a fish tank when moving houses. If you follow these simple steps, your fish and their tank will safely make it to their new home without a hassle.

How to move a fish tank when moving house?

If you are wondering how to move a fish tank when moving houses, follow these simple steps below.

1. Transporter Bag

Using a fish net, capture all your fish and put them into a sizeable, sealable bag. You should fill up the bag before hand with water that was already in its tank. If you have different fish species, it is best to put them each in different bags. You can then put all of the bags into a cooler container for the move. Don’t put any ice in the cooler.

2. Save some of fish tank water

Pour a couple gallons of the water into an empty milk carton or other type of container. This is important and will save you a lot of time when you get to the new house. If you don’t save the water from the fish tank, then you will have to cycle your tank at the new house, and your fish will have to wait in the bags.

3. Safely pack rest of equipment

Pack up the rest of the fish tank equipment, including the lights, filters, food, etc. and put them in a moving box. Make sure you are careful with the box that has the light, as the bulb can easily break if not handled correctly.

4. Cycle the tank

You only need to do this if you didn’t save any of the water from the tank. The nitrogen cycle usually takes a couple days, meaning you should not put your fish in the new tank until the cycle has been completed.

5. Set up and add fish

Once at the new house, set up all the fish tank equipment. If possible, try to put the fish tank decorations and ornaments back in their original positions. This will help limit your fish’s anxiety from the move. After everything is finally set up, you can add the fish!