Moving pets takes thought and consideration to keep them safe and healthy. Transporting aquariums requires special gear and forethought to ensure they arrive intact. Here is a beginner’s guide to moving marine life and their habitats.

Aquarium Moving 101

What Are the Essential Packing Supplies?

Make sure you don’t pack up the aquarium supplies while getting ready to move. You’ll need a fish net, several clean buckets, a siphon hose, and sturdy boxes to move the fish tank and the fish. 

How Can You Care for the Fish and Plants?

Stop feeding the fish a day or two before moving to ensure their water stays clear in-transit when it isn’t being filtered. If your new home is within an hour, empty the tank to half-full. Use a net to capture the fish and place them in individual plastic bags and tie knots into the tops.

Store small schooling fish like guppies together because they prefer to be with a community. Place the bags back in the water and have the movers carefully store the fish tank in the truck, where it will be secure during transit.

For moves that will take longer than an hour or involving large fish, place two to three marine animals in a clean bucket with several inches of water from the tank. Shut the bucket lids and tape them closed to avoid spillage.

Remove real and fake plants from the bottom of the tank and place them in a bucket with several inches of tank water to keep them healthy and wet. They’re more likely to survive the move if they are kept moist.

How Can You Pack the Tank?

Use a siphon hose to remove any remaining water from the tank, pouring several inches into a bucket. Place the filter in the bucket to avoid it drying out and ensure it will readily work at the new location.

Scoop out gravel or aggregate on the bottom and place it in a container so you can thoroughly rinse the material before reinstalling it in the tank. Protect statues and rocks with cushioning material and secure them in a box.

Wrap the tank with bubble wrap and place it in a box with insulating foam to protect the glass in transit. Label the tank fragile and denote which end goes up with an arrow to protect the delicate habitat further.

How Can You Setup the Tank? 

Once you arrive at the new place, unpack the tank and fill it with the rocks and statues. Add water and the filter before testing the liquid to ensure it’s safe for the fish. Once the chemistry is right and the water is clear of sediment, install the plants and return the fish to their new home.

People who need short- or long-distance moves near Green Bay, WI, should contact Economy Movers of Green Bay for a free estimate. The transportation company has operated since 1982, offering personalized service for professional tasks. Visit their website or call (800) 541-0033 to ask about their residential and commercial moving offerings.