How to transport a planted tank?

[MosFat]

Hi,

I have a 3x1.5x1.5 ft tank that I would like to move to my new flat. Does anyone have any ideas how I can move it without removing gravel and plants? The lifts stop at my floor at the current flat and the new one, and it *seems* that the tank can be wheeled horizontally into the lift. Any tank movers that do this kind of move?

Thanks.

[dc88]

Not sure if worth th erisk, as a loaded tank (with water and all that) in the move will stress the glass and joints, and you never know will it able to take it.
In my last move 10 years ago I drained all the water and the moving company transfered it with the gravel inside plus the stand.
Probably a good excuse to rescape it.

[michael lai]

Hi Mosfat,
I'm assuming the 3x1.5x1.5 tank is bought off the rack at LFS which means 6mm glass. It'll never be able to hold the contents inside especially with water. A recipe for disaster, my advise is take out everything except the substrate. Good luck.

[bossteck]

I think plants can still survive the move without water for a while.
You can siphon out most fo the water, and just shift the gravel + plants.
It's from trolley (which I suppose you're using) up to lorry (which I assume you're using) that's of concern. The bottom of the tank may crack if there's inbalance anytime during the move.

[eddyq]

Unless your gravel are not expensive stuff, it better to remove everything. A good time for a rescape.

[MosFat]

Thanks for the replies.. I'll probably just have gravel and plants if I attempt the move.

The thing about having to tear down everything is that, I'll probably have to go though the cycling process over again. Rescaping is enjoyable.. but cycling is not.

Looks like the most critical part of the move is when the tank is going on/coming off the lorry. What's needed is a lorry with a lowerable tailgate platform.

[alanyeo99]

moving tank from one house to another... that's a challenging task. Most movers will advise you to remove everything - water, gravel, stones, fishes & plants.

Your main worry is cycling, can be overcome easily lah. I'll assume you are using ext filter! Once you strip your tank, continue to run the filter with a pail of water. This ensures the BB are alive. Stop it only during the transportation process. Once at your new home, repeat same.

Plants can be packed into styrofoam boxes or plastic bags. With a little damped or wet newspaper over it. Avoid contact with blowing winds as they tend to dry out fast. Fishes, depends on what species, best to pack up in plastic bags and pumped with oxygen. Pay LFS a fee to bag them.

[benny]

Can you give more details about your tank specifications in terms ot thickness and the type of support/braces? Also, the thickness of your substrate and if there are any rocks/big drift wood?

Cheers,

[kemp]

would the tank be able to fit into the lift without any tilting? I do foresee some problem on that too.

[ziyao]

never transport a tank with water in it.. it will definitely break due to the stresses oin the joints... empty them and transport seprtely...

[Justikanz]

Just want to share... My 1.5ft tank just sprouted a small leak. The tank was moved around quite a bit with the substrate and some water, in the process of finding the right location for it... I highly suspect the silicon was weakened by the moving with the substrate/water inside...

Maybe you might want to monitor the tank for the next 2 months...

[ziyao]

i think a 1.5f still small enough to move but 3 ft is really too large esp if you are intending to move house .... that requires travelling on the road

[juggler]

Thanks for the replies.. I'll probably just have gravel and plants if I attempt the move.

The thing about having to tear down everything is that, I'll probably have to go though the cycling process over again. Rescaping is enjoyable.. but cycling is not.

Looks like the most critical part of the move is when the tank is going on/coming off the lorry. What's needed is a lorry with a lowerable tailgate platform.

Not necessary a long cycling process. With the amount of fresh bacteria in the substrate and substantial amount of the tank water saved, you can kick start the process very quickly.

When I last did a upgrade from a 2.5ft to 3.5ft tank, I reused the substrate and added a pail or 2 or aged water. I reuse the same unwashed filter; the bacteria kept alive by running the filter with the pails of aged water. The fish were in the tank again 3 days later...