How to Move a fully planted tank?

**bigfthing** · 10th Apr 2010, 17:16

Advises needed from experienced Aquarist on tearing down a 4 feet tank & moving over to a new place. Will be very appreciated if anyone can share with me on how to tips! What are the things to look out for?
Aquarium had mainly plants & some shrimps & fishes. I know i will need to empty all those plants & livings first but do i just pull all the plants out? I also need to empty all the water so that the tank is lighter right? Do i just leave the soil in? Do i need to change the soil?(is 2 yrs old) I know what to do with the filter already. I will be topping new water at the new place, can i house back the occupants in the new water immediately? 100% water will be new but filter is established! What else do i need to be aware of??? Please advise...

**bluebubbles** · 11th Apr 2010, 16:19

I would have done this if I were to move house.

Slowly Take out all my aqua plants first - initally water will become murky due to the stirring of subtrate. After a couple hours, the water will become clear again. Put the tank water in a pail (for your fauna). By now it will be clearer to see and catch your shrimps/fish without the hindrance of plants.

Once the tank is emptied without the flora and fauna, you can than decide how you want to shift your empty tank. If your substrates still look new, you might want to scoop it out and put in a plastic bag after drying your substrate. It makes your tank lighter to carry. My 2cts worth of view.

**bigfthing** · 14th Apr 2010, 19:53

Thanks for your Advise bluebubbles! Do we need tp wash the soil? I know we don't wash new ones but these are used?

**bluebubbles** · 16th Apr 2010, 13:04

Originally Posted by bigfthing

Thanks for your Advise bluebubbles! Do we need tp wash the soil? I know we don't wash new ones but these are used?

While your used soils are still in the tank, you might just want to pour in clean water to rinse it before siphoned out the murky water (do this only when you have taken out all your fishes/shrimps). You do not need to wash them thoroughly because there are nutrients in used soil and probably Beneficial Bacteria helpful for your new tank recycling process. I usually put the used (fertilised) soil at the bottom and have the new soil laid on top. However, be reminded that while you are drying your used soil it smells like chicken dung...hahaha

or you can straight away transfer to your new tank without drying if you do not mind the water dripping during the moving process.

**bigfthing** · 16th Apr 2010, 13:51

Yup they really stinks! Thanks again for your help!

**Sword** · 16th Apr 2010, 14:02

Are your tank with "Iron stand" or "Cabinet". If iron stand, you can empty the water first, take out any rocks, ask four person using two trolly to shift at both end. No need to take out the soil.