Safe Moving and Packing Procedures for Fish Tanks and Aquariums

Moving your fish and their home aquarium can seem daunting and stressful, especially if you are making a long-distance move. Special handling and care of your pet fish is necessary when moving homes, especially since fish are known for becoming distressed in new environments. However, with the proper planning you can ensure that your fish tank will remain intact and that your water creatures are happy in their new home just like you and your family. Follow these packing procedures for moving a fish tank to your new home from your Salt Lake City movers at All My Sons Moving & Storage.

Gather Packing Products

The first step in packing up your fish tank is to purchase the proper packing products. Having the appropriate supplies will help the process go quickly and smoothly. You will need a net, 5-gallon buckets, plastic bags, and bucket covers. The buckets will be used for your fish to travel in when the move occurs. You will also need to get your hands on the typical packing products such as packing paper, bubble wrap, big boxes, and insulating foam sheets.

Preparing your Fish for the Move

You will need to disassemble your aquarium last when packing and reassemble it first right when you move into your new space. The goal is for your fish to spend less time in crowded containers with the possibility of poor water conditions. You should take as much original water from your fish tank as possible. When you move to a new city, the water quality and chemistry are going to be different than what your fish are accustomed to and slowly introducing the new water to their tank will reduce discomfort.

Before you disassemble your aquarium, make sure you remove everything from the tank including gravel, pumps, and fake plants. You should wrap these items in blankets or towels. This will allow you to prevent the aquarium from shattering during relocation. Once everything is wrapped securely, pack it into a moving box.

Right before your move, you should place your fish and aquarium plants in the 5-gallon buckets with two-thirds of the way filled with original aquarium water. Depending on the kind of fish you have and the amount will determine how you should split them up in the buckets. If you are using lids for your buckets, be sure to create small holes so air can circulate. Lids will help to prevent the water from splashing during travel.

When you arrive to your new home, the first task you should do is set up your aquarium and pour the fish and water from the buckets into it. Immediately search for the right area that is near an electrical outlet and water source. Plug in your heaters, filters, and pumps right away to get your fish back to their comfortable environment as soon as possible.

While moving a fish tank can seem intimidating, we hope these packing procedures and safe moving tips from your Salt Lake City movers will help you and your fish experience a smooth transition into your new home.