Tips for Moving a Reef Aquarium
When it comes to moving, one of the most challenging things to pack and move is the aquarium. Moving a saltwater reef aquarium can be especially tricky. If you have an aquarium, then there are a number of things that you’re going to have to consider and plan for before you begin the packing process. The following are a few tips for moving your reef aquarium:
- Prepare what you need in advance. For example, buy enough salt to make sure you can handle the water change when you arrive at your destination, and make sure it’s easy to access. Get an insulated container large enough for any fish, plants, corals, rocks, etc. to help control water temperature during the move.
- Remove the fish – If you’re moving across town, then putting your fish in holding containers is an option. Keep them in shallow water to allow for more oxygenation. However, the longer the move is, the less likely your fish are to survive. If you are moving long distance, your best bet is to sell or give away your fish and buy new ones when you get to your new home.
- Remove the plant life, corals, and live rock – Like your fish, you’ll want to bag these aquatic life forms in water. As long as they remain wet, they can survive short to moderate length moves. However, for long moves that last more than a day, you should just discard the water and plants.
- Remove the water – Before you can disassemble your tank, you’ll need to remove the water. However, you should preserve some of the water so that you can preserve the bacteria colony. You can only really do this for shorter moves.
- Disassemble the tank – When you take the tank apart, take the time to clean the parts, such as the cleaning pumps, probes, plumbing heating and protein skimmers. You can pack these items like a fragile appliance. Consider writing down all the parts in a checklist to ensure that you aren’t missing parts when you put it back together.
- Choose professional movers with a great reputation. The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home to discover damage to your aquarium.
If you have specific questions, ask the experts at your local aquarium store — and don’t forget to locate a good fish store in your new location. To schedule a move today, be sure to contact us at Dircks Moving & Logistics.
