I’m currently away at college and we’re getting our carpet replaced back home, which also includes my bedroom which is where I keep my freshwater aquarium. My tank, it’s stand, and the external canister filter will all have to be moved temporarily (like a couple hours tops) for the new carpet to be put in.
The problem lies in moving the tank itself. My tank holds 36 US gallons, which is a tad over 300 pounds in water alone. Even on the stand, I doubt it can be safely moved, so my dad suggested temporarily draining some of the water, moving the tank in that state, then moving it back and filling it again after the new carpet is installed. In theory it would be like doing a large water change. The thing I’m worried about is the sudden drastic change in water stressing my fish out and killing them. Most of the species I keep are fairly hardy but I’m still concerned about that possibility.
The other idea we had was buying enough clean/aquarium-safe buckets to transfer enough of the water where the tank can be easily/safely moved, then putting the water back in the tank once it’s moved back in after they’re done with the floor. So little to no water is changed.
Not sure how much better this idea would work than the whole “massive water change” idea, if at all, but I’d like some feedback or advice on how to handle this. Wow sorry for the rambling but any help is appreciated ;w;
———————————————————————————————————
@autistic-sariel I’m very sorry, this has apparently been in the inbox for a month and I didn’t realize it. I’m not sure if the issue has already been solved, but if not @connorstomacock may be able to help.
– Dark
A massive water change should be OK as long as you add the new water back slowly.
However, you should NEVER move an aquarium with water in it, that drastically increases the risk of shattering.
Here’s what you do:
1: catch the fish and put them in buckets of tank water, with airstones if it’s going to be more than an hour
2: place your filter media in a bucket of water so it’s oxygenated
3: drain all the water from the aquarium, minus what’s in the gravel. Keep enough of it back, if possible, so that you’ll still have about 50% of the water.
4: Move everything around.
5: When the tank is back in place, put the water back. Make sure the water is the same temperature as in the buckets before adding the fish back.
6: Add the new 50% of water pretty slowly, over the course of an hour or so. Longer if the new water coming in is cold.
7: Replace filter media.
8: Done!
A near-100% water change should be OK if you can’t get enough buckets, as long as you add the water in slowly so they can acclimate, but 50% is better.
BettSplendens Tumblr Evac 