catcher Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 G'day all, Sometime in the not so distant future I have to empty and house the occupants of my 6x2x2 display tank. The time period they would be homeless is about 2 weeks I would think, I'm getting tiles pulled up and the floor boards below them sanded and polished. I have some questions so I'll be prepared for that time. 1. The largest fish is approx 16cm at the moment, down to fry at about 3.5-4cm, what will be the best tempory holding vessels excluding a normal tank. I was thinking 200 litre plastic drums? Your thoughts/suggestions. 2. To keep the bacteria ticking over from my sump media and so I don't have to go through a full cycle, could I use the filter media as the substrate in the drums? 3. Do you think large sponge filters, air powered or with powerheads would do the job for this short period, if not what? Canisters? 4. Because they are used to a large swimming area, how many fish per holding vessel to prevent carnage if they where in 200 ltr drums. 5. I assume heating would be no different and air wouldn't be a drama is they where sponge filters. All thoughts are appreciated, also have I forgotten anything? cheers glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart74 Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Hello Glenn, If they were going to be homeless for about 2 weeks instead of the 200lt barrels i would think about setting the tank up temporary say in your shed/garage if you had room. I wouldnt go the extreme of adding gravel or decorations but the tank in the shed would mean that your existing filters would remain cycled. Just my 2c Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 If you've got to strip and move the tank, my first thoughts would not be what temporary holding facilities can I keep the inhabitants, but where temporally can I move the tank to hold the fish. Even if this is outside. Years ago, I over filled a 400l tank, and caused a mini tidal wave to sweep across my lounge room (rented) carpeted floor. I stripped the tank, moved it no further than a meter, outside the doors to a veranda. It stayed there while I lifted, dried, and relaid the carpet, then moved the tank back. All the fish got was a tank with a view for a bit. As a side point, the carpet was cleaner where it had been wet…. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catcher Posted September 20, 2004 Author Share Posted September 20, 2004 Thanks Stuart and Craig, So, do you mean drain the water, and put the fish into holding drums, move the tank/cabinet as a whole unit to another spot, put water and fish back in for the time? Sorry if I sound a little dumb, it's the first time I've had to think about moving a big unit like this. I should keep at least 2/3rds of the original water as a full water change would not be a good thing, in terms of stress and bacteria loss? glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 G'day Catcher You are spot on now. Try and save as much water in the move as possible (60%+ will be just fine). A 200 liter drum is an excellent way of doing this. Place the fish into some large plastic tubs whilst moving the tank. Resetup the tank and hook up their normal filtration. Your fish will be happy with the new view and you can take your time getting the job done properly. PS. Make sure you keep as much bacteria alive as possible, (in the filter and in the substrate/rocks/ornaments etc). I am sure if you follow all of the advice given in this thread you should minimal problems, if any at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart74 Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Yep you are spot on its certainly going to be a big job but alot safer than holding lots of fish in big tubs for long periods of time. One thing to remember would be is there is going to be a fair bit of Dust flying around with all the works you are planning I'm getting tiles pulled up and the floor boards below them sanded and polished so you will need to keep that in mind when you re-position your tank as the fish will be under enough stress as it is. I would also reccomend not feeding them for 24-48 hours before the move and also keeping the lights off for awhile to help reduce stress. Good luck Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 That’s a good point. When the floor is sealed, the fumes are poisonous to fish. I have a friend who had his fish in the garage, the roof of which was the floor to his house. When he had his floors sanded and sealed, the fumes managed to go through the wood, and kill hundreds of young calvis. Locate your tank away from this area, and as I said even outside would be okay (cover with plasitic to protect the woodwork), to be away from the fumes. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catcher Posted September 21, 2004 Author Share Posted September 21, 2004 Thanks guys, I didn't think of that! glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeyBoyR Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Wow thats some great advice! I always wondered how people handle moving tanks etc. One thing that DID occur to me during this thread, is, how do people have tanks when they rent? How can you move a tank, filters, fish etc. to another house without having to cycle etc. all over again OR, even worse, without everything dropping dead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart74 Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 how do people have tanks when they rent? How can you move a tank, filters, fish etc. to another house without having to cycle etc. all over again OR, even worse, without everything dropping dead? With the greatest of difficulty i couldnt even begin to imagine what a nightmare it would be moving multiple tanks all at once Cheers Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Ihave a queery about this move the tank/cabinet as a whole unit to another spot, if it is a wooded display cabinet? I would move them as seperate items, get a few of your buddies over to lend a hand, plan the move well and then act. lift tank to a temporry location, strong table, saw horses etc being carful that they are smooth, nothing to injure the tank then relocate the stand, ensuring levelness etc, even though it is tep just as important relocate tank on stand, if you cant save enought water remeber if you match what you do save, it will be a 50% water change, you dont need to fill the tank all th eway up if you dont have enough water after you drain the water to a tub/bucket for the fish remeber th filter will have to be kept damp so that any biofilms dont dry out and die or put the media in a bucket of the tank water + airstone until you get the filter going again have fun..my 6x2x2 has a steel stand,+ 2 3 footers under it... i emptied it, removed the BIG rocks, and jacked up one end, added a set of $10 wheels, put my trolly jack under the other end and towed it to the garage via the kitchen, ~ 10meters, and 1 step, took about an hour, but did it by myself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catcher Posted September 22, 2004 Author Share Posted September 22, 2004 G'day Mic, Yeah, that word "step" worries me, I've got four to negotiate! cheers glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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