The odissey of moving fish and filters to a bigger tank

[Joao M]

Hi

As I mentioned in another post I was in the process of changing aquáriums. Basically traded a 4x2x2,5´ (120x60x75cms) for a 6´8"x2x2´ (200x60x60cms).
However there was two important issues in this move: 1- the bigger tank was running (at a friend´s house) with a few datnoids in it; 2 - the new tank was going to the exact place where the old one was...

This is a summary of what I did, hoping it may be helpful for someone in the future.

Day 1. friday afternoon
- picked up the canisters/filters of the new tank;
- took the datnoids to a "foster home" for the weekend;
- set the canisters in my kitchen running in buckets to "keep them alive";

a pic with the 2 filters: a "brandless" (chinese) for small ponds with a 4.500 lts/1.250USgallon per h pump and a Eheim 2260


here in detail

Day 2. Saturday (morning)
- took the RTG arowana from my old tank into a Ikea black 150lts (41gall) plastic box set with water, a Eheim 2250, heater and air pump also taken from her old tank;

- put the 12 clown loaches, the modesta loach and the fire ell in an empty 55 gallon tank with water, a filter and heater from their old tank
- removed the remaining water and sand rom my old tank (that was being picked up by its new owner the same morning)


Sat afternoon:
- picked up my new tank, put it in place and washed it;
- put the 50kgs of old sand + 25 kgs of new sand and decor;

- filled it up with part new and part old water (to avoid a chloramine spike)
- installing the canisters (lots of water on the floor...)


Day 3: Sunday
- tunning
- picked up the datnoids from their foster home and introduced them in the tank (only kept 3 of them)

After lots of cleaning and a considerable amount of pain (my back are still killing me...) I can say that...IT´S DONE
and at least up to the moment, all the fish are doing well (the most important).

some bad pics of the outcome (sorry for the dirty glass)

[glenna]

WOW, my back hurts and I did nothing but read this post!!!!

That arowana is quite beast! I'll bet she is a powerful fish. IT sounds like you were really organized and thoughtful on how you did this move.
...and your new tank is really pretty!!

[Joao M]

Thanks Glenna.
This aro is quite a beast for sure. 5 years old and around 20".
I also hae this one in my place (in another tank):

[redshark1]

bEAUTIFUL fish and aquarium.

But, where are the loaches?

And learn to look after your back (new ones will be expensive when they invent them ). I have sympathy there being an old guy!

[Joao M]

bEAUTIFUL fish and aquarium.

But, where are the loaches?

And learn to look after your back (new ones will be expensive when they invent them ). I have sympathy there being an old guy!

Thanks.

the loaches are ...somewhere...out there....
Usually under the logs on the right side of the aquarium. The come out in mornings and evenings to eat and cruise the tank

As regards my back, I´m an old guy myself so thanks for the sympathy. But what has to be done...