Removal companies can usually move an empty, drained fish tank and potted plants, but live fish and animals are normally moved by the owner. Prepare fish, tanks and plants separately and keep transit times short. This guide explains what to expect, how to prepare and what K2 will and will not take.
A fish tank is one of the more nerve-racking things to move. It is heavy when it is full, fragile when it is empty and home to living creatures the whole time. Large plants are less dramatic, but they are just as easy to damage, and just as awkward to carry through a narrow hall.
We move households across Southampton and Hampshire, and tanks, plants and other unusual items come up regularly. This guide explains what to expect when moving a fish tank and large plants, what removal companies will and will not move, how to prepare and what to do at the new home. Policies vary between companies, and we say plainly where you should check with yours, and with us.
Will a removal company move a fish tank or plants?
Often, yes, for an empty, drained tank and for potted plants, but live fish and animals are normally moved by the owner. Companies differ, and a tank is not like other furniture, so ask before you book. Tell us about the size of the tank, whether it is glass or acrylic, whether it is on a stand or a unit and where it is in the house, and we will confirm what we can do.
We have not made any promises here about specific items. We would rather look at your tank and your plants when you ask for a quote, and tell you honestly what is possible.
Moving a fish tank
Guidance from ReallyMoving, a UK moving advice site, says never to move a tank with water in it, and never with fish inside. In practice, that means you need to plan the order carefully.
- Do not feed your fish for about 24 hours before the move, as ReallyMoving suggests, and switch off the heater and filter in good time.
- Catch the fish, and put them in suitable containers with some of the tank water, as described below.
- Drain the tank, keeping as much of the water as you can in clean containers.
- Remove decorations, gravel and equipment, and pack them separately.
- Wrap the tank carefully, with padding on the glass and corners, and never lift it by the top rim.
Filter media is worth looking after. It holds beneficial bacteria that help the tank work, so keep it damp, in a container with some tank water, and set it up again as soon as you can. Pack the stand or cabinet separately, and take care with the tank's glass, which is fragile and heavy.
Moving fish
Live fish should travel with you, not in the lorry. ReallyMoving's guidance suggests filling bags or containers with about a third of tank water, using a container with a lid because fish can jump, and using a battery-powered air pump on longer journeys. Keep the containers out of direct sun, and keep the trip as short as you can.
- Use sturdy containers, and keep them upright and secure in the car.
- Keep them out of heat and cold. Temperature swings can harm fish.
- Set up the tank first at the new home, so the fish can go in as soon as it is ready.
- If you are worried, ask a local fish shop for advice. Staff there are usually experienced at packing and transporting fish.
This is general advice only, and every species is different. We are not fish specialists, so check the needs of your own fish with a specialist supplier, a fishkeeping society or your vet.
Moving large plants
Large plants are easier to move than fish, but they are fragile in a different way. Leaves, stems and roots all damage easily, and plants can be sensitive to cold, heat and being shut in a dark vehicle.
- Water the plant a day or two before, not on the day, so the soil is damp but not soaking.
- Pot it in a sturdy container, and support tall stems with stakes or soft ties.
- Wrap lightly, or use a box, so leaves are protected without being crushed.
- Keep plants upright in the vehicle, and away from heavy items.
- Think about the weather. In cold weather, protect them from frost. In hot weather, do not leave them in a closed vehicle for long.
Some removal companies will not move plants, because of the risk of damage and mess, or because of the time they spend in transit. Ask us about your plants when you get a quote, and we will say what we can do. Outdoor plants and garden pots, especially large ones, can be heavy, so tell us about them in advance.
If you have a large or unusual tank, such as a marine setup, a very big aquarium or one built into a wall unit, tell us early, and consider asking an aquarium specialist to move it. Specialists know how to move the tank, the equipment and the fish, and they can set it up again at the new home, which is often the safer choice for valuable or delicate livestock.
Setting up at the new home
Set up the tank first, before anything else in the room. Put it on a level, stable, suitable surface, fill it with the saved water, add the decorations and equipment and switch on the filter and heater as the manufacturer advises. Let the temperature settle before you add the fish, then add them gently, and do not feed them for a while.
Be patient. A tank may take time to settle after a move, and it is worth watching the fish closely for the first few days. Put plants in a spot with the right light, water them lightly and give them time to adjust.
Summary
- Confirm K2's policy on tanks, fish and plants first.
- Live fish travel with you.
- Prepare plants and tanks separately.
- Keep transit times short.
FAQs
Often, if it is empty and drained, but policies vary. Tell us about your tank when you ask for a quote, including its size, type and where it is, and we will confirm what we can do.
No. ReallyMoving's guidance is never to move a tank with water or fish in it. Fish should travel with you, in suitable containers.
Sometimes, but it varies. Ask us about your plants when you get a quote, and tell us the size and number.
They need protecting from crushing, cold and heat. Pot them securely, support tall stems and keep them upright in the vehicle.
You can, with care. Protect them from frost, keep the journey short and do not leave them in a cold vehicle. Ask a garden centre or plant specialist about your own plants.
One Last Thought
Moving a fish tank or plants in Southampton or Hampshire? Call K2 Swift Removals on 023 8111 3116 or 07356 097791, tell us what you have and we will give you a straight, free quote.
