Summary: Moving an aquarium is a delicate task, because it is heavy and fragile, and at the same time serves as the habitat for fish and plants. A move can cause a lot of stress due to changes in water, temperature, and environment. Moving it yourself is possible, but requires thorough preparation, such as temporarily relocating the fish, draining the water, and protecting the aquarium. Large aquariums or challenging situations may require additional equipment, such as a moving lift. By hiring a professional moving company, you reduce the risk of damage and ensure a safe, stress-free move.

Moving an aquarium is a special task. Not only is it heavy and fragile, but it’s also home to your fish, plants, and other aquatic animals. Of course, you want everything to remain intact, but it’s just as important that your animals are moved safely and without stress.

Moving can be very stressful for fish: changes in the water, unexpected movements, or a new environment can upset them. However, with the right preparation and care, you can protect their well-being as much as possible.

Whether you plan to move the aquarium yourself or would rather hire a professional, it’s important to know what’s involved. In this article, we’ll explain how to move an aquarium safely so your fish and plants can explore their new home in a healthy and stress-free way.

Moving an aquarium yourself: should you or shouldn’t you?

Moving an aquarium might seem like something you can do on your own, but it’s a lot more complicated than it looks. It’s not just about the heavy glass and the water, but above all about the well-being of your fish and other inhabitants. Sudden movements, too much stress, or the wrong approach can cause your fish to get sick or even die.

In addition, an aquarium is fragile: glass can break, filters and pumps can be damaged, and plants can tear or break. Moving it down a flight of stairs or through a narrow passageway increases the risk of accidents even further.

Oomen Verhuizers has experience moving delicate items such as aquariums. Using the right techniques and tools, we ensure that both the aquarium and its inhabitants arrive safely and undamaged at their new location.

If you still want to try it yourself, it’s absolutely essential to plan carefully in advance, find a safe temporary home for the animals, and use the right tools. Without proper preparation, you run the risk of damaging the aquarium and harming your fish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Moving an Aquarium Yourself

  1. Preparation of the animals
  • Fish and other aquarium inhabitants: Temporarily place your fish in a suitable fish tank, bucket, or transport container filled with water from the aquarium. If necessary, add some water from their current environment to reduce stress.
  • Plants and decorations: Remove plants, rocks, wood, and other decorations from the aquarium to prevent damage and make it easier to transport.
  1. Water and Equipment
  • Lower the water level: Leave some of the water in the aquarium, but remove enough to reduce the weight and make transport safer.
  • Disconnect equipment: disconnect filters, heating elements, lights, and air pumps. Pack these separately, preferably with protective material such as bubble wrap.

  1. Protecting the Aquarium
  • Protecting the glass: Wrap the aquarium in moving blankets, bubble wrap, or foam wrap to prevent scratches and breakage.
  • Stability: Secure the aquarium with straps or sturdy tape so that it cannot slide or tip over during transport.

  1. Transportation
  • Keep it upright: An aquarium must always be transported upright. Transporting it on its side can cause the glass to break or the aquarium to leak.
  • Moving heavy items: Use a hand truck or furniture dolly, and make sure at least two people help lift and maneuver the item through narrow spaces or up stairs.

  1. At the new location
  • Setup: Place the aquarium on a flat, sturdy surface and make sure it is stable.
  • Refilling the water: Slowly add water again and check the temperature and pH to avoid stressing the inhabitants.
  • Connecting equipment: Reinstall the filters, heater, and other equipment. Allow the system to run gradually so that the fish are not suddenly exposed to new water currents or temperature changes.
  • Returning fish to their tank: Slowly return the fish to their tank and observe them for the first few hours or days to see if they are recovering well from the move.

An aquarium is often a valuable and fragile item, but above all, it’s the home of your fish and plants. It would therefore be a shame if your aquarium or its inhabitants were to get damaged or stressed during the move! We therefore recommend that you don’t move your aquarium yourself, but instead hire professional movers. Do you have questions about how Oomen Movers can help you safely move your aquarium? Feel free to contact us and let our experienced movers do the work for you, so that everything arrives safely and stress-free at your new location.

How much water should I remove from the aquarium for transport?

It’s a good idea to remove a large portion of the water from the aquarium, both to reduce its weight and to minimize the risk of leaks. Usually, leave 20–30% of the water in the tank to maintain the biological balance and micro-organisms, especially during longer moves. You can use the remaining water to temporarily house fish and plants, so they experience less stress. Make sure to cover the water securely and keep it stable during transport.

How can I move a large aquarium through a narrow doorway or down a narrow staircase?

For large or wide aquariums, this is one of the biggest challenges. Often, the aquarium won’t fit through narrow doorways or stairwells without some adjustments. Use professional equipment for this, such as a moving lift or a hand truck. Always lift the aquarium with two or more people and protect it with moving blankets or bubble wrap to prevent scratches and breakage. In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily remove glass panels or disassemble part of the aquarium. Professional movers have experience with these situations and can move the aquarium safely and efficiently.

Moving an Aquarium with a Moving Lift

Moving a large or heavy aquarium can be quite a challenge, especially in homes with narrow staircases, high floors, or difficult passageways. A moving lift offers the ideal solution for this. With a moving lift, the aquarium can be moved up or down through a window or balcony, without having to carry it down stairs or through narrow hallways.

This not only reduces the physical strain, but also minimizes the risk of damage to both the aquarium glass and the walls or floors. When combined with tools such as moving blankets, straps, and a hand truck, the transport process is controlled and safe. This ensures your aquarium arrives at its new location without any mishaps.

Using a moving lift also saves time and energy, and provides extra assurance that everything will go smoothly. For added peace of mind, you can also take advantage of insurance coverage for your household goods during transport, so that your aquarium is fully covered against any damage.

Aquarium Relocation with Storage

Sometimes it’s not possible to move an aquarium directly to your new home. For example, if the move-in dates for your old and new homes don’t align, or if there’s temporarily no place to set up the aquarium. In such cases, professional storage is a convenient solution.

When storing an aquarium, it must be properly prepared: empty, clean, and completely dry, to prevent mold growth or unpleasant odors. Fish and plants must be temporarily placed in separate, safe containers. A storage area must be dry, clean, and well-ventilated to ensure the quality of the aquarium and the health of its inhabitants.

Once the aquarium is taken out of storage, it’s important to let it stand upright for a few hours before refilling it and returning the fish. This allows any decorations or equipment that may have shifted to settle back into place, ensuring that the transport process is as stress-free as possible for your aquarium and its inhabitants.

Let us safely move your aquarium

An aquarium is heavy, fragile, and, above all, home to your fish and plants. Moving it therefore requires experience, precision, and the right tools. By hiring professional movers, you can be sure that the aquarium and its inhabitants will arrive safely and undamaged at their new location. Oomen Verhuizers has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to ensure that the transport goes smoothly and is handled with care. This makes the move not only safer but also much less stressful for both you and your fish. Feel free to contact us to discuss your options.