Fish tank move in Exeter
Professional fish tank move services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£210
Typical Duration
2-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Fish tank moved safely to a new location with livestock, water, and equipment all handled carefully. I manage the whole process so your fish stay healthy and your tank gets set up properly in its new home.
Moving House with Fish? Don't Wing It
Here's what goes wrong when people DIY fish tank moves: stressed fish, cracked glass, lost beneficial bacteria, and leaky seals. Your aquarium is a delicate ecosystem in a heavy glass box. One wrong move and you're crying over spilled water (and traumatised tetras).
💡 Pro tip: The tank itself should be moved completely empty. Even an inch of water adds massive weight and risks cracking the glass or busting the seals.
Why This Needs Careful Handling
Fish tank moves aren't like shifting a bookshelf. There's livestock to protect, water chemistry to preserve, and serious weight to manage.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Fish in temporary containers with their own water | Fish in random buckets, stressed and cold |
| Tank moved completely empty | Moved with gravel/water still in (cracked seals) |
| Equipment labelled and carefully packed | Heater smashed, filter media dried out |
| Water chemistry maintained | Fish shocked by 100% new water |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Containers ready, fish caught carefully, water saved |
| Move | Tank emptied, safely transported, positioned in new spot |
| Setup | Equipment reconnected, water treated, fish reintroduced |
📦 You're Left With
- Fish safely back in their tank
- All equipment running properly
- Water temperature and chemistry stable
- Advice on monitoring them over the next few days
Pricing Guide
| Tank Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 100L) | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Medium (100-200L) | 3-3.5 hrs | £160-£185 |
| Large (200-300L) | 4+ hrs | £210+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Extra travel time for long-distance moves may apply.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Moving house - take your aquarium with you stress-free
✅ Redecorating - need the tank out of the way temporarily
✅ Upgrading location - better spot in the house with proper support
✅ Heavy tank - too risky to move yourself (water weighs 1kg per litre!)
Why Choose Us for Fish tank move in Exeter?
Fish kept safe in temporary containers
Water chemistry maintained properly
Heavy lifting done safely
Equipment reconnected and tested
What to Expect
Step 1: Prep & Catch
I arrive with clean containers and start by catching your fish carefully with a net. They go into containers with their own tank water. Heaters and filters get switched off safely.
Step 2: Strip & Move
Water gets siphoned into jerry cans (saving the good stuff), then gravel, plants, and decorations come out. The empty tank gets moved carefully to its new spot - even empty, large tanks are heavy and awkward.
Step 3: Rebuild & Settle
Tank gets set up in the new location, cleaned if needed, then everything goes back in. I reconnect equipment, treat new water if required, check temperatures match, and carefully reintroduce your fish.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fancy doing it yourself? Here's how to not traumatise your fish:
🔧 Kit you'll need
- Large clean containers (food-safe buckets or storage boxes)
- Jerry cans or containers for water
- Fish net
- Siphon tube
- Moving blankets or bubble wrap
- Water conditioner (for any new water)
- Thermometer
🐠 Keeping fish safe
- Don't feed fish 24 hours before the move - less waste in the water
- Catch fish calmly - rushing stresses them more
- Use tank water in their temporary containers
- Keep containers insulated if it's cold
- Minimise their time out of the tank
💧 Preserving your water
- Save at least 30-50% of the tank water
- Store filter media in tank water (never tap water - kills beneficial bacteria)
- Keep filter media wet throughout the move
- Don't clean the filter before moving - you need that bacteria!
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Moving the tank with gravel/water still in it (cracks glass)
- Washing filter media in tap water (chlorine kills good bacteria)
- Putting fish straight into 100% new water (temperature/chemistry shock)
- Forgetting to reconnect heater (temperature crash)
💡 Pro trick: Float the fish containers in the newly filled tank for 15 minutes before releasing them. This lets the temperatures equalise gradually and reduces stress.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐟 Large tank? Anything over 200 litres needs careful planning. I'll assess the route, check the new floor can handle the weight, and may need an extra pair of hands. We'll discuss this when you book.
Moving multiple tanks? Book them together - I'm already set up with containers and equipment, so you'll save time and money doing them in one go.
Older house with narrow stairs or doorways? No problem - I've moved tanks through Victorian terraces in Exeter before. I'll measure up beforehand and work out the best route. Sometimes the tank has to go out a window (which I can arrange), but usually we can navigate it.
New to fishkeeping? I'm happy to give you a quick rundown on maintaining the tank after the move - what to check, how often to test water, when to do the first water change. Just ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you move my fish tank without stressing the fish?
Yes - I use proper temporary containers with the tank's own water, keep temperatures stable, and minimise the time fish are contained. Most fish handle the move fine when it's done properly. I'll also advise on settling them back in afterwards.
Will you move the water too?
Partially - I'll save as much of your established tank water as practical (usually 30-50%) in clean containers. This helps maintain the beneficial bacteria and water chemistry. The rest gets replaced with fresh treated water after the move.
Do I need to empty the tank myself?
No - I handle the whole process. I'll bring containers for the fish, siphon equipment for the water, and carefully remove gravel, plants, and decorations. You just need to tell me where you want it positioned in the new spot.
How long will my fish be out of the tank?
Usually 2-4 hours depending on tank size and distance. I work efficiently to minimise stress. If it's a complex move or large tank, I'll take extra containers so I can get fish back in quicker.
Can you help with really big tanks?
Tanks up to about 300 litres, yes. Anything bigger gets into specialist territory - the weight when even partially full is serious (a 200L tank weighs over 200kg). I'll be honest if yours needs a specialist aquarium mover.
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Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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