About This Service
Aquarium Moving and Relocation
Moving a fish tank is one of the most stressful parts of moving home. A removal company will not touch it. You cannot move it with water inside. The fish need somewhere safe to go. The filter has to stay wet or the bacterial colony dies and the tank has to cycle all over again. Most people only realise how complicated it is when they are already in the middle of a house move with a hundred other things to deal with. AquariumCraft provides a dedicated aquarium moving and relocation service across North West London. We handle the full job from start to finish. We drain the tank properly, keep the filter media alive, transport the fish safely, move the tank and all equipment to your new address and reinstall everything so it is up and running again as quickly as possible. We work with all types of setup. Small tropical tanks, large freshwater systems, marine and reef tanks, planted aquascapes. Each one has different requirements during a move and we treat them accordingly. If you are moving home or office anywhere across Harrow, Barnet, Wembley, Finchley, Brent, Stanmore or the wider North West London area and you have a fish tank to move, get in touch before your moving date and we will take it off your list entirely.
What's Included on Every Visit
Pre-move consultation to plan the relocation properly
Safe draining of the tank with enough water retained to keep fish and bacteria alive during transport
Fish and livestock carefully bagged and oxygenated for transport
Filter media stored correctly in tank water to preserve the beneficial bacterial colony
Full dismantling of the tank, equipment, cabinet and stand
Safe transportation of tank, equipment and livestock to the new address
Reinstallation of tank, cabinet, filtration, heating and lighting at the new property
Refilling with retained and fresh dechlorinated water
Full water parameter test after reinstallation
Fish and livestock reintroduced safely once conditions are confirmed stable
Who This Service Suits
This service works well for a wide range of fish keepers across North West London.
People Moving House
You cannot take the tank with water or fish inside it and you do not have time to deal with it on moving day. We come in before the move date and handle the full job.
Same Property Moves
Moving the tank to a different room for a renovation or to a new extension. The same risks apply as a full house move and we handle it with exactly the same care.
Marine and Reef Tank Owners
Saltwater relocations need careful planning around chemistry and coral. We handle marine moves with the additional time and care they require.
Businesses Relocating
Commercial premises moving to a new address with an aquarium on site. We work around commercial moving schedules and carry out relocations outside normal business hours if needed.
How It Works
Contact Us Before Your Moving Date
Get in touch as early as possible before your moving date. The more notice we have the better. We ask about the tank size, the type of setup, what livestock you keep and the distance between the two properties. We plan the move based on that information and give you a fixed price.
We Drain and Pack Everything
On the day we arrive at the original address first. We drain the tank keeping enough water to maintain the fish and preserve the filter bacteria. Fish are bagged and oxygenated. Equipment is disconnected, labelled and packed carefully. The tank and cabinet are moved securely to the vehicle.
Reinstallation at the New Address
At the new property we reinstall everything in the agreed position. We refill the tank using the retained water topped up with fresh dechlorinated water, reconnect all equipment and run a full parameter test before the fish go back in.
We Confirm Everything Is Stable
We stay until we are satisfied the tank is stable and running correctly. You receive a written summary of the move including the parameter readings taken after reinstallation. We do not leave until we are confident the livestock are safe and the equipment is working as it should.
Transparent Pricing
Simple, Fixed Pricing. No Hidden Charges.
Aquarium moving and relocation is priced based on the size of the tank, the type of setup, the distance between the two properties and whether any stairs or access restrictions are involved at either address. As a guide, relocations within North West London for standard freshwater tanks typically start from £120. Marine and reef tank relocations and larger systems are priced individually based on the complexity involved. We give you a fixed price after a brief conversation about the tank and the move. There are no additional charges on the day unless something arises that was not discussed beforehand, and we would always tell you about that in advance.
Get Your FREE QuoteFrom
£120
Per Visit
No call-out fees
No hidden charges
Discount for regular scheduled visits
Larger tanks and marine systems quoted individually
Fixed price agreed before every visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Can removal companies move a fish tank?
Standard removal companies will not move a fish tank with water or livestock inside it. They are not equipped to handle live animals or to manage the risks involved in moving a large glass tank. Even if a removal company agrees to take an empty tank, the fish, filter media and water all need separate careful handling that requires specific knowledge. Using a specialist service is the only way to move a tank without putting the livestock and the biological filter at serious risk.
Will my tank need to cycle again after the move?
Not if the move is handled correctly. The key is keeping the filter media wet in tank water throughout the move. The beneficial bacteria that process ammonia and nitrite live in the filter media and they die quickly if the media dries out or is rinsed in tap water. We store and transport the filter media correctly so the bacterial colony survives the move. We test the water after reinstallation to confirm parameters are stable before the fish go back in.
How long will the fish be out of the tank during the move?
For most relocations within North West London the fish are out of the main tank for a few hours. We bag and oxygenate them properly for transport so they are safe for that duration. For longer distance moves or particularly sensitive livestock such as large koi, discus or coral, we plan the move more carefully and may use larger transport containers with additional aeration. We discuss this with you in advance for any setup where we think it matters.
Can you move a marine or reef tank?
Yes. Marine and reef tank relocations require more careful planning than freshwater moves because saltwater chemistry and coral are more sensitive to disruption. We keep the salinity stable throughout the move, transport coral in separate lidded containers with saltwater, and take extra care with any sensitive livestock. Marine relocations take longer and are priced to reflect the additional care involved. Get in touch with details about your setup and we will put together a plan for the move.
Do you move tanks within the same property as well as between addresses?
Yes. Moving a tank from one room to another, or repositioning it within the same room, carries the same risks as a full relocation and we handle it in exactly the same way. The tank needs to be drained, the fish need to be contained safely, and the filter media needs to be kept wet throughout. We carry out within-property moves regularly, including situations where a tank needs to come out of a room for a renovation and go back in afterwards.