Moving a MBU

[clareanded]

Our MBU is currently in a 200l tank which before everyone tells me is way too small but was an short term measure at the time. He is around 18 months old and just under 7" and I am planning to transfer him to a much larger tank in the coming months.

I just wanted to get people opinions on the practicalities of actually catching him and moving him to the new tank. To make life more complicated the new tank is going to be situated where his current tank is so there will be two moves involved. Moving him and his tank to another location and then moving him back when the filter(s) on the new tank are cycled. There are 4 of us doing the first move so I can minimise the time that he's in-between tanks.

I know netting puffers is a no no but have read about using specimin containers, are these an option and if so can I buy one big enough? If not I was planning to triple bag him, then place that in a paper bag to reduce stress and put that in a polystyrene box is reduce heat loss.

Any thoughts?

[staindsk1n]

when i have moved my mbu in the past i always just scooped him up in a bucket, he seemed okay with this and i have done this a couple of times now when moving home then moving him into his bigger tank. he did not puff or seem to panicked by this as it was dark inside the bucket and he just sat in the bottom. he was about 9" when i done this aswell.

[clareanded]

That's interesting, I never thought of doing that. I'd need a small bucket as the 10l and 15l ones I have wouldn't fit into the tank. I guess I could then transfer him from the small bucket into a much bigger one while he waits.....

[manutius]

If you struggle fitting a bucket into the tank you could try using a large bag, the type they use for pond fish from your LFS. What you do is hold the bag open under the water and then follow the Mbu into a corner of the tank, they will turn and swim between your hands and into the bag. You can then lift them out the tank, therefore no need to struggle with dipping buckets in the water, the puffer will be less stressed by this as they cannot see the bag. Once lifted from the water you can transfer him to a large plastic tub until ready to move into the new large tank.

Good luck, let us know how it goes

[staindsk1n]

my mbu did not get stressed by the bucket...i lowered the water right down in the tank and laid it on the floor and he swam into it, when i lifted the bucket out ( the bucket was black ) he was in darkness so as i said before he just sat in the bottom, the second time i done it i didnt even have to lower the water and he just went in.......no bother at all. To me that seems more sensible than trying to chase him around with a huge bag inside the water as there not the easiest things to keep open but this is only my opinion. My baby porcupine was the funniest ever.....he is so friendly and always at the front of the tank, i had a small bowl and went up to glass...he was going mad at the front as he does showing off to me and i just scooped him up from behind. He had no clue what was happening until it was to late!!!

[manutius]

aaah yes now a back bucket would work well I have a blue one and Clooney used to back away from it all the time!!! I love the idea of fooling the porc though

[clareanded]

Just an update! Successfully moved Moobo over the weekend. Caught him fairly easily in the bucket and he was calm as you like. In fact when I went to put him back into the tank once it had been moved he wanted to stay in the bucket and kept swimming backwards into it!!

Got a 6 x 2 x 2 tank & cabinet on order and should arrive in a fortnight! Just got to buy an FX5, lighting, heater and new Decor then I can get that up and running and hope to move him across in 2-3 months once mature enough.

Ed

[cobra1713]

awesome, might i suggest putting some media from your old tank on the new one, once it arrives to speed it up. works really well if your old tank had two filters then you can place one of the old filters on the new tank and it cycles the new tank very quickly.

just not all the media from the old tank cus then your old one will (or could) lose it cycle.

anyway just an idea but good to hear he's getting a larger home just make sure your watching nitrates.

[Mareva]

You might want to read the article about fishless cycling in the library, it would take you less time to cycle than 2-3 month and your Mbu could be in his new home sooner!
Another thing to do is have both filters (from the current and the new tank) running in the current tank. Both of them will gather bacterias. Then you can just put the 2 filters in the new tank at the same time as your Mbu and your tank will be instantly cycled. Quite an easy way to do this really!

Good luck!

[crazedpuffer]

awesome, might i suggest putting some media from your old tank on the new one, once it arrives to speed it up. works really well if your old tank had two filters then you can place one of the old filters on the new tank and it cycles the new tank very quickly.

just not all the media from the old tank cus then your old one will (or could) lose it cycle.

anyway just an idea but good to hear he's getting a larger home just make sure your watching nitrates.

Adding all the media would work fine. There'd still be so much bacteria on the substrate, glass, and decor that there'd be no problem.

[cobra1713]

oh well then even better just change both filters and basically instant cycle but i wouldnt put mbu in right away, i eould use another form of amonia to test and make sure its cycled, maybe food in a sock. that way if the food dies its not a big deal. (yes i meant dead food and i know its already dead)

[clareanded]

Cheers for the replies. I put 2-3 months as I still need to save up for and buy the required equipment. I am running an internal and external filter on his current tank and had planned to move the internal one across to speed up the cycling process. I will provide an update (with pictures) once the new tank is ready

[manutius]

COOL NEWS

[clareanded]

Just another update as the move is STILL taking shape!

I have a 6' x 2' x 2' setup now and an FX5 is cycling using media from the current tank. Sand substrate is in and the lighting rig arrives tomorrow. All that is left is decor and plants then finally I can move the guy across!!

Just wanted to keep updating this to show others that these fish (as amazing as they are) are a huge committment but worth every single penny!!

More to follow soon with pics hopefully, just waiting for pay day

[edmlfc1]

That's great news. My new tank will be here in another week or two. I can't wait. Please don't forget to post pictures after the move. I think I will be using the bucket thing to move Elvis. He's about 10" right now. My son and his girlfriend are coming to help. My tank is saltwater, but I hope things go as easy as your did. I have moved done moves before on fw but this will be my first sw move. I'm a little nervous.