How long can fish survive in a transport bag?

That depends on the fish species, amount of water and temperature; the shorter, the better. On longer journeys, oxygen in the bag and an insulated polystyrene box that holds the temperature help. So drive the fish yourself and directly, rather than taking them along on a long moving day in the lorry. Plan the journey so that the tank is already standing at the destination and can be filled.

What happens to the substrate when moving an aquarium?

The substrate contains bacteria that clear the water biologically. During an aquarium move you take it out of the tank, keep it moist and transport it in sealed buckets. This way the tank cycles again more quickly at the new location; you should still check the water values over the first few days.

How do I transport my terrarium safely?

Reptiles travel with you in the car in well-ventilated, escape-proof transport boxes , depending on the species with a heat source or damp cloths. The terrarium is empty; pack the furnishings, lamps and equipment individually. We transport the empty terrarium padded with the rest of the removal goods; we secure glass panes and lamps against slipping.

Can I leave my reptiles in the terrarium during the move?

No, for a safe reptile move the animals belong in their own transport boxes, not in the terrarium. There, stones, branches or roots could shift and injure the animals, and the temperature is easier to maintain in a small box. The empty terrarium travels separately and padded.

How do I avoid stressing fish during the move?

Stress is caused above all by temperature fluctuations, vibrations and long journeys. So transport the fish in an insulated box in your own car, directly to the new tank. At the destination, slowly match the temperature of the bag water before the fish go into the tank.

Can the aquarium come along on a long-distance move?

Yes, the empty tank, the base cabinet and the equipment travel with the rest of your removal goods, including on a long-distance move from Berlin. You take the fish in your own car; over very long distances it may make more sense to leave them temporarily in good hands. Plan for the tank to be set up first at the destination.

What does a move with an aquarium and terrarium cost?

The costs depend on the size and weight of the empty tank, the base cabinet, the floor and the route. After a survey, or based on dimensions and photos, we quote a fixed price that lists the tank, base cabinet and equipment. Call us on 01625978461.

How long does it take for the aquarium to stabilise again after the move?

That depends on how much of the old water, substrate and filter material was preserved. With a moist filter and old water, the tank usually stabilises more quickly than after a complete restart; you should still measure the water values over the first few days, feed sparingly and watch the fish's behaviour.

Can aquarium plants move too?

Yes, aquarium plants can move too, as long as they stay moist and are not out of the water for too long. Pack them in bags with aquarium water and take them yourself – as with animals, a removal company is not liable for plants. Replant them at the new location as soon as possible.

What do I do with larger terrarium inhabitants such as snakes?

Larger snakes need particularly sturdy, securely lockable transport boxes with adequate ventilation. Watch the temperature during the journey and never leave the box in a parked car. Also check whether your species is subject to a notification requirement; if so, report the new location to the competent authority.

Who is liable for the tank and animals during the move?

For the tank, base cabinet and equipment, we as the removal company are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre of cargo space. A removal company is not liable for live animals and plants under § 451d HGB – that is why you transport them yourself. More under private move .

STRESS-FREE MOVING

Moving with an aquarium and terrarium

Moving with an aquarium and terrarium: transport the tank empty, drive the animals yourself, pack the equipment safely.

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FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

Aquarium & terrarium

Moving with an aquarium & terrarium: animals in the car, tank in the lorry

How to do it safely

Unsere Firma is based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and transports empty tanks, base cabinets and equipment – the animals travel with you.

When moving with an aquarium, one rule comes before all others: the tank is never carried full. One litre of water weighs one kilogram, plus the glass and substrate – the silicone seams are built for this load when standing still, not for knocks in the stairwell. So put the fish in bags or buckets with aquarium water, drain most of the water, and keep the filter material and substrate moist. The animals travel in your own car, well insulated and for as short a time as possible.

A terrarium move is similar: reptiles and amphibians travel with you in the car in ventilated, escape-proof boxes, and the terrarium itself is empty. We transport the empty tank, the base cabinet and the equipment padded and upright, separately from the rest of the household goods. In any case, a removal company is not liable for live animals under the German Commercial Code. How we transport individual delicate items is described under furniture transport.

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PERSONAL CONSULTATION

Have the empty tank, base cabinet and equipment transported

Fixed price after a survey or photos

Send us the dimensions and photos of your aquarium or terrarium, or call us on 01625978461. After the survey we quote a fixed price for your move with the empty tank, base cabinet and equipment. We coordinate the schedule so that the tank is set up first at the new location and the animals can move in quickly.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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CLEAR TASKS

What we take on – and what you do

Tank and equipment with us, animals with you

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and, when moving with an aquarium and terrarium, transport what is heavy and fragile: the empty tank, the base cabinet, cover, lights, filter and heater. You take the animals, plants and some of the old water in your own car – a removal company is not liable for live animals and plants under § 451d HGB. For the rest of the removal goods we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. Routes from Berlin can be found under long-distance moves.

Pad the tank

The empty tank travels upright, padded with blankets and secured, separately from boxes – the glass and silicone seams stay intact.

Base cabinet first

At the new location we set up the base cabinet first, so that you can level it in peace before the heavy tank goes on top and is filled.

Equipment separate

Filter, heater, lights and heat lamps are packed and labelled individually, so that nothing disappears into another box.

Animals travel with you

Fish, reptiles and amphibians belong in your own car – short, calm and temperature-controlled, rather than in the cargo area during the furniture transport.

STEP BY STEP

Six steps for moving an aquarium

A move with an aquarium succeeds if the order is right: first secure the animals, then drain the water, and finally carry the empty tank. At the new location it runs in reverse.

Pause feeding

Stop feeding one to two days before the move, so that the water in the transport bag stays clean and the fish cope with the journey more calmly.

Keep the old water

Take some of the aquarium water in clean, sealable canisters – it helps restart the tank at the new location.

Keep the filter moist

Keep the filter material in aquarium water and do not rinse it: it contains the bacteria the new aquarium needs to cycle.

Carry the tank empty

Remove the water, substrate and stones completely – a filled or weighted tank can split at the seams when carried.

Put the animals in last

First set up the tank, fill it, match the temperature, then slowly put the fish or reptiles into their new home.

Report the location

Keepers of specially protected animals subject to notification report the change of location to the competent authority without delay.

FOR SMALL LOADS

Only the tank is moving?

Empty tank and base cabinet

If only an empty tank with a base cabinet is moving to another city, a shared load can be cheaper than a dedicated transport. In that case a time window applies instead of a fixed date, and the animals should be looked after elsewhere in the meantime – for example with friends or in a small temporary tank.

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AQUARIUMS & TERRARIUMS

From
draining to putting back in

What matters when moving with animals

Moving with live animals comes down to three things: transporting the animals quickly and calmly, keeping the bacteria in the filter and substrate alive, and carrying the empty tank safely. This guide explains the order – from draining the water and the drive in your own car to putting the animals in at the new location. For terrariums, heat, humidity and escape-proof boxes are added. Tips for dogs, cats and small animals on the same day can be found under pets on moving day.

Planning with animals

Decide who drives the animals and when the tank is set up first at the new location. That way fish and reptiles stay in bags and boxes for just a few hours, and the move runs around them, not the other way round.

Tank, base cabinet, equipment

Empty tank upright and padded, base cabinet assembled first, equipment labelled individually: with careful furniture transport, even a large tank gets through a narrow stairwell intact.

Costs and liability

The price depends on the size and weight of the empty tank, the floor and the route. No removal company is liable for live animals and plants (§ 451d HGB) – that is why they travel with you. Additional insurance is possible for a valuable tank.

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FAQ

Questions about moving with an aquarium and terrarium

Preparation, transporting fish, substrate, reptiles, costs and liability – answered briefly.

Stop feeding one to two days beforehand and, on moving day, keep some of the aquarium water in clean canisters. Substrate, filter material and decorations stay moist so that the bacteria survive. The fish go into bags or buckets with aquarium water, and the tank is emptied completely before it is carried.

Moving an aquarium: keeping fish and bacteria healthy

An aquarium move starts one to two days beforehand with a feeding break. On moving day you put the fish in transport bags or buckets with aquarium water, drain the rest of the water and keep some of it in clean canisters. Filter material and substrate stay moist, because they contain the bacteria that break down pollutants in the water.

At the new location the base cabinet goes in first, then the empty tank. You fill it with the old water and fresh, temperature-matched water, put the filter in and only let the fish in once the temperature is right. Then check the water values over the first few days, feed sparingly and run the lighting for shorter periods at first. Replant the plants on the same day if possible so that they do not dry out.

Moving a terrarium: reptiles safe and warm

In a terrarium move, reptiles and amphibians travel in well-ventilated, escape-proof transport boxes – depending on the species, with a heat pack or damp cloths. Drive them in your own car, for as short a time as possible, and never leave them behind in a hot or cold car. Heat-loving species such as bearded dragons or snakes suffer particularly from sudden temperature changes.

Set the terrarium up again at the new location in the usual arrangement and preheat it before the animals move in. If you keep specially protected species that are subject to notification, report the change of location to the competent authority without delay (§ 7 BArtSchV).

What does a move in Germany cost?

The price range for a move is wide and depends on many factors. In principle, our prices start at €339 for a 1-room flat, at €579 for a 2-room flat, at €879 for a 3-room flat and at €1,299 for a 4-room flat. Larger properties such as a house or villa are calculated individually. For a long-distance move we charge from €3.85/km. Use our free survey to get clarity about your costs.

Moving costs in plain language

How expensive your move will be depends largely on the volume and the distance (from €3.85/km). The floor, lift and parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) also play a role. For extras such as furniture assembly or a shared load we are happy to prepare a separate quote.

All-round service for your move

We accompany you professionally through every step of your move.

Home move // Your move in private hands – safe and on schedule.
Furniture transport // Safe carriage of your pieces of furniture.
Part load // Share the loading area – save costs.
Company move // Company moves with minimal business interruption.
Clearance // Professional disposal of superfluous items.
Move with assembly // From disassembly to the finished set-up.

With a tank to another city

Even over long distances, the animals travel with you and the empty tank with us from Berlin (Stromstraße 21). Routes can be found under long-distance moves, places with their own pages in the locations overview.

Family & Pets

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 3, 2026

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Family & Pets Moving Tips