Taking aquarium across EU borders

[Stickman]

I'd welcome any advice from forum members.

In a week I'm moving from UK to Slovakia (another EU country), driving there in two days via France, Germany and Austria. I want to take my planted 55l cube aquarium with shrimps and ottos. First question: are there any border controls on moving my aquarium from one country to another?

I would securely fasten the aquarium to the back seat of the car, reducing the water to one-third and securing its glass lid with tape. Second question: is there a better way to transport the aquarium in a car, that minimises the risk of damage to the aquarium or stress to the shrimp/ottos?

Thanks for reading and any help, a google search produced nothing useful.

 

[Fox]

You're allowed to travel over borders within the EU to buy fish as 'pets' without restriction (for the most-part), so I imagine you must be able to move what you already have within the same.

 

[NeilW]

To move the aquarium I would remove all the inhabitants and bag them up in Kordon breathable bags (if you can find them) and then keep all the bags in a cool box or polystyrene fish box. Drain all the water out the tank and cover with clingfilm and spray tank water every now and then with a mister to keep all the plants wet.

As for filter media I would use a clamp down tupperware container with a hole drilled in the lid for an airline and then buy one of those battery operated airstones to push air through the media.

I wouldn't recommend moving the aquarium with water in as it can break the glass and also move around all the substrate/decor into a soup.

Sounds like an adventure though!

 

[Stickman]

Thanks: sound advice NeilW and Fox.

 

[NeilW]

If you're moving shrimp then keep them separate to the Otto's and also add either moss or filter floss to give then something to hang on to.