By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman
Professional movers will do everything they're able to to help you to move specialty items to Oklahoma City, from fine art to sensitive electronics. Regardless of size, weight, or difficulty to handle, your movers can probably handle the project. However, there are some things that movers aren't legally allowed to move, and for good reason. Moving trucks are dark, not temperature-controlled, as well as the interior of the truck can go unmonitored for days to greater than a week during the moving process. This is why movers cannot handle anything living for you, including furniture-like living things like your houseplants and fish tanks.
However, because items can't go in the moving van doesn't mean we're not able to show you how to look after them. Specialty item moving can be a tricky project and we're here to help you every step of the way. Even with things that will have to be moved to Oklahoma City within your vehicle.
Verify the Regulations
If you're moving to Oklahoma City across state lines, make sure all of your plant species are allowed in. Some states have got rigorous laws about bringing in new plant types.
Re-Pot in lightweight Plastic Pots
Large, heavy, and ceramic pots aren't convenient for moving. They're harder to lift and more likely to break mistakenly amidst the move. Repot your houseplants in light and portable plastic pots if at all possible so they are safer to move quickly and successfully.
Pack the Soil with Damp Paper
To prevent the soil from spilling, pack the top of your pot with damp paper. This will keep the soil from becoming dry and from spilling in your vehicle.
Place in Roomy Boxes with Air Holes
Your houseplants need proper protection and a satisfactory growing ambiance throughout the move. Think about tall boxes like wardrobe boxes for larger plants. Make sure to pack the pot tightly at the base to circumvent sliding while giving lots of space for the leaves and stems. You could possibly consider trimming your plants back for the move to Oklahoma City to make sure they are simpler to transport.
Going with Your Plants
If you have only a few plants, securing them into your backseat is an ideal answer. Otherwise, consider a small trailer for a large number of plants. Be sure to keep the interior of the car a comfortable neutral temperature and you should not water them unless they get very dry. Look out for excessive temperatures. Should you stop along the way, bring the plants inside and open them up to receive some light.
Consider Taking Cuttings Instead
If moving your plants seems like a whole lot of work however you still would like them in your new residence, consider taking small cuttings to restart with and gifting your existing potted collection to friends or maybe selling them to get a little extra moving funds.
Pack in Their Water
As you may have learned, water within a aquarium is properly balanced for healthy fish so your fish would be better transported in their water. To make certain this water is properly balanced but also as clean as it can be, replace about 20% of the tank water every day for 5 days prior to the trip and quit feeding your fish for 1 day before the trip. This should reduce waste within the water making your fish more healthy on the move. Fish can survive for approximately a week without food if well-fed ahead of the move to Oklahoma City.
For Few Fish, Transport in sturdy Plastic Bags
If you happen to only have only a few fish in a small aquarium, you can pack them in one or two tough plastic bags. Be sure the bags are filled up with water out of your aquarium. This is how fish get home from the pet store and it also ought to be safe for your little swimming pets en route to a new residence.
For A Lot Of Fish, Separate into Five Gallon Containers
For those who have a large assortment of fish within a big fish tank, purchase several 5-gallon containers along with lids which secure tightly. Fill the containers with tank water and space out your fish between them, being sure never to crowd the fish a lot in any one container.
Transporting Your Fish
Fish in bags may be packed inside Styrofoam in containers. Fish in containers have to be properly secured inside your backseat where they are going to shake minimally. Be careful concerning transportation temperature, particularly if traveling in the summertime or winter months. Take the fish inside along with you if you should stop at lodging along the way.
Think about Using a Pet Shop
Some pet shops will in reality assist you to move as well as board your fish. This is basically the optimal answer if it may take you some hours to get their aquarium tank set back up again in your new residence.
Aquarium along with you or the Movers
Lastly, decide what you want to do with the fish tank. Fully emptied and adequately cleaned, your movers can deal with it as a specialty item going into the moving truck itself to Oklahoma City. Having said that, if you could possibly get to the new residence prior to the moving company, you might want to load up the aquarium within your trunk instead.
Ready to start planning your move to Oklahoma City, including your plants and fish? Click here to discover how we can assist!
