Relocating my Tank

Question
Hi Michael!

I have a fully cycled 3 year old 55 gallon freshwater tank in which i have 5 small angelfish residing along with a few mollys. I've got to move the tank about 20 minutes to my new place and I was wondering what is the best way to do this while preserving my tanks ecosystem and keeping my fish safe. I've been looking to change the rocks in my tank as well, all I'm waiting for is the right time to do so. Think this is a good opportunity?

I've been tossing ideas around with friends about different ways to do all of this. One idea was to put about 80% of the water in a large clean trash can for transport while keeping the fish in a 5 gallon clean bucket for about 2 hours while we move and refill the tank. Is this the best way to transport the fish? I think it would be a good idea to take advantage of the water being extra low to give the substrate a good vacuum, but i don't want to ruin the ecosystem. If you've got any advice on moving tanks Id greatly appreciate some help. Thanks!

Answer
Chris,
what I do is I get a cooler to put the fish and plants in, med size is good and a 30gal trash can to hold new water make sure you use a contractor liner as you don;t want any scented/treated ones.
Fill the trash can with water at your new place.
Drain some water out of your tank at your old place into the cooler, put the fish in the cooler. Put the rocks in buckets covered with paper towels to keep them moist, this is where the bacteria is on the rocks and in the gravel, not the water itself.
Drain the tank down to where the water just covers the gravel.
Now you can move the tank, gravel and all with just that little bit of water keeping the gravel moist.
Set the tank up at your new place, add the water from the 30gal trash can, which you can heat to temp with the heater from your tank.
The cooler will hold the fish to temp for a couple of hours no problem but you should be able to get close to the right temp in your tank by then.
Place your rocks etc clean what you need to clean then add the fish last.
Do not change your filter pads as they are full of good bacteria as well.
You might see a little cloudy from all the re arranging but that should clear and you should be fine in a few hours and the fish will be happy with a "fresh" new look and feel/
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.