Anyone moved with tank to a new house?

[bmiller1234]

So we might be moving locally and trying to decide what to do. I already cleaned out 80% of corals from tank when I was going to downsize but kept a few things a few small sps colonies and a large derasa and 4 fish. Has anyone ever done a same day move with a larger tank and how'd you do it? I assume 5 gallon buckets with lids for livestock and as much water as possible and breakdown tank the mornin of the move?

Any experiences or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Woznickiaj]

I just moved my 54 gallon corner and 10 gallon sump 4 days ago , down 3 flights of steps. It was hell. I saved 30 gallons. I brought a 40 gallon brute garbage can on wheels all the way down empty and brought down 5 gallons of water down and dumped. I then put all livestock in the brute with a airstone. All in all i unded up breaking tank because i hit a bulkhead and cracked an entire panel . NIGHTMARE. Im just glad my livestock all survived the move. Just a good excuse to upgrade.

 

[bkhunt]

I just bought my 90g a little over a month ago. All I did was place rock and water in trash cans and packed livestock in bags of water and placed in cooler. Everything was good. I moved as much water as I could and only needed to make 5 gallons to complete setup and I moved tank about 45 miles.

 

[AHDOnline]

So you are moving the existing tank or setting up new?

If it was me I would tear down the tank earlier and try to keep the livestock in a Rubbermaid or other type of container and setup the tank at the new place ahead of time.

When we moved our 180 from Indy to Pitt we used 15 8 Gallon containers, 10 buckets two rubbermaid 100 gallon tubs, a uhaul and lots of sweat. The biggest issue is all the crap you are going to stir up removing the rock and sand. Having as much fresh mixed saltwater available at the new place is a good idea so you can help offset the mess. We used a lot of polyfil, carbon, cloram-x to get the new setup ready. We didnt lose anything but I dont think I would ever do it again.

If you plan on saving water (only benefit would be not making more and less acclimation time) then those olive barrels would be a great way to transport

 

[bmiller1234]

Sadly I won't have that option but great recommendation. We will be closing on the sale of old home and purchase of new home same day so looking more towards has anyone been able to juggle the move of an entire house and tank with success.

I am hoping that close times coordinate but will probably have to pack up house and have movers loading day or two before and then the morning of the move tear down tank and load into a seperate vehicle dedicated for fish tank. My other option is to move tank to my parents house for a few weeks and then move it to new house after dust settles.

 

[jerpa]

I would hold the livestock in a couple brutes or other larger containers in the new house while i set up the tank. A heater and a powerhead or two pointed at the surface will keep the fish and corals alive for several days easy. This way you can set the tank, add new sand, fill it, then allow a day for the sand to settle and get the plumbing and equipment set up. You could add the livestock the next day. You could even break it down one day, set it up the next, and add livestock the third. After 3 days, if it is necessary, you can put a light over the container with coral.

Obviously make lots of water. You always lose more than you think you will. It's also a good time to clean your rock well. I make a few extra buckets of water to swish the rocks in before I place it in the tank. It's amazing how much detritus comes out.

Thats how I would do it anyway. Good Luck.

 

[acer]

Also using a hang-on skimmer on the brut tank will also help water quality. Every little bit helps.

 

[livfortoday]

+1 for setting everything up in a holding tank or two while moving and resetting your display. I just moved a 65 about 1-2 months ago and didn't lose anyone.

I placed all my rock in a brute with heater, powerheads, and skimmer. I placed some rock and all livestock in a 20 gallon tank with heat, powerheads pointing to surface for exchange.

Everything survived this way for 2 weeks as I had a major mishap with the new tank just as I was getting ready to transfer livestock......so had to go to plan B.

Only think I can say, is if you think it is going to take 4 hours.....give yourself 8!