Best way to move livestock during tank move? Bought CL Setup filled with Livestock

[drew930]

Hey guys.... I'm buying a tank off craigslist. First time buying a complete setup that is already established and running.... it's a 150gallon

There's a lot of livestock...

Blue Hippo, Luietenant, and yellow tang
Flame angel, couple blennies, hawk fish
Dartfish...
3 clowns hosting huge long tentacle anemone
7-8 small bubble tips
Mostly easy coral ... zoas, palys, mushrooms
Lots of snails...


What's the best way to move this tank? We only live about 15 minutes from each other which helps a lot. Here's what I was thinking ...

I have a 100 gallon rubbermaid, and (2) 40 gallon breeders.
1. Make up a lot of saltwater and fill these tanks with new water
2. Each tank will have a heater, flow, live rock and 1 light.
3. Most coral, rock and a few bubble tips go into (1) 40 gallon...
4. Large long tentacle anemone and clowns, rock go in the other 40 gallon.
5. A couple of smaller fish can go in coral 40 gallon as well.
6. All big fish including tangs and foxface, and rock go in the 100 gallon. This tank will have a small skimmer running on it until display is back up and running
7. After everything is moved over in the holding tanks, move tank and stand..
8. Set up tank and stand.... new water, then move some rock and few corals over.... then add all livestock a day or two after ....

I will have to paint the stand and drill holes through floor and make more water for display tank.... so the livestock may be in holding tanks for up to a week...

Is this okay? Any suggestions to make the holding tanks safer or cleaner to allow a longer holding time?

Thanks

 

[mcgyvr]

Sounds fine..
Don't forget light for those creatures that need it..

You will also need smaller containers that you can carry once filled to get the fish/water/rock,etc.. from their house to yours..

Provided you keep the rock submerged there shouldn't be a cycle at all..

 

[Joshua I.]

Sounds good but if your moving everything in a car over a long distance you can buy a live well for the car put the live stock in that and keep the car running some even come with heaters then move the tank itself in the car setup the tank in new location and then add the rock corals and fish from the live well in the tank plus you can put a light on it if you want

 

[five.five-six]

In the temp container for a week?

You will want to setup a heater and flow in the container. Lighting would be good too. But a heater and pump for flow for shure

 

[Kevin Guthrie]

Sounds like a good plan. I would probably just put the lr and coral in the stock tank with the fish. You didn't mention the gravel, IMO toss it. And if your RO/DI is slow then make some ahead of time.

 

[drew930]

Thanks for the replies guys....

Yea I was thinking about tossing the sand and starting with new ...
The rock will stay submerged
There will be flow in all tanks along with a heater and light

I can put more in the rubbermaid but wanted the fish to have some room to move. I'll guess they ll be alright if I make it a little fuller?

The other two tanks should be fine without a skimmer correct? I mean for a week with hardly any fish ... then the bigger rubbermaid will have a skimmer on it.

 

[Joshua I.]

Yeah its fine

 

[heathlindner25]

It sounds like a few people didn't read your post all the way through ,And it's also sounds like you have a good plan .

 

[drew930]

Awesome. I'll stick to the plan then.... just always get worried about killing livestock when moving or holding them in tanks. But I guess it the same thing lol just without a display tank.

Think I'll be okay with all those anemones in such a little tank? Maybe throw in a bag of carbon?