Getting ready to move

[Nu2SW]

Well i knew one day I would have to take on this task. I am moving from my current place down 99 to east parkway & florin. Right by the old exotic.

So I am wondering how others have done it. I have the general idea, but ANY and ALL tips are welcome.

I am moving a 50g with a 20g fuge and a 12 gallon nano. The nano will be pretty easy.

This is my plan.

Tub #1 all rock and water with heater and Power head. 50lbs worth of rock. I am going to take out all the rock first the night before I move. So all that would be left is Fish and sand in the tank.

The Day I move I am going to get all the fish and put them in plastic bags or another tub , then bags for the car trip. I would like to make it as least stressful for them.

I am going to use 4 5-gallon water containers for my water. so 20 gallons from the 50, If anyone have some I can borrow, that would be greatly appreciated. For about 3-4 days that would be great along with any other heaters and small powerheads.

Now one thing I am concerned about is the sand in the tank, With all the crud over the past 10 months. Id like to keep the sand in the tank, but that is 50lbs worth of sand, but I dont want to crack the tank. Keeping the sand in the tank Id place plastic over the sand, and then fill it back up with water and then take the plastic out.

I have a spare 30t I can use as a QT. Id have to clean it very well as it is now hosting freshwater, but I am going to turn those into Ost Or if anyone here has a FW tank, they can have the fish. A pictus catfish, a silver tip tetra and a dojo louch about 5 inches long. All community fish.

So there is myplan, what you guys think?

 

[dots]

Buy the bigger tank like you want and are going to buy eventually now. Set it up in the new place ASAP and tear down the other and transfer it so you don't have to move yours in a hurry.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8983183#post8983183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dots
Buy the bigger tank like you want and are going to buy eventually now. Set it up in the new place ASAP and tear down the other and transfer it so you don't have to move yours in a hurry.

Very good idea and a great time to do it as well.

 

[Nu2SW]

LOL....

So doug Ill be expecting a check from you for lets say... Ummm..... $800 dollars.:rollface:

Like I got that kind of cash laying around, OH yes I would love to upgrade. But it aint happening anytime soon.

So besides that idea, How does my plan of attack sound to other folks.

TIA

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8983183#post8983183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dots
Buy the bigger tank like you want and are going to buy eventually now. Set it up in the new place ASAP and tear down the other and transfer it so you don't have to move yours in a hurry.

 

[dots]

Only $800? That might cover the glass......

Those edgeless ones over at that new store look pretty good!!!! H'bout one of those?

But seriously, its the best time to do that sort of thing......

What I would do though is get one of those Ag tubs and transfer all of yours into that tub......either first or last before you are stressed about moving everything else. Move the tank and set it up in one day.......the next move the livestock the next while using the ag tub as a "tank" until the other is set up.

 

[Nu2SW]

Can I or should I is the better question. Move the tank with 50lbs of sand still in it?

 

[dots]

I wouldn't......glass is strong up and down with the direction of the plane, not so much perpendicular to the plane

It wouldn't be so much the weight, but when picking it up and putting it down, the "twisting" that would occur and the point load that would result. It would be the equivalent of dropping a rock in the tank, but from the other side. The risk of breaking it would be greater.......I would advise against it.........

I guess this is a bad time to bring up another advantage to having a barebottom tank?........easier to move!!!!!

 

[dots]

I live pretty close to your location currently and have a small pick up and wouldn't mind helping you tear it down and setting it back up again......have done it myself....LMK

 

[Nu2SW]

I think my parents are going to come over the day I move, they have a chevy p/u. I may want someone who has done this before to kinda guide me I guess, So if you'd like to help out that day with the tank that would be great.

I'd probably do the tank last, as to know where I want it and All. Move all the furniture with my father first and get it where it needs to go first.

 

[dots]

Just PM me if you need a hand.....I have tons of time being that I am not in school currently.......

 

[MrMikeB]

Edwin,

Long winded advice below (assuming you cannot buy another tank prior):

One thing I would caution you regarding the sand. If it has been left in for awhile without being mixed up so that it has been able to create pockets of anaerobic bacteria and other nasties, you might want to be careful setting the tank up again. You could inadvertantly leave a plume of nitrates and other unknowns into your water if you are to quick to set it up again without letting things filter out before re-adding the rock and livestock. I would strongly encourage you to plan on leaving your rock and livestock in their temporary home for up to three days to account for contingencies that may arise - which are almost certain to occur.

Your fish can easily go into a tub with a seal able lid (for the ride) and an air pump and heater while you reestablish your tank. Make sure its enough water for them to be out for three days. You might want to add a couple pieces of rock to allow them some sort of hiding places. Preferably it would be a colored container and not clear - less visual stimuli. Do not feed them much, if at all.

As for moving it, I think you will be fine with the sand in the bottom. Simply doing the math, a 50 gallon will hold 400lbs+ of weight, so having 50 lbs should not be an issue. I have moved my larger tanks with 4" of sand bed without much a problem (hundreds lbs+) - might have just been lucky though. Like anything, you want to carefully move it as to not create stress points.

I have a bunch of small pumps, air pumps, buckets, and I think a couple heaters (small) that you are welcome to borrow. In fact, if you are willing to clean it out (just has a bit of sand in it)I have a fairly decent 46 gallon bowfront you can use for temporary storage. I think you might have seen it in my garage when you were here last.

Hope this helps!

 

[dots]

Your only considering that its static, evenly distributed weight.....ie, the tank isn't moving. When its picked up, moved and set down.....not to mention the vibration from the road and drive.......its the dynamic force that would/could accumulate in one spot that would exceed the strength of the glass.

And we wont even mention the extra 50#s in a glass box that one would have to carry......Its not the breaking.....its the cracking your worried about, which happens regularly on stands that are not level or square in static conditions.

 

[MrMikeB]

Yes I was assuming the sand would be evenly distributed. If you leave a little water in it (just a very little), the tank now devoid of anything else would even out the bed. Its not ideal to move a tank with anything in it, heck in fact not having a crate might also be bad, but from my own limited experience with moving my own tanks around, I personally have not had an issue with a bit of sand and water left in the bottom. Again, it could just be a fool's luck.

 

[Nu2SW]

THank mike. I have a 30g that I am going to use as a QT tank for the fish and LR that have stuff attached to it.

Ive been wanting to add more LR to my tank, I guess this will be a good time to do so.

Also, Mike that was one of my concerns of the sand. It is about 3-4 inches even across the bottom.But after 10 months of sitting there (I havent stirred it) I dont know what kind of junk is in there. I have Lots of carbon I can use.

I guess Ill run my 30 over in the morning to the new place, clean it out. Set it up with 20 gallons of established water and 10 gallons of fresh water. Throw in the rocks with life attached to it, the fish and snails, Heater and Powerheads. I can leave them in there for a few days while the sand settles.

Oh man its gonna smell.

Also anyone got urchin experience. I have a long spine urchin, How would I get him out? LOL dont wanna stab myself.

 

[Elite]

Only 10 months.. It won't smell as bad as you think. Good luck with the move. I moved 100G tank by myself (well 95% of it) and it wasn't fun.

 

[dots]

I think your sand bed will be fine, its just getting going......a couple of years......then maybe I would worry a bit about disturbing it......I think you will be fine.