Im getting ready to buy a 75g tank with EVERYTHING. It has Fish,75lbs of LR, Coral, Sand, sump, Lights, ETC. Now Im not new to saltwater but have never moved a tank before. THe main thing I do know is that Im going to need rubermaid totes (how many do I need). Any help is needed, Thanks in advance!!
Have questions about moving a tank...
- Thread starter mebo926
- Start date
jasontammy
New member
It all depends on how big the rock is, how many corals and what kind of corals. IMO leave the sand in with a little water covering it to keep it in good shape. I would save as much of the water as I could as well. How far are you moving the tank? Let me know if you need some help. I am about 40 miles from B-Ham. Who knows you may have something you dont want and that I will.
Jason
Jason
Well the tank has a bunch of corals.... Has some mushrooms accupora, fiji leather, some polyps, and frogspawn. I have to go to Alabaster to get it and move it to Pell City. He is also giving me a bunch of frags. Im going sunday to pick up. If you are interested in helping PM me.
gflat65
New member
I do moves the quick and easy way. Drain the water into tubs that you and a friend can carry, move rock into one, coral into another (or several, etc.). I usually put the fish in a 5 gallon bucket or something. As Jason mentions, save as much water as you can to have fewer problems with the move. Try not to stir the sand bed. Break it down, load it up, then set it back up in reverse. I just bought a 75 loaded with rock, fish, and a few corals. We got it broken down in less than 20 minutes. Only moved it twenty minutes away, then had it set back up in 15 minutes (not counting unloading back into the house time). Of course, the guy that helped me has moved more tanks than I have, so we made great time. If you have a pump you can use for draining the tank, that will reduce the move time dramatically. Use jugs for water transport as much as possible. Unplug heaters as soon as you get there so they can cool down before removing too much water, and don't plug them back in until you have the water back in. I know a number of people who have fried tanks by forgetting the heater. As soon as the water is drained below the heater, it turns on (air temp is usually cooler than the set point, so it quickly cracks)
Good luck with the move.
Good luck with the move.
brandon2432
New member
There is a lfs in pelham and alabaster if you need something while you are in that area.
Hi, I agree Harry. I just moved my big tank back before Christmas and took out all sand to clean tank. I actually rinsed my sand although I am sure some will not recomend that. just have plenty of mixed salt water and fresh water on hand. You want to retain at least half of system water for reset and more is better. we moved water in totes, buckets, jugs. put rock in coolers with water that we intended to dispose of. Fish in 5 gallon buckets. Most corals were attached to rock so they went right in the coolers with rocks. I lost 1 small yellow sps after the move and one goby during the move (too cold for him I think) That was a battle we fought the entire move. This should be a great weekend for a move with nice temps. I am in Pell City as well and would be willing to assist but my son is expecting to be taken fishing tommorrow afternoon so we would have to see what happens. PM me if you would like to talk and I will give you my phone #
Terry
(RUGDOG)
Terry
(RUGDOG)
brandon2432
New member
aquarium design in pelham 2152a pelham pkwy, aka hwy 31 between valleydale and cahaba valley rd 205-444-9952
tropical pet cove in alabaster 7895 hwy 119 suite 10
205-621-0411
aquarium design has salt and ro water. I dont think tropical pet cove does but Im not sure. I moved my 125 with sand if you dont have like 5 or more inches its easier to leave it in like gflat said leave just enough water to keep the sand wet.
tropical pet cove in alabaster 7895 hwy 119 suite 10
205-621-0411
aquarium design has salt and ro water. I dont think tropical pet cove does but Im not sure. I moved my 125 with sand if you dont have like 5 or more inches its easier to leave it in like gflat said leave just enough water to keep the sand wet.
gflat65
New member
If you pull the sand, I wouldn't reuse it. When you break up a sand bed, you destroy the 'layers' in the sand and will see a definite cycle. Sand absorbs phophates over time just like LR does, so if you're pulling it, I'd buy new sand. The rock is your big filter, so you won't see too much of an issue with new sand (less, IME than if you try to break it out and reuse it). FWIW, I never remove the sand for a move on a tank under 90 gallons, unless the sand is several years old-I'll generally just replace it then. Over 90g, it becomes a weight issue to leave it in there. You just have to be careful not to jostle the tank too much getting from the stand to the car and back onto the stand. I've never had an issue with popping seams, but I guess that doesn't mean it can't happen.
jasontammy
New member
Hey John I made it home. All is doing well here. On your last coment you ment from me not for me. lol Anyway have fun it was nice to meet you. Jason
