Have to move my tank.

[4n4sd4]

I am looking for suggestions as to how to move everything.

I was going to get a cooler and fill it with tank water to transport the corals and fish. I was going to get a rubbermaid brute to put the rock with water in, and then I was going to fill a bunch of 5 gallon buckets with most of the rest of the water. I plan to drain the tank down low enough to only have water covering the sand for the move. Does this sound like a good approach or would anyone suggest something different?

Thanks in advance!

 

[a1amap]

Move the tank empty. No sand, no water
It will be heavy enough and was not designed to be carried full.
That being said I have moved one with sand in it before without problem but better safe then sorry.

I moved my 55 gallon down to VA and back 15 years ago without problems. I used 18 gallon totes and taped the lids shut so they wouldnt spash open it the truck. Only fill them half way to allow for them to be lifted. Water is about 8.64 lbs per gallon* so they will be heavy.

Where are you moving it to?

AL





* At different temps water has different weights, this is close enough.

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

I moved my tanks and left the sand in with a small amount of water over it. Luckily it is still warm out and you don't have to worry about things dying off hopefully, I did it in the middle of december, lost lots of color off my rocks. How far is the move? You have the right idea though.

 

[4n4sd4]

I am moving from New Castle to Pike Creek so only about a 15 minute drive. The short distance is why i figured the tank should be ok with the sand in it and it would be a lot less mess and hassle, but if the general consensus is to remove the sand then I may have to consider that option.

 

[reef 'n ale]

Dude? You're moving??

Let me know when, maybe I can help.

It's temping to move the tank with the sand left in it, but it's going to be heavy and very risky. I don't know if I would do it...

Rob

 

[Gordonious]

90g will be heavy enough with out sand. The sand will be heavy enough with out the tank.

I've moved a ton of tanks a ton of places and probably could think of a million tips if I took the time. Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. As far as the sand and water. Siphon out a good bit of water from the middle of the tank before you touch the substrate so your not sucking up too much muck. If your removing the sand leave some water in the tank and just use a large siphon tube to pull it out into a bucket. Keep in mind though a 5g bucket full of wet sand is extremely heavy, so I wouldn't fill them.

If your going to take most of the water in 5g buckets then why not put 1-2 fish in each bucket. This will give them plenty of space. I wouldn't transport the fish with the corals for fear they would get cut up or stung by the corals on the way. Also corals under stress often produce/release extra slime which can hurt your fish.

Have lots of towels, paper towels, buckets surge strips and so on ready. Would be best if you could take a look at the place your going to be moving it to. Pick the spot you want to go, clear out space and check the electricity. Perhaps have some new salt water at the new location already mixed to the right salinity.

When I transport the equipment I use two plastic grocery bags, one is the wet bag, the other is dry. If you pull a submersible heater out put the water part in the wet bag and most of the cord and the plug in the dry bag to keep it dry. Can do the same with temperature probs or pH probes if you have them. Internal glass thermometers and just be set in the wet bag.... so and and so forth.

Are you sure of what day your going to be moving yet? Try to get as many extra hands as you can. I'll try to help if I don't currently have other plans.

 

[4n4sd4]

I am trying to move the tank this Saturday. Now I am really debating pulling the sand out. Looks like it is the only sensible option.

 

[Gordonious]

Still planning on moving the tank tomorrow?(Sat.) Let me know. Not sure how many buckets I will have to spare because I just got a ton of base rock I'm cleaning up, but I could help carry things and help you think things through and what not.

 

[fancyfish]

where are you moving? I just moved 3 miles up the road. I had a local service move my tank. several guys moved the tank. they left the sand in. They used brute cans and salt buckets. The livestock was placed in the brute can and the corals by themselves. Things went well. took them 3 hours and me several more placing everything back. I used the same water. The tank has settled in and looks good. everyone happy and healthy. good luck

 

[fancyfish]

where are you moving? I just moved 3 miles up the road. I had a local service move my tank. several guys moved the tank. they left the sand in. They used brute cans and salt buckets. The livestock was placed in the brute can and the corals by themselves. Things went well. took them 3 hours and me several more placing everything back. I used the same water. The tank has settled in and looks good. everyone happy and healthy. good luck

 

[kaptken]

yeah, take the sand out. it will give you a chance to fluff dry and clean the sand before you put it back in. I do thatwith my tanks. take everything out, then just keep stiring up the sand and using a hang on magnum filter to take out the crud. its good for the sand bed. now and then. renews it. sand collects detretus over time and needs to be cleaned. to help keep the nitrates down.

what time are you moving the tank?

 

[4n4sd4]

Jon and Ken,

I am starting to move the tank at 10:30 am. I am moving about 15 minutes away to Pike Creek. I would be greatly appreciative of any help. I hopefully have enough containers, but I would love assistance and opinions while doing it. Please feel free to shoot me a call on my cell phone at 302-420-2355. I am not sure how long it will take me to move everything, but the quicker the better. I am hoping I can avoid a ton of stress on the inhabitants of the tank.

Andy

 

[kaptken]

Yoh-K, let me give you a call.

 

[4n4sd4]

Well it has been successfully moved, and without a single fatality! I really want to extend a thank you to Jon and Ken as I would have been lost without their help!

Jon, let me know what works good for you as far as the aquascaping goes, and also let me know how the brittle stars work out for you.

 

[reef 'n ale]

Hey Andy!

I'm glad all went well!

I'm really sorry I couldn't make it today!

Rob

 

[kaptken]

You are Welcome Andy. Your other two friends there made the tear down and set up go smooth too. They got the tank plumbed and running again in no time. Not to mention the heavy lifting.

 

[Gordonious]

No problem Andy and thanks for the pizza and drinks. You have a lot of nice corals and a really nice set up as far as equipment and the tank/stand itself. I suppose there is two things left, aqauscape and then let those stuff grow out.

You think I would have been tired of tanks after working with someone elses tank and talking about them most the day. Nah, I came back and
-acclimated the star fish(seem to be doing fine)
-set up my frag tank(40g breeder)
-brought some animals out of qt(more acclimating)
-cleaned up my display
-cleaned my sump
-fragged tons of mushrooms and xenia
-I'm sure I did more that I forget about, but I'm tired.

Tomorrow morning it's back to Sussex County to move my last salt tank. Luckly this one is 1/3 the size of yours and not a display.

 

[wds21921]

I've moved about as many tanks as I have friends and a couple things I've learned :

Always have 1-2 extra people, the heavy lifting can take it's toll.

Plenty O buckets on hand.

Remove as much of the substrate as possible. It's going to be murky anyhow for a while even when you start back up with a 75% mix of fresh SW.

Have at least 2 vehicles, one preferably being a P/U truck.

Bubble wrap is a godsend for anything fragile and much less expensive than broken glass, coral or plastic. Especially for lids and lights.

Styrofoam or rubbermaid tubs and wet newspapers, the perfect mix for moving fragile coral and softies.

Plastic bags. Preferably not the cheap zip lok ones but the real Glad brand which does in fact seal and not leak.

And for anyone moving a big tank (90 and over), be sure to have the mix prepared ahead of time at your new home and temperature up to par for when the tank arrives. This can cut down your rebuilding by at least 1-2 days. IMOFWIW It's always a good idea to have your water ready for ANY size tank when it arrives, but even more so with the larger tanks because of everything else that's going to be happening for the first 3-4 weeks.

Having enough containers (bags, buckets, rubbermaids) is the big requirement. I'd rather have to throw a few away than to have to scrape and scrap to grab even a few at the last minute.

This isn't the end all to be all list but I think it touches on the most important and a few overlooked things