Moving advice?

[reef4mat]

Might be moving in the next couple months and am looking for advice from anyone that has moved livestock between locations. How did you prepare? What valuable lessons were learned? I have a 90 gal tank, 25 gal sump, LED lighting w/sps, lps, softies & fish. Thanks!

 

[trackfast]

I was able to set up a another tank at the destination so the livestock would not be too stressed out. I did use as much as the same water as I could. The move happened when the washer happened to be optimal; mid to upper 70s outside. I used some 5G buckets and a couple of bigger totes. Good luck.

 

[trackfast]

weather*

 

[smiz]

I wold individually bag sps. I just moved and had a very sps in a bucket and they all ended up killing each other because they touched, even though it was only about a 15min move.

 

[Votts]

I wold individually bag sps. I just moved and had a very sps in a bucket and they all ended up killing each other because they touched, even though it was only about a 15min move.

+1 to that. just put everything in its own zip lock baggie and you can place them all in the same bucket. I would try to get the tank up and running in the other place if its a new tank but if not I would see if someone on here has a Rubbermaid horse trough and maybe they will let you use it so then you can set your stuff up at the new place and keep the fish in the trough till you get it all set up then move everything.

 

[Caragol]

Save and reuse as much water as possible to reduce stress, plan to keep corals out of tank as long as possible. I moved corals into a temp tub at a friends before moving houses, then picked up and set up later.

 

[Caragol]

Sorry, plan to keep corals out of tank as short as possible. I'm guessing that didn't need to be said. Whatever you do it's a pain, I like the babysitter option where you find a friend who will keep the tank for a couple of days because you'll have enough going on and don't want to rush putting it all back together so you can go move other stuff. On the other hand, it means you'll have to move the corals twice which isn't great either.

Get tarps for you car/carpet, because no matter how careful you are, something will spill.
5 gallon buckets are optimal because they're just about the right weight without straining your back.
Don't get lazy and think you can leave rock or sand in the tank and move it together. It will just be too heavy.
Have gloves handy because your hands are going to touch everything including bristleworms as you grab rocks. There's also a good chance you'll scrape yourself on something.
Take a picture of the tank immediately before so you can remember how you aquascaped it.
Have extra fresh saltwater made in advance if possible to top off spills.
Keep cold beer nearby.

 

[reef4mat]

Thank you everyone. That's what I was thinking and it's nice to know I was on the right track. Appreciate the advise on individually bagging the sps!

 

[chicagoreefer20]

I was the guy who brought his 4 year old and bought a bit of GSP - I was counting on you staying near me as a I set up my new tank. Where are you moving to?

BTW - your generous amount of GSP is doing well in my tiny tank