Moving Aquarium

[longboarder]

I'm moving out of state and am giving my tank to my friend. He lives about 30 miles from me and I'm thinking about doing a breakdown/cleanup in one day, and transferring/setting up on the next day. I wanted to know if anyone has experience in this so I can move the tank w/out harming the inhabitants when setting the tank back up.

I have a couple of tangs, 2 true percs, and a rose BTA. I'm mainly concerned for the bta. Any suggestions or web links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

 

[NicoleC]

Not hard to do, or at least not as hard as it seems.

Remove the rocks and water to clean, well-rinsed rubbermaid/Sterlite tubs. (Don't fill them too high or they will rupture, double-tubing is a good idea.) Keep the fish in a separate tub where they won't get squished if the rock shifts in transit. The RBTA's rock can be in another container or cushioned form the rest with plastic bag pillows.

Leave the sand in the tank with a smidgen of water. Strap tank to stand and move together to prevent torquing the tank and possibly causing a rupture or a weak seam which will leak later.

At destination, reverse. Put the rock in, then pump the water over the rock. If it's a reasonably warm and sunny day, you shouldn't even have a temperature problem for a 30 minute drive. If in doubt, use a battery operated air pump for the tub with the fish.

I suggest having your friend pre-mix some water the day before at his house. Inevitably, you will need extra water.

 

[.Bulldog]

I echo the suggestions above. I've moved different tanks a number of times now. Here's the how-to I wrote for a guy about six months ago, if it helps...

http://www.inlandreefs.net/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=43&topic=95.msg679#msg679

 

[longboarder]

Thanks NicoleC and Bulldog....