Moving cross country with tanks?????

A

Aquatic Reef Creations

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Hey All,
I am moving from Indiana to South Florida. I have a 180 gallon glass tank with cabinet and canopy. I also have a 120 gallon acrylic with cabinet and canopy. After getting a quote from a moving company on our household items we are contemplating renting a truck and moving ourselves. For those of you that have made a cross country move, any suggestions? I am debating on whether to sell the tanks here in Indiana and buying a new set up once we are moved. I know that some people crate the tanks for the move, I am not sure that I would be able to do that.
Anyone with any input to this please chime in here. I am at a loss as to what to do in this situation. The tanks are drained and it is just equipment that is being moved.
Thanks for any information.
Kevin
 
If you are already renting a movie truck and there is no livestock involved I would move it instead of selling it and buying a new one. I think it would be cheaper and less effort. Sure it's a pain to move, but it is also a pain to sell and buy a new one. Less costly, too.

I've never moved a tank but I can say I vote for moving your own stuff. Most moving companies are scum. The whole business is shady as hell.
 
I've moved tanks numerous times, just never this far of a distance. Cross state, yes, country no. Should I keep the tanks on the stand with styrofoam between the stand and tank?
 
Ive done several 2-3-4-5-6-7 hr tank moves but not that far.. I would sell all the livestock and keep the equipment then just restart when you get there. you could definately move everything but with that far of a move I'd be expecting alot of losses... if you like your liverock save it though and either put it in a rubbermaid with water when you move or just dry it out especially if it has aptasia on it..
 
I have already sold everything that was live. I am only planning on taking the equipment with me. Just not sure how realistic it is for the tanks to make it that far without any damage. I am not going to have room to crate everything up and not sure how to go about doing this.
 
plastic wrap and lots of carboard around the tanks to prevent scratches and breaking and make sure you pack well around them.. I dont think it should be that big of a deal in a moving truck..
 
U-haul has those thick moving stuff that look like comforters (can't remember what they are called). You can wrap the tanks in them and secure them at the truck's wall with straps. It is better to place styrofoam between the tank and the stand in case you hit some bumpy roads.
 
years ago i move from texas to NY with my tank actually running at half volume and i used battery powered air pumps for the 36 hour trip . didnt lose any livestock and it was quite simple . i have to add it was a 35 hex and in the spring at near perfect conditions so the tank temp stayed very stable throughout the whole trip .
 
+1 to the wrasseman, moved corals & fish for 14 hrs with half water in tank with battery air pumps, loaded tanks at the back of truck last, checked them at every stop, no losses
 
you'll be fine. just pack well and take it slow. Its just lije a flatscreen tv, or china cabinet or anything else fragile. Pack well around it and keep it stable. A 180 is a thick tank, and yes keep it on the stand that way you know it is flat
 
If its only equipment, then i wouldn't worry about it. Equipment is the easy stuff to move. Hell i would pack up the rock in totes with no water and take all that too. I just wouldn't move the fish or inverts or corals.
 
Have not made the move yet. The semi trailer is coming the 27th. I will post how it goes. I sold the 120 and I am only taking the 180. My plans are to wrap the tank in bubble wrap and then cover that with cardboard. I am going to set the tank on the stand with styrofoam inbetween the tank and stand. I will have mattresses on both the long sides of the tank and make sure that nothing is going to be able to shift. Those are my plans. Praying that everything makes it ok. I will post when it is over.
Thanks for all the input
 
Right on! And now you've moved to the perfect place for livestock...I'm from Broward...miss the availability and prices!
 
Looking forward to the availability and the pricing. It will be a little bit before I am able to get it set up and it is killing me. Patience is not one of my strong suits.
 
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