Moving day for a 10

[Amphiprionocellaris]

Well, the end of the year is swiftly approaching, and it looks like either Friday of next week or the Tuesday afterwards will be "go-home" day for my 10 gallon. Here is my plan for moving the thing, based on my successful move of a fully-stocked 75; I was wondering if anyone had any advice they might want to offer.

1)I will drain half the water into my 5 gal. container.

2) I will remove the couple of corals that are not attached, as well as any loose rocks. Unfortunately, most of the zoo colonies are attached; I'm banking on that to hold the rocks together during the move.

3) If I can catch the fish without too much stress (not counting on it), I will remove the gobies. I will probably be able to get the clown goby out (he eats from my hand!) but the watchman will probably have to stay, as will the pistol shrimp.

4) I will remove any other loose things I can catch: the snail, hermit crabs, etc. I will also trim the algae in case the main colony (pictured below, because I like the picture) doesn't make it.

5) Once that has all been done, I will remove the equipment and place the tank on a piece of plywood (same technique I used with the 75).

6) I will gently transfer the tank to my car and gently drive home.

It's the same method I used getting it up to school, but it was 4 gallons smaller and FOWLR back then!
Hopefully, after a year of goby- and shrimp-induced settling, the rockwork will be stable enough for a nice, quiet ride home.

Any suggestions/things I haven't thought of?

Thanks in advance!

 

[AIMFish]

Why not drain all of the water into bucket and put the livestock in there when you move? That way you can put a good top on it and water won't splash around when you drive and rock will not shift.

 

[Amphiprionocellaris]

The problem is that almost all of the corals are attached to the rock. If I can find a way to get them out in one piece, I will probably do that. Otherwise, I will cover the aquarium and go from there.

 

[mr pink floyd]

you could buy a glass top, or get a piece of glass that will fit right inside the border, silicone around it, and move

with half the water in there it will eb a bumpy ride, things will get squished fro mthe water rushing from side to side, flipping over rocks and such

 

[Amphiprionocellaris]

I am definitely going to put the glass top back on. Nothing is in a position to be crushed by falling rocks or anything like that, and the ride in my car is actually very smooth (we didn't have any problems bringing it up as a full six gallon).

 

[jordanh]

How far is the drive. If it isn't too far why not just leave the fish in the tank. When I move my 10g I only take about 3 gallons of water out, they aren't that heavy. Then I use packing tape to tape plastic-wrap over the top. I leave all my corals in there, my green slimer even sticks 1-2 inches out of the water. I get it home in about 40 minutes and everything is fine.

 

[Amphiprionocellaris]

It's only a 30 minute drive, which is why I'm probably going to leave stuff in the tank (for safety's sake and because I'm anal-retentive about it, I will remove what I can). And most of the drive is over the interstate, which is very easy driving as far as in-car forces go.

 

[mr pink floyd]

oh, thats fine, id fill it up, and cover the top up and drive home!

i plan on having a 10 gallon wit ha 70 watt HQI in college, but hipefulyl i will make it into UConn, so it will only be an hour away!

but i got 4 years to worry 'bout that

 

[Amphiprionocellaris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7277671#post7277671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr pink floyd

i plan on having a 10 gallon wit ha 70 watt HQI in college, !

You know, it's funny that you mention that. I have the 96 W powerquad, and I love it, but I was originally planning on a 150 HQI. It's a good thing I looked at the student handbook beforehand, though, because HQI lamps are specifically prohibited in the dorms! I guess it's because of the potential fire hazard; oh well, I ended up with a 10 gallon zoo tank instead of a 10g. SPS nano. No skin off my nose: I've got 5 other tanks in my care to do with as I please!

 

[mr pink floyd]

the nill go with a quad!

you ca neven do some LPS under htose lights too, eve na digi or cap i believe

i would not mind a zoo tank either!