Moving my 90 SPS tank. Suggestions?

[powder_blue]

I will be moving my 90 SPS dominated tank back down to Florida in the next 10 days. I have moved tanks before but not full of SPS corals. It should be about an 11 hour trip from NC to FL. Biggest concern is sandbed as I don't want to do something stupid. I assume I will get rid of the current sandbed when I empty the tank and then rinse the crap out of new sand when I'm ready to set it up. Looking for any suggestions that may help lower the risk of losing any of my prized possessions. Thanks! :headwalls:

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

how deep is the sand? I would leave an inch or two of water covering it if you can and set it right back up. use as much water as you can bring. Keep the live stock in coolers until you get the tank filled and back to proper temp. You should be able to move this and set it back up the same day? of coarse you'll have a million other things going on. if your bringing fish use a battery powered air pump.

 

[Epicreefer]

I've done this many a time.
Step 1 store as much water as you can move, set 5g aside for bagging fish
2 Bag everything individually and transport in somewhat temp controlled environment.
3 Remove rocks and try to shake off detritus in remaining water or 5g bucket. Transport damp is ok sometimes but for 12hr might be a bit long. Use the dirty water for this not your clean water.
4 Catch fish and bag in set aside clean water from step 1
Shop vac out what's left and toss, you can save the sand but it's really not worth it if there is any question.
CLEAN the tank NOW and pack everything up.

When you set the tank up either use the bagged live sand stuf, because it's pre rinsed, or pre rinse sand before you start. Add rock, toss transport water, add clean water, un bag corals and toss transport water, then fish and toss water. You can leave the tank half full the first day while collecting or making new water, just keep everything submerged with a heater and water flow. You don't need to keep your water if it's going to be a pain to move it, but then you should have water waiting for you or a good plan to make it when you get there that doesn't involve 5 20g trips to the lfs. With new sand you still have bacteria on the rock but shouldn't feed as much as usual. Bacteria in a bottle isn't a bad idea just don't collect skimate for the first day to let it settle.

 

[agruetz]

Here is how i did my last move I got a big ice chest I stuck my largest piece of live rock in it filled it with tank water. I drilled a whole in the top for a heater and an air pump. Got a car inverter and powered it all with that. I kept 1 back of sand from the old tank and used all new sand. I kept all the rock in cheap disposable ice chests. All my coral's were kept (as well as fish) in the ice chest. I made a small frag rack and just stuck everything in that.

It seemed to work well. I hope this helps.

 

[powder_blue]

Thanks for the ideas! I definitely want to use new sand bc I only keep a very thin layer on the bottom. I have 2- 33 gal trash cans that I was going to put the live rock in with about 10 gal in each can. I guess I'm going to be doing a lot of bagging. I have several of the styrofoam containers from previous purchases. The trip should take about 11-12 hours and I'm bringing fresh seawater and water from my tank. I have enough cans to get the tank mostly filled. Good idea on cleaning it before I leave. I can only imagine how much fun that would be while I'm already freaking out and trying to save everything. I'm living just across the water from the ORA facility. Hopefully the stores in the area will have a good selection.