Moving Tank Saturday - Advice and Brutes?

[LivingStrong08]

Hey All "“

As much as I hate to do this, I "˜m going to move my tank. We are getting ready to list our home and want the tank out while we show. We are going to move my tank into my father's home (he's excited) as we will probably stay there while we home hunt or build a new home. So"¦with this being said I have a few questions.

First, we are moving the tank about 10 miles down the road (Signal Butte to Power Rd.) and have plenty of muscle. ☺ My plan is to start Saturday morning and complete by Saturday afternoon.

I know to drain the water completely, remove liverock and livestock.

Tank specs: 67 gallon tank, 15 gallon sump, with a 3-4 inch sandbed

1. Does anyone in the East Valley have any large Brute Containers that I can borrow for a few hours to move my Liverock into and another Large Brute for fresh clean saltwater? I can clean and return the same day. I don't mind paying a renters fee if you like. ☺
2. I am really confused with the sand. I have read so many different methods. I figured in AZ it's been common for people to move down the road"¦With this in mind, should I dispose my entire sand and buy new dry sand and seed with a cup or two of my old sand? Or, rinse my old sand really really well and reuse?
Any tips?

Thanks all"¦wish me luck!

Timmy

 

[zibba]

You said you have plenty of help, so my recommendation would be to move the tank without disturbing the sand bed: Leave the 3-4" sand bed and the rocks that are buried into the sand bed in place. Siphone out as much water as you can and move the rock into containers separate from the livestock (corals, fish and inverts). If you have corals that are attached to the rock, you can leave them or break them off and remount -- your choice.

If you can't lift it with the sand and a small amount of rock, and you decide to disturb the sand bed, just pull it all out and get new clean sand. If you don't have new sand on-hand, run the new tank barebottom until you're able to get clean sand. If you don't want to buy new sand, you can reuse the old stuff but it should be rinsed very well and, at least, soaked in RODI water to leach some nasties out (again, run the tank barebottom until this process is complete). Best course is to do a lanthanium chloride treatment on the sand, but it's more work than most people want take on. Bottom line: if the sandbed is disturbed, don't just toss it back into the tank at the new location.

Another tip: have at least your total water volume of fresh saltwater mixed and ready to go at the new location. It will make your life much easier come moving day. Having a little extra at the end of the day will be better than not having enough.

 

[LivingStrong08]

@Zibba - Thanks for the advice. I was debating on buying the bagged livesand, but that is quite the expense, especially if I could use the sand now.

I could always go and see how much our LFS's have dry sand for and go from there. If I do that, after rinsing the new sand, I can just seed it. Would are my chances for a new cycle at that point?

I will also make sure to have plenty of water for the new setup.

Hopefully some of our local reefers will have some containers I can borrow. That would save me some $$.

 

[zibba]

If you go with new, no need to pay a premium for the "live" stuff. You can seed with a cup from your old sand, so just scoop out a cup and bring it with you to the new place (or get a cup of sand from someone nearby). A small amount of the old sand isn't going to do any harm. And, if you go with dry sand, don't forget to rinse it and let it dry out. It's surprising how much silt and junk comes out of the dry sand.

Add the new sand slowly: a quarter of a gallon/week and you shouldn't spike a new cycle.

Someone out on the east side should be able to help you out. If not, silverA3 is selling a brute for really cheap.

 

[Rippinfrags]

I have a brute with wheels you can use, I will have it empty by tomorrow evening. Let me know if your interested and good luck with the transfer.

 

[LivingStrong08]

@Rippinfrags - YES! I will need a few for sure, so any little bit helps! Thank you. How big is the brute? Rough estimate is fine. I think if I borrow yours and purchase SilverA3's I may be good.

 

[woodwrangler]

I have 2 of the 44 gallon Brute trash cans + carts, you are welcome to borrow for the weekend. I'm near McClintock/Ray.
PM me if interested

 

[Rippinfrags]

Mine is also a 44 gallon brute. I live on Ellsworth and queen creek rd. let me know if you would still like to borrow it?

 

[LivingStrong08]

Thank you thank you!! Great community that's helping out here!

 

[A320 FO]

If you come get Ripppinfrags, I live near by him and have 2 Brutes with wheels that you can use as well. I live 2 miles from him.

 

[LivingStrong08]

Hi All -

I wanted to let everyone know that they tank move was successful! It took 12 hours....with Carlos showing up (pre-planned) with 80 gallons of new saltwater and a last minute decision to add pre-bagged livesand.

Scott (Woodwrangler) You rock! I owe you some frags down the road. My wife is amazed how our community always helps out!

Rippin - thank you for offering as well.

My father has been so happy with the tank and we had 0 casualties....so far. However, everything is looking very stable and happy right now. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thank you all!

Tim

 

[MurphysLaw]

I'm glad to hear it was a success I am about to do the same thing and I had some of the same questions. Thanks for posting.

 

[LivingStrong08]

There are so many mixed opinions on what route to take with sand and water. In the future, when I move this tank back to my new home, I will service through Carlos at Aquarius to deliver fresh Saltwater to my location, super affordable and was on time. Also, removing the old sand and giving the tank a really good cleaning before setting back up, IMO, allows for use to restore the amazing glory of our beautiful equipment! I used the pre-bagged live sand (also bought and delivered by Carlos). Mine was really a last minute decision on the sand. However, I think it is totally worth it.

If you have the extra money to purchase new water and new sand - save the time and additional stress on your back and pals, and do it.

Good luck!