Moving tank to Virginia - How should I do it?

[lazyrhino]

I'm currently in the process of downgrading from a 75G to a BC29 & then I'm moving to Charlottesville VA at the end of the month.

Have any of you ever moved a tank that far successfully? How did you do it?

Or maybe you can tell me how you moved one unsuccessfully so I know how not to do it? :spin3:

I'm hoping that the weather should be warm enough that I don't need to worry too much about temperature. Hopefully it's not too hot!

Another thing I need to consider is that my trip will entail 1 night in a hotel. This can't be avoided because I have to be out of my house here July 31st & my house there isn't available until Aug 1st. I'll be packing up one morning, driving most of the way there that day, staying over night in a hotel, finishing the drive the next morning & getting into the new house.

I'm thinking that as long as I can control the temperature, everything is fairly easy except for the fish. Because I'm probably looking at the fish being contained somehow for about 36 hours, I need a way to transport them safely but also probably oxygenate them at some point?

So here's my plan so far:
-I figure I'll move the sand & rocks submerged in water in buckets.
-I think I'll bag as many of the corals as possible to try to give them some separation so they're not all sitting on each other & knocking each other around.
-I was thinking I'd just put the fish & some water in a cooler & transport them that way. That would give a greater water volume than a bag so the water should stay cleaner & would also allow me to add a heater & air pump when I stop for the night. I'm now thinking though that the water might slosh around too much and they may be injured. Thoughts?
-I'll bring as much clean saltwater as I can. With the nano, I'm hoping to bring enough that I can setup the tank without having to wait to make water.

I welcome all feedback. Thanks in advance.

 

[skunkmere]

i would think the fish would need aeration and keep them cool and warm enough.

 

[Texanjordan]

You could always sell me some of your live stock, I live at the Naval Station.

 

[AC-WEB]

I know it would be hard, but i think i would sell my livestock and restart when you are settled in your new place.

 

[lazyrhino]

I did consider getting rid of the fish & starting over on that front, but I'd like to try moving them. As a military family we move every couple years & I need to figure out how to move the tank. Starting over every 2-3 years would be unbearable. If this were a one time move, I would probably do as you all suggest.

You could always sell me some of your live stock, I live at the Naval Station.

Let me know what you want. I'll have a Foxface Rabbitfish & Flame Angel for sale for sure. Plus a bunch of frags because my 29 won't fit everything from my 75.

 

[Texanjordan]

Let me know when you are availbile, and I will come over and look. Wish I knew you earlier, I thought I was the only reefer in housing. I would love to get the fish, I allready have a angel, would they get along?

 

[lazyrhino]

Let me know when you are availbile, and I will come over and look. Wish I knew you earlier, I thought I was the only reefer in housing. I would love to get the fish, I allready have a angel, would they get along?

I'll be sure to let you know. I doubt adding another angel is a good idea. It may work in a very large tank, but I think to have a shot in a 90 you'd have to add them at the same time.

Anyone have any ideas on how to do this other than to start over?

 

[taylor t]

I think it is possible, depending on your desire/abilities/equipment available to you/MONEY (in no specific order). If it was me, I'd start a cooler (my uncle has a fishing cooler he brings on the boat for his salmon, 4' long) with live rock, and I'd light it, like a mini-transportable tank. Next time, start it a couple months before you need it. Get it cycled, lights, skimmer, etc. fully cycled and functioning. Battery back-up with a marine battery and inverter (GFI), and wha lah. Portable, stable tank. Very do-able, with enough time and money, anything is possible. But, I have to agree, it's probably cheaper and easier to sell and start over. Best of luck to you during your move!

 

[Texanjordan]

Spotbreast

Spotbreast

I'll be sure to let you know. I doubt adding another angel is a good idea. It may work in a very large tank, but I think to have a shot in a 90 you'd have to add them at the same time.

Anyone have any ideas on how to do this other than to start over?

I have a spot breast Angel right now, can anyone chime in if you can add a flame angel to a 90 with my spot breast? If not that one, I would love to take your fox face!

 

[rich130981]

It is expensive, but you could ask a friend or two to hold corals and fish. Do your move, and get your tank up and running. When the tank is ready, ship everything. I am setting up holding tanks for 200 nems.

 

[rich130981]

Maybe to cut down on cost you could sell a few pieces your not crazy about. Use that cash to ship what you really like.

 

[sonict72]

I would use a cooler with battery based air pump for aeration, like Azoo. People FedEx and UPS fish and corals all the time. This should not be that big of a deal.