My 8 month old tank and "the Challenge" (pics included)

[shaft187420]

Well I decided to finally upload some pics of my 65 gal. I've done a lot of research on how to keep my tank running well and used to work for a LFS. I do weekly 20 gal water changes and have never lost a coral. Although I did have one that was almost completely eaten by an urchin. The urchin was promptly removed. Luckily 1 or 2 polyps survived and I can see new growth from whats left.

"The Challenge" is this, I'm going to be moving in about 2 months. The trip should only take about 30 min. I'm considering hiring people from my old LFS to come out to help me move since I don't have a truck to carry the tank, and it would be nice to have some extra help to get it downstairs. Even with the help I'm still worried about the move, any words of wisdom from people who have done this successfully before?

You can see more pics on my myspace page http://www.myspace.com/fishmanduece

So if anyone has any advice on a tank move, I would really appreciate it. I plan on having lots of water ready.

Also if you have any Questions or comments in general about the tank feel free!

 

[dc_909]

It' easy. You really only need one other person.

Just get LOTS of buckets to house most of your water and all your livestock.

 

[Zoa Girl]

What are the pink and yellow polyps shown in your myspace pics? They are beautiful.

 

[jakkalofv]

those are sun coral

 

[Zoa Girl]

Thank you...I really have to look into gettingsome of those

 

[dogstar74]

One thing that I have done, is be sure not to use the sand bed again in the new tank, unless you can move the tank without disturbing the sand, (I doubt). But the anerobes in the tank will poison the water column. So replace the sandbed. Take the livestock that you can and place them in a cooler with an airstone. They can survive a long time with only an airstone. Don't put a power head in the cooler, as the motor will gradually heat the water up, and the cooler is great at keeping the heat in. When you are moving, drill a small hole in the top of the cooler, right in the middle to avoid the most splashes. Then run an airline with airstone into the cooler. Next, add a battery powered airpump. And third Duct tape the cooler lid all the way around the perimeter. We found that putting towels down around the outside of the cooler caught all the spillage.

Place anything you want to survive for a long time in the cooler. Even corals will do ok, so long as they can't slide around and bump into everything or each other.

I have moved my tank over 2650 miles this way. I have never lost a fish from my methods. I did lose an angel fish due to having to have the LFS in the new area watch him. He developed popeye and died later.

OH I must add, that I usually take some of my liverock in the cooler with the fish. So long as it can't slide around and smash them. This gives bio filtration while they are in transit. Also if you can't put the LR in the cooler, due to too many fish or sliding and unstable conditions, then a couple of weeks before your move, you can run an eclipse, or penguin type filter on your tank. Then once the wheel filter has established bacteria, then you can just let the wheel float around in the tank with the fish. It won't hurt them, then you can set up the filter on the edge of the cooler if you need to while the new sandbed settles, or the LR cycles or something.

Keep spare fresh Salt water on hand so that you can do a water change if you need to, and test the cooler for Ammonia, and Nitrites.

Sorry for the long post, this is probably overkill for a 30 minute move, but it kept my babies alive across this country twice!

Good luck with the move!

Aaron

 

[hobbzz]

Beautiful gorg!