Reef move, best methods

[buck50bmg]

In a year or so I will be moving my reef to a new house.

I would like to gather ideas to make it less stressfull on my corals, fish and me.

What I have so far is this:

1. As soon as I can, get a 150 or larger stock tank,light, skimmer, heater, pump etc...
2. Fill with SW from water changes from my reef.
3. Get about 500 lbs of LR
4. Put in tank.
5. let it go, may throw in some chromis or the like to get it going.

6. Buy house
7. Get keys
8. Set up a transition tank at the new house
9. Move stock tank and live rock, use as sump for transition tank.
10. Let it cycle for at least a month (still have rental where reef tank is)
11. Once cycled transfer, Coral with LR from reef to transition tank.

12. Transfer done.

13 Wait till new show tank is made, and take my time in setting it up.




This is just a quick blurb and needs some holes filled, but its a good start. I would like to make this into a document of some sort for others too.

Now this method is by far not cheap. Buying a seperate system to just do a transistion is going to cost me, but Im starting to gather it now. Also renting my place now, will allow me to take my time, but costs......

Big issues is to get the transition tank as ready as I can to take my SPS tank.

Some ideas to help the cycle.

1. Higher temperature (85 and up)
2. Start transfering fish slowly to allow system to normalize
3. Use tank water
4. Use good lighting and filtration on transtion tank.
5. Water change

 

[wld1783]

Kiddie pools work. commercial polypropaline (sp) tubs work better.

I moved a 300 gal from flordia to chicago using coolers for the live stock...A lot of airstones and a big hastle moving them into the hotel room and out the next morning. This is one thing the maid hasnt seen.

I moved half the water the rest was fresh top off. No problems other than the sand bed. That I would seed with a good portion of your original and use new for the rest. It will take a few days for the new sand bed to clear up. The corals and fish can handle a couple days in containers just make sure the temp is good and lots of airation.

I would not add new transshipped Live Rock as there is a cycle. Use dry reef rock instead to avoid this if your going to a bigger tank. Treat your current rock like your corals and you'll be happy.

Bill

 

[hos]

I would frag your corals and find a friend to put them in his tank till after the move so if you loose any in the move you have the frags to start over with .
I am doing just that right now for a friend .