Having to switch rooms around unexpectedly. This includes moving my 29g down the hall and one flight of stairs. LFS says break it all down into containers, move the empty tank to the new room and start over, including new substrate. Naive I guess, but I was thinking of removing all hardware, half my water and LR and placing the tank on a sturdy, flat surface: not so much of a start over. Thoughts?
Seeking tank move advice
- Thread starter Norward
- Start date
shackscs
Super Premier Member
The problem that you will run into is disturbing the sand bed. There is quite a bit of stuff locked in there and disturbing the bed too much can be a disaster.
I would put the water into buckets. Take out the rocks and place them in the containers holding the water. Put a large trash bag over the sand in the tank to keep everything in place.
When going down the flight of stairs try to keep the tank as level as possible so as to minimize disturbing the sand bed too much.
Once at te nw location leave the bag in the tank and fill the tank pouring the water on the trash bag. Once you are done, start adding back your rocks.
Minimal stuff turned over and your losses may be minimal if not uneventful. Make sure you check your params after the move.
Good luck.
I would put the water into buckets. Take out the rocks and place them in the containers holding the water. Put a large trash bag over the sand in the tank to keep everything in place.
When going down the flight of stairs try to keep the tank as level as possible so as to minimize disturbing the sand bed too much.
Once at te nw location leave the bag in the tank and fill the tank pouring the water on the trash bag. Once you are done, start adding back your rocks.
Minimal stuff turned over and your losses may be minimal if not uneventful. Make sure you check your params after the move.
Good luck.
You might consider setting up a large (rubbermaid or trash can) container that you could place all your livestock along with pump and heater etc. while you relocate the tank and reset the rock structure and wait for the dust to clear...they will be fine for a couple days in a bucket, and that way you can have plenty of time to arrange your new set up.
P.S. ...
If you do attempt to move the tank as you mention...
First drain and save all the water. Siphon the cleanest water into large bucket for you to put your livestock. Second buck of water for all L.R / decorations.Drain water until it barely covers the sand bed to reduce as much weight as possible to avoid cracking the tank when you move it.
Once the tank is in its new spot use a large glass bowl set on the bottom to pour your water back into so as to disturbe your sandbed little as possible. Add rockwork and begin running filtration a.s.a.p. and you should be able to reintroduce your livestock with no problems
If you do attempt to move the tank as you mention...
First drain and save all the water. Siphon the cleanest water into large bucket for you to put your livestock. Second buck of water for all L.R / decorations.Drain water until it barely covers the sand bed to reduce as much weight as possible to avoid cracking the tank when you move it.
Once the tank is in its new spot use a large glass bowl set on the bottom to pour your water back into so as to disturbe your sandbed little as possible. Add rockwork and begin running filtration a.s.a.p. and you should be able to reintroduce your livestock with no problems
mikesnoddy
New member
how long will your move take?
how long will your move take?
If it's going to be a quick move to the new location, just drain the water enough to move it downstairs. The sandbed won't be disturbed that much. Back in college I moved a 75 gallon an hour away. I drained it to about 4 inches above the sandbed. Stored all livestock in a Rubbermaid. Just keep livestock at a good temp and you will make this move without trouble. On a side note. If you don't have what your really wanting in a tank. This is the best time to make changes and upgrades.
how long will your move take?
If it's going to be a quick move to the new location, just drain the water enough to move it downstairs. The sandbed won't be disturbed that much. Back in college I moved a 75 gallon an hour away. I drained it to about 4 inches above the sandbed. Stored all livestock in a Rubbermaid. Just keep livestock at a good temp and you will make this move without trouble. On a side note. If you don't have what your really wanting in a tank. This is the best time to make changes and upgrades.
Thanks to all for the excellent feedback. A full weekend plan will be to move the water into Livestock and LR containers Saturday morning as Bodibuilt suggested, cover the gravel to reduce movement, move the tank downstairs, and then put the LR and it's water back in the the tank that morning, along with adding some fresh saltwater to dilute potential toxins. I'll let that settle and filter overnight, add part of the livestock water the next morning and check parameters before acclimating the fish/CUC back in later in the day on Sunday. Darn you Mikesnoddy for mentioning upgrade, as I looked at a 75g tank/stand at my LFS just today! It's what I should have started with from the beginning.
loosecannon
New member
I have done this with a 75 gal. , I put in buckets and keep all sand in it. most of the rock, and 25% of the water. keep old water and I put it back in no one died. lps sofftys spotted mandy, even a T. crocea.
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