Suggestions for transporting 29gal

[Tampico]

I have never kept a salt water tank before but have been reading alot about the hobby for the past few months. I obtained a 75 gallon tank and have started to begin to purchase the needed items for setup. This has been a slow and costly endeavor. I had hoped to have all the needed hardware in order to purchase LR in May. Today a opportunity surfaced for the following.

29 gallon salt-water tank
- 30 lbs. of live tonga rock
- crushed coral substrate
- Tetra Live well filtration system
- Sea Clone protein skimmer
- Lots of extras

All the testing equipment and chemicals. I have read reviews about the skimmer and that part scares me but the LR is worth what they are asking. Better to buy this system as a SW newb (15years FW experience rift cichlids) and maybe seed the 75 with this if I still enjoy SW a few months down the road?

Also .... any pointers on packing up this setup and trucking in 20mins down the road for resetup?

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/Tampico96/29_gal.jpg

 

[egdevilboy]

wrap the LR in wet newspaper and place in thermo...
drain 99% h2o, leave enough for live sand
put tank in back seat and drive...

I did it with a 45 and it worked out well.

h2o weight 8.3 lbs per gallon so the more you can take out the better.

 

[Fast Fred]

Nice looking set-up! I hope you got a good deal on it.

Rubbermade make trash cans called Brute. They come with lids and are great for moving a tank. Try and transport as much of the water as you can - at least 75%. Remove the rock from the tank and place in a Brute also. Keep it wet, or better yet, submeged during the trip. Have some extra SW made up at home for when you get there, as you may lose some to spillage. Transport the fish in a seperate container, and if need me, put an aerator and heater in the bucket when you get home if set-up is going to take more than 2 hours or so.

 

[Tampico]

Not really sure thought it was good deal. $150

I have several 30gal totes.. thought I could fill with some of the water .. and place some rocks in each tote with water covering.. lid on for splashing. Fish in a 5gal pail (homer bucket) lid on? Inch or so water over sand and move tank?

I have a jeep cherokee so I have in vehical room to move this

 

[Tampico]

oh and had hoped to take all the water... I have 8 totes from christmas. Changed all the blue totes to green and red to make it easier to find christmas decorations next year. I saw too many totes with baby clothes in them and no christmas stuff.

Tonga rock is $5 a pound @ ThatPetPlace so I thought the price was fair... thoughts?

I also have a 45 brute can I could use. I have that for summer's pond expansion... gonna make a skippy filter.

 

[snart]

Here is what I would suggest, first place the brute or whatever will fit in your trunk, get a cheap pump from home depot, pump your water from tank to totes, because it will be heavy to carry.when you get to your destination, use the pump to put water back to your tank.