Tank move

[mike660r]

Well folks,

The time table has been moved up on relocating. My fiance' felt we needed to move before our July wedding. So, we started hunting for homes. Last Sunday we found a place 4938 ft away that will suit our needs for the next 5 years. The good news is that it will support a much larger tank than my current residence. I will be starting a new thread to document its construction. I am sure it will take a year or so to get it fully operational. Just on some pre-measurements It will be a 400+ main display as I had hoped for.

Now, onto the part were I would like to ask for some help. It looks like we are going to close on the house June 8th. I am thinking I would like to try and move my 180 and all its equipment the next weekend the 16th or 17th. I know it's a little far out to be bringing this up. However, I want this planned out as best as it possibly can be. So, if any of you are willing to lend a hand. Please let me know and mark your calendars for that date. I believe 5-6 people should be more than enough. Great Lakes beer and lunch will be provided. Not to mention the unplanned fragging that always happens with a tank move. I promise to make this as organized as possible for any that assists and for my tank inhabitants.

Mike C.

 

[smmscott]

I can help

I can help

I should be around for a good part of it if it sunday. Keep us posted as the date gets closer
Scott

 

[Tbohinc]

ill help to just remind me a few weeks before

 

[mike660r]

Sweet.. I 'll be sure and keep you all posted

 

[funkyman]

That's right about the time we go somewhere on vacation, but I really don't see that happening this year. I'll talk to the Mrs. and see what's up. If nothing's going on I'd be happy to help. I'll get back after checking.

 

[bond007069]

hmmm........

Beer and Food


Sound like you need some one to SUPERVISE .......i be there

:lol:

 

[scottfarcuz]

Hey Mike,
I will help. I've also got a good pump to transfer water long distance, and some good lengths of hose, smaller tubs etc. if you need me to bring anything just let me know. I've moved more than a few tanks in the last 15 years.

Last time I moved I found it a LOT easier to bum a stock tank off Kevin that would hold all my tanks contents. made setup a lot faster, and I didn't have to rush to get the tank plumed back the same day. 2 or 3 big tubs maybe better with some of the monster colonies you have?

By the way I think Andy should get the job of scooping all the sand out

 

[bond007069]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9832247#post9832247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scottfarcuz

By the way I think Andy should get the job of scooping all the sand out

What do you want to see me PUKE my guts out

:eek2:

I say Farcus gets the to chug the mulm........

 

[scottfarcuz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9832309#post9832309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bond007069
I say Farcus gets the to chug the mulm........

I got a mouthful of the nasty black scum last time I moved. I thought I was going to blow chunks, but Kevin was laughing at me so hard I think he almost did also...

I'm really excited to see what Mike comes up with for a 400+. You decided on who is going to build it yet?

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9832117#post9832117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bond007069
Sound like you need some one to SUPERVISE .......i be there

:lol:

Thats my job man. I want to see everyone else sweat

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9832247#post9832247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scottfarcuz
Hey Mike,
I will help. I've also got a good pump to transfer water long distance, and some good lengths of hose, smaller tubs etc. if you need me to bring anything just let me know. I've moved more than a few tanks in the last 15 years.

Last time I moved I found it a LOT easier to bum a stock tank off Kevin that would hold all my tanks contents. made setup a lot faster, and I didn't have to rush to get the tank plumed back the same day. 2 or 3 big tubs maybe better with some of the monster colonies you have?

By the way I think Andy should get the job of scooping all the sand out

I have plenty of pumps and hoses for the job. I am contemplating the best way to transfer everything. You hit a good point. I don't want have to break my neck trying to get everything apart and moved at lightening speed. I'd like to take everything out and be able to place all the corals in a holding bin or bins then move the tank and get it hooked back up and refilled. The good thing is that the tank does not have to go back together in a show format. It is going into the basement in a temporary staging area. I plan to use the 180 as my sump in my new fish room. I may as well put it down there now.

As for the sand I will try my best to start siphoning it out now and the tank will go back up BB.

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9832371#post9832371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scottfarcuz
I got a mouthful of the nasty black scum last time I moved. I thought I was going to blow chunks, but Kevin was laughing at me so hard I think he almost did also...

I'm really excited to see what Mike comes up with for a 400+. You decided on who is going to build it yet?

Been there done that on sucking up the nasty goo before ... blahhhhhaa....

Thanks man, I am excited to see what will happen myself. I haven't fully commited to a one builder yet. I want to visit a few peoples homes and see how their tanks turned out. I have been kicking around Aquarium Obsessed since they are only a few hours away. I may just take a trip up and tour their facility if that is an option.

 

[bond007069]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9832522#post9832522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mike660r

As for the sand I will try my best to start siphoning it out now and the tank will go back up BB.

There you go son

:beer:

 

[itZme]

Mike I'd be willing to pitch in. I have helped tear down and set up a certain 210g reef TWICE

I did get some nice carpentry work out of it though.

I might "accidentally" bump your corals but it's ok I'll have plenty of bags in my pockets to catch the pieces :lol:

Let me know when details are ironed out. If it's on a weekend where my wife works I will have to find someone to watch the 3 kids for me but it could still happen.

-- Kevin

 

[Cove Beach]

Count me in as well, i also have a sturdy appliance dolly and several carts that will take alot of weight. Plus a couple sizes of trailers from 12 to 24 feet.

 

[scottfarcuz]

This would be my plan.

With the amount of coral you have I would setup 2 or 3 stock tanks at the new place with whatever percent of new water you are comfortable with. Get 10 or so decent size (30g?) rubbermaids and maybe another 100g stock tank for the back of the truck. The 100g tank in the truck I would use for the biggest corals/rocks, and the space for water volume wont hurt. Get enough hose to reach from the tanks to the trucks at both places.

IME a few decent size coolers work best for the fish. Its nice to set them up close to the tank with some flow/air so you can keep the fish in during the whole move without worry, and don't have to try to catch them all at once. I like coolers better for them as they seem to calm down quickly in the darkness. I would probably just use a small maxi jet in each with a venturi hose hanging out the top. I don't think heat would be of concern in June with coolers.Rounding up a few small heaters, and making sure they are set correctly might not hurt. Something could come up causing them to sit longer than expected.

At the old place
Put corals/rocks in 30g tub, and carry to truck dry. Pump water from tank to truck to then fill the tubs with tank water as they are loaded, or put in stock tank. Once everything you can haul in one trip is loaded you grab the pump and go to the stock tanks at the new place. Pump water from the truck to the tanks, and again haul coral/rock in dry in the smaller tubs. Then just unload the rock/coral into the stock tanks.

This should keep air exposure to a real minimum, and the only water you have to carry is with the fish. IME this easily buys you a few days to get the tank setup while corals, fish, and rocks are in stocks tanks with just heat and flow.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9832522#post9832522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mike660r

As for the sand I will try my best to start siphoning it out now and the tank will go back up BB.

The million $ question is will the new tank be BB? Be careful removing the sand. I think doing it now where you can more easily monitor the tank perameters maybe best. I did it during a move, and as a result lost a lot of coral. IMO the rock needs time to to be able to adjust to the bioload the sand is helping with now. I think the stress on the sytem from the move and losing the surface area of even a ssb was too much at once.

 

[ReefWidowed]

Kevin, if your wife is working, I can watch your munchkins while Scott (smmscott) is playing with you boys....it'll keep me (mostly) out of trouble.

 

[maggie]

i would be glad to help

 

[DaveOSU]

Tank moving 101.

Sounds like a hands on program for a June C-sea meeting; alternate location to be anounced......

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9837316#post9837316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaveOSU
Tank moving 101.

Sounds like a hands on program for a June C-sea meeting; alternate location to be anounced......

Man.. thats one hell of an idea. Everyone can come see what to do and what not to do. I love that idea