Tank Move

koll12 · 05/06/2010, 12:42 AM

whats the best way to do a tank move if I'm moving across town, I have alot of zoos,Lps and about 8 fish...any suggestions on what the easiest process and less painless on the livestock ?? Any suggestions welcome

jbell370 · 05/06/2010, 05:42 AM

I did the same thing when I moved, it was a 70g 4ft tank. I basically drained the tank, some water in a tub with a heater for the fish, rocks I kept in several other tubs and corals in another tub. I did save as much water as I could. Once empty, I took the tank and stand to the new place, set it up, then went back and brought the tubs with everything else, added the water and rocks, topped up the tank with fresh saltwater and then added the fish and coral just as though I bought them from the store.

I ended up doing about a 50% water change with what I saved vs what I did not use, did not lose anything, but be prepared to do that the day of or after the move. I would plan on spending the day doing this.

sslak · 05/06/2010, 07:27 AM

Drain the water into buckets.

One big rock in each bucket of water (prevents smashing and breaking on each other).

Bag any loose coral frags.

Once the rocks are all out and there's just enough water for the fish to swim, bag each fish and put the bags in a styrofoam cooler.

Drain the water down to the sandbed.

Leave the sandbed in the tank and move it all!

When you fill back up, use the water you drained, but use a filter sock or something on the pump hose to difuse the spray and keep from disturbing your sandbed around too much. You can also put a rock in the bottom and direct the water onto the rock.

HAVE PLENT OF SALTWATER MIXED AND READY AT THE DESTINATION in case you spill.

larry joe · 05/06/2010, 09:03 AM

The logistics are a little difficult.I borrowed a 100 gal. tub and a 50 ft. hose and pump from LFS,then got a U-HAUL trailer (6x12).Had 50 gal.fresh SW in the back of my expedition.Fish went in buckets,inverts in another w/frags.I acclimated everyone at 74 deg. everone did good and I ended up w/ 0 nit.lol...Good luck dude,its something I pray I never have to do again.

05/06/2010, 12:42 AM	#1
koll12 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lincoln,NE Posts: 108	Tank Move whats the best way to do a tank move if I'm moving across town, I have alot of zoos,Lps and about 8 fish...any suggestions on what the easiest process and less painless on the livestock ?? Any suggestions welcome

05/06/2010, 07:27 AM	#3
sslak Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,705	Drain the water into buckets. One big rock in each bucket of water (prevents smashing and breaking on each other). Bag any loose coral frags. Once the rocks are all out and there's just enough water for the fish to swim, bag each fish and put the bags in a styrofoam cooler. Drain the water down to the sandbed. Leave the sandbed in the tank and move it all! When you fill back up, use the water you drained, but use a filter sock or something on the pump hose to difuse the spray and keep from disturbing your sandbed around too much. You can also put a rock in the bottom and direct the water onto the rock. HAVE PLENT OF SALTWATER MIXED AND READY AT THE DESTINATION in case you spill. __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 58 Oceanic/20g Sump/250w XM 20k/2x39w T5 True Actinic 03/2010 Reef Octopus NW Cone Skimmer

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05/06/2010, 05:42 AM	#2
jbell370 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: St. Catharines, Canada Posts: 143	I did the same thing when I moved, it was a 70g 4ft tank. I basically drained the tank, some water in a tub with a heater for the fish, rocks I kept in several other tubs and corals in another tub. I did save as much water as I could. Once empty, I took the tank and stand to the new place, set it up, then went back and brought the tubs with everything else, added the water and rocks, topped up the tank with fresh saltwater and then added the fish and coral just as though I bought them from the store. I ended up doing about a 50% water change with what I saved vs what I did not use, did not lose anything, but be prepared to do that the day of or after the move. I would plan on spending the day doing this.

05/06/2010, 09:03 AM	#4
larry joe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 66	The logistics are a little difficult.I borrowed a 100 gal. tub and a 50 ft. hose and pump from LFS,then got a U-HAUL trailer (6x12).Had 50 gal.fresh SW in the back of my expedition.Fish went in buckets,inverts in another w/frags.I acclimated everyone at 74 deg. everone did good and I ended up w/ 0 nit.lol...Good luck dude,its something I pray I never have to do again.