Moving ACROSS the US: Planning and prep

Newreeflady · 03/19/2008, 12:00 AM

Hi all!

I'll be making the move from Berkeley, CA to Ithaca, NY this summer. I will be planning the logistics of the move next week (my spring break.)

So far:

Keeping:
-Fish
-Clams (crocea)
-Coral (gorgonian, monti cap, blasto)
-Rock
-Aquarium ++ all equipment

I was thinking that I would set up a holding tank over spring break where I'll put a chunk of live rock, pumps, heater... but no fish. Should I consider buying a temporary fish to keep it seasoned? (I hate doing this.)

I then want to move my stuff to the holding tank for up to 10 days while I make the drive out to NY, make water & set back up the main aquarium, and either fly back to ship the fish or have a friend do it (scary.)

Some thoughts so far:

-Ammonia in holding tank
-Ammonia in tank after setting back up in NY
-low light for holding tank (only a 13w PC bulb)

How long will my clams and coral be OK with just a junk pc bulb (going from halide 250w?)

Thoughts on hauling the rock across the country with minimal die-off?

Other thoughts?

I've made some moves, but nothing this far with a tank. Thx!~

-A

CleveYank · 03/19/2008, 06:28 AM

If I were you, I would get a cooler(s) large enough to house everything and yet small enough to fit in my car and carry. I would get a power inverter for my car rated for 100 to 300 watts. I would use a small air pump that was adjustable or get a valve for it. I would run an airstone off that. I would get a 25 or 50 watt heater and find a way to isolate it from touching the inside of the cooler (don't want to run risk of melting it) I would make gasket around the airline tubing with something just high enough to keep weight of lid from pinching airline. I would then duct tape the cooler shut.

I would use one or two coolers this way filled just enough to cover inhabitant yet low enough to allow for some sloshing (bumbs and starts and stops included).

You would want this so that you can lift it out (remember 10 gallons of fish tank weighs 100 pounds + without the rock figured in) to put this mobile fish system into hotel each night you stay somewhere where you can use your pc light. Keeping the temp (after you have test ran the little heater to keep things spot on where you want it unless you have heater controller) would be a really good idea. Also, you would want to shut this all off whenever you left the car for nature and food breaks so that you don't kill car battery. Bring extra bladed car fuses for 12 volt cig/acc plug in car too.

If I had to move things on a big drive that is how I'd do it. Or you could just bag it all and wing it.

InLimbo87 · 03/19/2008, 10:12 AM

Tagging along for more ideas, as I may be moving from Fl to AZ/NV in a year or so.

Newreeflady · 03/19/2008, 11:05 AM

That sounds awesome. I thought about that. But, I have some concerns about the idea.

a) I have no car, i'll be driving a Penske. Probably not a problem, although I have no idea about power inverters, particularly if there is anything in the Penske cabin to hook it to??

b) sloshing: That could really be a problem for the animals, don't you think? I can imagine the 'waves' being rather violent on a drive across the country.

I definitely won't count this out. Has anyone done this?

thx!
-A

silverking · 03/19/2008, 01:39 PM

i moved my 50 gallon from florida to ohio i used a 20 gallon rubbermaid bin filled about 3/4 with water. used the seat belt to secure it on the front seat.
placed all the rock, coral and 4 fish all in the bin i used a canister filter fluval 104 for circulation, hooked up to a power inverter..(you can get these from a truck stop or maybe wall mart for 20 bucks) they plug into cig lighter.
anyway i also put a therm in so i could moniter the temp. i didn't use a heater just kept the cab of the truck warm and the water temp stayed around 72.
i wouldn't worry about the sloshing just put alot of towels down i lost probaly a gallon or so the whole trip
everything survived the trip
i drove pretty much non stop so this might be a problem for you with such a long trip but if you bring an extension cord to plug in pwrhead or something when you stop you should be ok

Newreeflady · 03/19/2008, 03:57 PM

I think I might do this... take them in the truck with me, that is. I have asked a friend to drive with me across country, which saves us some stops. There were some good tips http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume...3i6/Moving.htm

I'd love to hear from more who've accomplished a 2-4 day move.

thx,
-A

03/19/2008, 12:00 AM	#1
Newreeflady Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 4,840	Moving ACROSS the US: Planning and prep Hi all! I'll be making the move from Berkeley, CA to Ithaca, NY this summer. I will be planning the logistics of the move next week (my spring break.) So far: Keeping: -Fish -Clams (crocea) -Coral (gorgonian, monti cap, blasto) -Rock -Aquarium ++ all equipment I was thinking that I would set up a holding tank over spring break where I'll put a chunk of live rock, pumps, heater... but no fish. Should I consider buying a temporary fish to keep it seasoned? (I hate doing this.) I then want to move my stuff to the holding tank for up to 10 days while I make the drive out to NY, make water & set back up the main aquarium, and either fly back to ship the fish or have a friend do it (scary.) Some thoughts so far: -Ammonia in holding tank -Ammonia in tank after setting back up in NY -low light for holding tank (only a 13w PC bulb) How long will my clams and coral be OK with just a junk pc bulb (going from halide 250w?) Thoughts on hauling the rock across the country with minimal die-off? Other thoughts? I've made some moves, but nothing this far with a tank. Thx!~ -A __________________ A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.” Current Tank Info: 56g, 20g.

03/19/2008, 10:12 AM	#3
InLimbo87 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 3,197	Tagging along for more ideas, as I may be moving from Fl to AZ/NV in a year or so. __________________ We are forever responsible for that which we tame... Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

03/19/2008, 11:05 AM	#4
Newreeflady Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 4,840	That sounds awesome. I thought about that. But, I have some concerns about the idea. a) I have no car, i'll be driving a Penske. Probably not a problem, although I have no idea about power inverters, particularly if there is anything in the Penske cabin to hook it to?? b) sloshing: That could really be a problem for the animals, don't you think? I can imagine the 'waves' being rather violent on a drive across the country. I definitely won't count this out. Has anyone done this? thx! -A __________________ A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.” Current Tank Info: 56g, 20g.

03/19/2008, 03:57 PM	#6
Newreeflady Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 4,840	I think I might do this... take them in the truck with me, that is. I have asked a friend to drive with me across country, which saves us some stops. There were some good tips http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume...3i6/Moving.htm I'd love to hear from more who've accomplished a 2-4 day move. thx, -A __________________ A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.” Current Tank Info: 56g, 20g.

03/19/2008, 06:28 AM	#2
CleveYank 20 Years and Over Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 3,052	If I were you, I would get a cooler(s) large enough to house everything and yet small enough to fit in my car and carry. I would get a power inverter for my car rated for 100 to 300 watts. I would use a small air pump that was adjustable or get a valve for it. I would run an airstone off that. I would get a 25 or 50 watt heater and find a way to isolate it from touching the inside of the cooler (don't want to run risk of melting it) I would make gasket around the airline tubing with something just high enough to keep weight of lid from pinching airline. I would then duct tape the cooler shut. I would use one or two coolers this way filled just enough to cover inhabitant yet low enough to allow for some sloshing (bumbs and starts and stops included). You would want this so that you can lift it out (remember 10 gallons of fish tank weighs 100 pounds + without the rock figured in) to put this mobile fish system into hotel each night you stay somewhere where you can use your pc light. Keeping the temp (after you have test ran the little heater to keep things spot on where you want it unless you have heater controller) would be a really good idea. Also, you would want to shut this all off whenever you left the car for nature and food breaks so that you don't kill car battery. Bring extra bladed car fuses for 12 volt cig/acc plug in car too. If I had to move things on a big drive that is how I'd do it. Or you could just bag it all and wing it.

03/19/2008, 01:39 PM	#5
silverking Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Ridgeville, OH Posts: 361	i moved my 50 gallon from florida to ohio i used a 20 gallon rubbermaid bin filled about 3/4 with water. used the seat belt to secure it on the front seat. placed all the rock, coral and 4 fish all in the bin i used a canister filter fluval 104 for circulation, hooked up to a power inverter..(you can get these from a truck stop or maybe wall mart for 20 bucks) they plug into cig lighter. anyway i also put a therm in so i could moniter the temp. i didn't use a heater just kept the cab of the truck warm and the water temp stayed around 72. i wouldn't worry about the sloshing just put alot of towels down i lost probaly a gallon or so the whole trip everything survived the trip i drove pretty much non stop so this might be a problem for you with such a long trip but if you bring an extension cord to plug in pwrhead or something when you stop you should be ok