Transporting 36 gallon

churc1ej · 10/20/2010, 08:11 PM

Hey all, just had some spare time and was thinking of what I'm going to do when I move out of my apartment around December. Does anyone have any helpful hints or suggestions on how I could or should go about this?? I have hermits, false perc. clown, and a starry blenny. I was thinking of just bagging everyone up and putting them in a styrofoam box and moving the 36 gallon with rock and sand as is, just covering the rock with damp towels. I've never transported any of my fish except for when i brought them home.
Thanks!!

usctrack · 10/20/2010, 08:14 PM

How far are you going? That will make a difference. I have used a power inverter for cars with an air pump and/or a powerhead.

Sugar Magnolia · 10/20/2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usctrack

How far are you going? That will make a difference. I have used a power inverter for cars with an air pump and/or a powerhead.

Good question. Across town or hours away? The advice will differ depending.

churc1ej · 10/20/2010, 08:35 PM

Durp, haha sorry, i meant to put that in there but got a bit scatterbrained. Its about a 3 hour car ride.

aquagirl70 · 10/21/2010, 05:11 PM

I moved a 37 gallon with texas holy rock, live sand, blennies and an assortment of fish 2 months ago. I siphoned out the water down to about 6 inches. Took out the rock and put it into the various buckets, making sure no one was hiding inside it. Took out the coral and put it in separate buckets. Left all of the fish in the tank for the ride hoping to avoid the trauma of netting them. I basically removed anything that could break the glass in transit, and kept everything submerged in various buckets, which by the way all had snap on lids.

I drove the whole thing about 40 minutes, and immediately re-assembled it. Everything was fine, except for the tangs which turned white and played dead for about 30 minutes. They woke up and are now fine. Everyone made it ok.

I think the most important thing was leaving the fish in the tank that they are used to. The drive was traumatic enough, I didn't think they would like being netted as well. Good luck.

lordofthereef · 10/21/2010, 06:26 PM

I don't mean to be rude to anyone recommending the use of bubblers, but unless you are literally going cross country, I don't see how they could ever be necessary. These animals get shipped and spend a minimum of 12 hours in their bags and do just fine. IMO air stones are just overkill and don't provide a whole lot of benefit.

usctrack · 10/25/2010, 07:03 AM

No worries. I didn't know the distance they would be traveling so I always say better save than sorry.

HKAVR45 · 10/25/2010, 07:47 AM

I've done this several times so far and it can be very frustrating. However with proper planning and the right equipment it can be done successfully.

First off, I would advise against moving the tank with the sand and rock inside it. You will crack the tank.

- Make lots of RODI water ahead of time and try to have 10 or so gallons of saltwater made up at your destination.

- I've had luck using 5 gallon buckets w/ lids from Home Depot or Lowes. The lids snap on and can take a lot of abuse without leaking.

- Take as much water with you from the old tank as possible.

- Siphon out the water into the 5g buckets. Put all of the rock in a bucket(s), coral in a bucket, and livestock in a bucket.

- Taking the sand with you could be tricky. I wouldn't leave it in the tank as because you could potentially crack the bottom. If you take it out try to rinse it as much as possible using salt water. (I just moved in May and I took all the sand with me. I'm battling a cycle and all kinds of algae issues).

- Since you're moving in the winter/cold, I'd have some heaters on hand at your destination to warm up the water for the livestock while you're re-assmbling the tank and the rock work.

- Don't try to move your belongings AND your tank on the same day. A complete tank move could take the better part of a day. Try to move the tank the weekend before/after your real move.

churc1ej · 10/27/2010, 08:50 PM

Thanks everyone, all great advice. I definitely feel quite a bit better about moving everything

10/20/2010, 08:11 PM	#1
churc1ej Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MI Posts: 19	Transporting 36 gallon Hey all, just had some spare time and was thinking of what I'm going to do when I move out of my apartment around December. Does anyone have any helpful hints or suggestions on how I could or should go about this?? I have hermits, false perc. clown, and a starry blenny. I was thinking of just bagging everyone up and putting them in a styrofoam box and moving the 36 gallon with rock and sand as is, just covering the rock with damp towels. I've never transported any of my fish except for when i brought them home. Thanks!!

10/20/2010, 08:14 PM	#2
usctrack Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham ,AL Posts: 378	How far are you going? That will make a difference. I have used a power inverter for cars with an air pump and/or a powerhead. __________________ JBJ 28 HQI running, 90g and 65g in storage for now

10/21/2010, 06:26 PM	#6
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I don't mean to be rude to anyone recommending the use of bubblers, but unless you are literally going cross country, I don't see how they could ever be necessary. These animals get shipped and spend a minimum of 12 hours in their bags and do just fine. IMO air stones are just overkill and don't provide a whole lot of benefit. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/25/2010, 07:03 AM	#7
usctrack Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham ,AL Posts: 378	No worries. I didn't know the distance they would be traveling so I always say better save than sorry. __________________ JBJ 28 HQI running, 90g and 65g in storage for now

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10/20/2010, 08:35 PM	#4
churc1ej Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MI Posts: 19	Durp, haha sorry, i meant to put that in there but got a bit scatterbrained. Its about a 3 hour car ride.

10/21/2010, 05:11 PM	#5
aquagirl70 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NY Tri state area, US Posts: 70	I moved a 37 gallon with texas holy rock, live sand, blennies and an assortment of fish 2 months ago. I siphoned out the water down to about 6 inches. Took out the rock and put it into the various buckets, making sure no one was hiding inside it. Took out the coral and put it in separate buckets. Left all of the fish in the tank for the ride hoping to avoid the trauma of netting them. I basically removed anything that could break the glass in transit, and kept everything submerged in various buckets, which by the way all had snap on lids. I drove the whole thing about 40 minutes, and immediately re-assembled it. Everything was fine, except for the tangs which turned white and played dead for about 30 minutes. They woke up and are now fine. Everyone made it ok. I think the most important thing was leaving the fish in the tank that they are used to. The drive was traumatic enough, I didn't think they would like being netted as well. Good luck.

10/25/2010, 07:47 AM	#8
HKAVR45 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 50	I've done this several times so far and it can be very frustrating. However with proper planning and the right equipment it can be done successfully. First off, I would advise against moving the tank with the sand and rock inside it. You will crack the tank. - Make lots of RODI water ahead of time and try to have 10 or so gallons of saltwater made up at your destination. - I've had luck using 5 gallon buckets w/ lids from Home Depot or Lowes. The lids snap on and can take a lot of abuse without leaking. - Take as much water with you from the old tank as possible. - Siphon out the water into the 5g buckets. Put all of the rock in a bucket(s), coral in a bucket, and livestock in a bucket. - Taking the sand with you could be tricky. I wouldn't leave it in the tank as because you could potentially crack the bottom. If you take it out try to rinse it as much as possible using salt water. (I just moved in May and I took all the sand with me. I'm battling a cycle and all kinds of algae issues). - Since you're moving in the winter/cold, I'd have some heaters on hand at your destination to warm up the water for the livestock while you're re-assmbling the tank and the rock work. - Don't try to move your belongings AND your tank on the same day. A complete tank move could take the better part of a day. Try to move the tank the weekend before/after your real move.

10/27/2010, 08:50 PM	#9
churc1ej Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MI Posts: 19	Thanks everyone, all great advice. I definitely feel quite a bit better about moving everything