Moving soon. Tank transfer

mpderksen · 10/18/2014, 08:42 AM

I actually used the search button first before asking...
This will be great timing. I have been cycling all new rock since my old needs to be replaced. The tank needed a complete cleaning from a persistent GHA issue anyway. Not going bare bottom, but will only use a cup of the old sand.
I will use as much of the old water as possible. The physical move, while a headache, isn't the real question. The move is only a few miles. It's a great time to clean up my wiring too.
The questions:
1. I plan to move the corals into individual zip-lok bags, just like being shipped. This will keep them separate from each other. The frag tank can be set up in the new house pretty quick. How much time do I have? Are they okay in there for a full day?
2. 9 fish. How many can I keep in a single 5-gal bucket? Would they just kill each other (like the Foxface stinging everyone around it from stress)? All but the Kole are less than 3".
3. Cleaning the tank and equipment before I refill it. Bleach?

The whole goal, on top of just transferring it, is to eradicate the GHA from re growing once it's set up again.
I plan to replace only the fish and rock until I'm sure I don't have a fresh cycle, which I probably will. Then, pull the corals out of the frag tank and make that back into a QT.

d2mini · 10/18/2014, 09:05 AM

1. Get the coral to the new location and then into tubs. A small powerhead in each tub and a heater. This will let you keep them for a few days if you need to. Go to walmart for some big tubs, maybe you can find one big one or a couple smaller ones that will work.

2. As many buckets as you can. No one knows what your fish will do or how they will react. Better safe than sorry. Get them to the new location and into the same tubs you have the coral in.

3. Unless you are trying to eradicate something, just give it a good rinse and scrub off any algae you may need to.

Good luck!

toomany · 10/18/2014, 09:28 AM

If you are planning on having things down for more than a day or so, it might be a good idea to invest in some Brute cans or something like that. That way you can put the fish into something a little bigger. Plus side is you can always use them for something afterwards.

How big is the tank? Moving a 40 gallon is easier/faster than a 180.

mpderksen · 10/18/2014, 09:50 AM

75gal with 29 sump. It's acrylic, so the chances of busting a seam are minimized.
I have a 20 that I use for QT. Several buckets etc. a big brute w/ wheels that I use for making water, various totes, and a few 5-gal carboys.
I plan to buy some water in addition to making it, since I want to minimize the down-time. I figure a few fish can go into the 20 that I'll use for the corals, and 2-3 in each bucket. I'll keep the brute for mixing. A single tote will handle the rock to keep them wet.
I don't have extra PH and heaters, but the weather by then will be cool enough that I may need a 3-pack of 50Watt heaters.
Only real trick is that I don't have a light for the QT, which has been fine for use as a temporary fish house, but not so good for coral. My thinking is that it's still better than a 3-day blackout, which they have survived before.

d2mini · 10/18/2014, 01:59 PM

Coral are fine without light for 2-3 days.
Temp and flow are far more important.
Think of any extra heaters or powerbeads you have to buy as cheap insurance and backups for future emergencies.

muttley101 · 10/18/2014, 02:03 PM

rubbermaid troughs.. or anything food grade if you're leaving it in for a few days... And what D2 said.. Good luck and expect a casualty unfortunately.

10/18/2014, 08:42 AM	#1
mpderksen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manteca, CA Posts: 1,853	Moving soon. Tank transfer I actually used the search button first before asking... This will be great timing. I have been cycling all new rock since my old needs to be replaced. The tank needed a complete cleaning from a persistent GHA issue anyway. Not going bare bottom, but will only use a cup of the old sand. I will use as much of the old water as possible. The physical move, while a headache, isn't the real question. The move is only a few miles. It's a great time to clean up my wiring too. The questions: 1. I plan to move the corals into individual zip-lok bags, just like being shipped. This will keep them separate from each other. The frag tank can be set up in the new house pretty quick. How much time do I have? Are they okay in there for a full day? 2. 9 fish. How many can I keep in a single 5-gal bucket? Would they just kill each other (like the Foxface stinging everyone around it from stress)? All but the Kole are less than 3". 3. Cleaning the tank and equipment before I refill it. Bleach? The whole goal, on top of just transferring it, is to eradicate the GHA from re growing once it's set up again. I plan to replace only the fish and rock until I'm sure I don't have a fresh cycle, which I probably will. Then, pull the corals out of the frag tank and make that back into a QT.

10/18/2014, 09:05 AM	#2
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	1. Get the coral to the new location and then into tubs. A small powerhead in each tub and a heater. This will let you keep them for a few days if you need to. Go to walmart for some big tubs, maybe you can find one big one or a couple smaller ones that will work. 2. As many buckets as you can. No one knows what your fish will do or how they will react. Better safe than sorry. Get them to the new location and into the same tubs you have the coral in. 3. Unless you are trying to eradicate something, just give it a good rinse and scrub off any algae you may need to. Good luck! __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

10/18/2014, 01:59 PM	#5
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Coral are fine without light for 2-3 days. Temp and flow are far more important. Think of any extra heaters or powerbeads you have to buy as cheap insurance and backups for future emergencies. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

10/18/2014, 09:28 AM	#3
toomany Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 84	If you are planning on having things down for more than a day or so, it might be a good idea to invest in some Brute cans or something like that. That way you can put the fish into something a little bigger. Plus side is you can always use them for something afterwards. How big is the tank? Moving a 40 gallon is easier/faster than a 180.

10/18/2014, 09:50 AM	#4
mpderksen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manteca, CA Posts: 1,853	75gal with 29 sump. It's acrylic, so the chances of busting a seam are minimized. I have a 20 that I use for QT. Several buckets etc. a big brute w/ wheels that I use for making water, various totes, and a few 5-gal carboys. I plan to buy some water in addition to making it, since I want to minimize the down-time. I figure a few fish can go into the 20 that I'll use for the corals, and 2-3 in each bucket. I'll keep the brute for mixing. A single tote will handle the rock to keep them wet. I don't have extra PH and heaters, but the weather by then will be cool enough that I may need a 3-pack of 50Watt heaters. Only real trick is that I don't have a light for the QT, which has been fine for use as a temporary fish house, but not so good for coral. My thinking is that it's still better than a 3-day blackout, which they have survived before.

10/18/2014, 02:03 PM	#6
muttley101 Never go full retard! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento Posts: 524	rubbermaid troughs.. or anything food grade if you're leaving it in for a few days... And what D2 said.. Good luck and expect a casualty unfortunately.