Best way to move a tank?

Wingman6 · 06/26/2015, 11:46 AM

I'm moving to another home and kicking around the best way to move my reef tank. Any suggestions?

I'm mostly concerned about best way to move the coral and fish.

If I move the sand should I rinse it? How long should the tank cycle? How many days have people had theirs down?

steallife904 · 06/26/2015, 11:55 AM

how big is the tank and how far? i moved across town a few years ago and didnt want to go about moving my 90 gal tank myself so i hired my LFS to help. They brough 3 guys over to break it down, put fish and corals in different containers and move the tank. I replaced the sand when i moved it.

Hawk72 · 06/26/2015, 12:17 PM

The area I am in has a company that specializes in moving aquariums. It was very reasonable and well worth the cost. I have moved my own tanks before and it is a hassle. The movers showed up with all the necessary equipment (buckets, totes, extra water, etc.) to move. They even cleaned all my equipment. Like I said well worth the cost if you can find one in your area.

schatzi · 06/26/2015, 12:39 PM

if it were me and I could do it in one day i would use 5 gallon buckets for the fish and rock. Have new water ready, re-use the transport water, top off with new saltwater, put in new rinsed sand and you should be good to go. I have moved livestock and rock this way that i bought off CL. In that case I did not use the transport water but all the rock just went in my current system. In theory if you keep the rock submerged you shouldn't see another cycle.

Wingman6 · 06/26/2015, 01:36 PM

Sorry should have stated size. Haha. Moving probably across town and the tank is 180.

Sk8r · 06/26/2015, 01:52 PM

If you have the option at the destination, go in early and set up an uncycled qt for the fish and corals. With lights, if you have corals. Get that going. Move them first, if you can. Then (being sure to devise bracing to protect any bottom bulkheads on the tank during moving---it can't sit flat on the floor with bottom bulkheads---) put your rock in a bucket(s) wrapped in wet newspaper and toss the sand. Move everything. Take care of your fish til tomorrow. Do setup on the tank, with new (washed!!! which will take all day) sand---and your old rock, add water (ro from the supermarket, figuring it'll take way too long to run enough ro/di in the new place. Or set up a ro/di to run into Brute trashcans and just keep 'em coming) ---do your setup, and at least submerge the rock and sand as you continue to produce rodi and add more. This may take a couple of days. Even with the all-live rock, it'll take about 5 days of full operation for it to cycle and accept the fish and corals. And honestly, start with the inverts. Most corals are tougher than your fish, in terms of a new tank. (they also don't produce heavy poo).
Gradually, work the fish in.

Wishing you luck. Been there, got several tee-shirts. NEVER depend on a store getting something in for your move---I did all the above and went to pick up my new sump, only to hear it was on backorder.

gone fishin · 06/26/2015, 02:11 PM

When I moved from Connecticut to Wisconsin I sold my live stock and put my rocks in totes dry. The moving company crated my tank. I am glad I did it that way there was enough stress unpacking and getting the house in order. The tank got set up about 3 months after the move.

tzylak · 06/26/2015, 03:08 PM

All mentioned above are good options.
I placed most rocks in buckets to lighten the load but left enough water (8-10") to cover whatever remained, including the fish. -Not disturbing the bottom made for a quick recovery from the move with minimal stress to all creatures.

I purchased a 4x8 foot panel of 1" insulation foam at Home Depot and cut it to closely fit the INSIDE of the tank to eliminate splashing during transport. Once cut, I placed a plastic foil on top of the DT water as a moisture/contaminant barrier, then that foam plate, then wedged vertical columns of that foam between the flat plate and the top rim of the tank to keep the flat plate down and stable. -Virtually no water movement during the hour-long transport.

The next day the tank was up and running as if it never moved.

Yes, it is a day-long process, so try to dedicate one day just to move the aquarium, and separate from the rest of your stuff. Brace yourself with patience to do it slowly and RIGHT. Get 3 or four guys to help you in the process. -You will need some muscle.

Yes, moving companies might do just fine but I doubt that I could just WATCH them do it without BUTTING IN to their displeasure.
Good luck!!

Sk8r · 06/26/2015, 03:18 PM

Also, when you set up, get a number of dinner-plate size teflon glides and put them inconspicuously and permanently under the tank stand. This means you can always reposition it in an emergency by dramatically lowering the water level into Rubbermaid Brutes and scooting it, then rewatering.

Let me tell you---that saved our sanity with a corner wedge tank when we had a bottom bulkhead problem and decided to replace the bulkhead connector with a full and functioning tank.

larrysmith75 · 06/26/2015, 03:20 PM

Just curious. why get new sand? I'm moving also and looking for tips. I have multiple tanks.

Wsufan18 · 06/26/2015, 09:38 PM

I just bought, disassembled and moved a 240 tank, 150 sump and about 300lbs of live rock and livestock to my home. 6 hr drive. I used brute cans, 100g stock tank and tubs and buckets. Moved live rock into tubs and stock tank as well as pumped tank water into them at same time. Caught livestock and put into bags and tubs. Live sand into buckets then disassembled tank etc. and loaded into rented trailer. Once home I kept containers in garage with heaters and pumps, livestock went into my existing tank. A month later moved rock/sand into new tank. having an existing tank gave me the freedom to take my time in setting up new tank and equipment. And past experience has taught me to not rush ANYTHING in this hobby, including setup. Make yourself a small established tank or find a friend with one you could use. No need to rinse sand and no tank cycle if you can manage to keep your water moving during move/storage.

Wingman6 · 06/27/2015, 01:03 AM

Lots of good suggestions. I'm definitely considering using this "opportunity" to upgrade to a larger tank. Next step is the wife approval. I sent a 1000 gallon tank for sale in my area today and she about lost it.

I have to fully break down and empty the tank as the room it is currently in needs some fancy maneuvers to remove the tank.

Regarding the sand, my main concern was built up stuff from the anaerobic processes that now get mixed in. I was thinking to just rinse it a ton and see how that goes but not worth risking the whole tank.

Wsufan18 · 06/29/2015, 10:21 PM

I rinsed my used sand. I actually just dumped in into my new tank and rinsed it a few times in the tank. Smelled like rotten eggs for a few hrs but cleared up and has been just fine for over a month. Sand is sand. Live sand dies and then becomes alive again. Why buy new? Save your money and rinse. Good luck.

MondoBongo · 06/30/2015, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wsufan18

I rinsed my used sand. I actually just dumped in into my new tank and rinsed it a few times in the tank. Smelled like rotten eggs for a few hrs but cleared up and has been just fine for over a month. Sand is sand. Live sand dies and then becomes alive again. Why buy new? Save your money and rinse. Good luck.

because sand can trap detritus and other nasties. the rotten egg smell you mentioned is hydrogen sulfide, nasty stuff:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_sulfide

it can easily wipe out livestock.

sand is cheap. critters aren't.

mystikal · 06/30/2015, 09:34 AM

Hey! I was actually thinking of moving my tank into another room in my house and was doing some research. I came across this video since I am a visual learning lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq5cSeNQ9J0

Wingman6 · 08/24/2015, 10:32 PM

Ok sooo...did the move about 2 weeks ago and here is how it ended up going...

What?

200 gallon tank
100 gallon sump
few hundred pounds of sand
few hundred pounds of live rock
lots of electronics for my controller, auto, switches, lights, etc
lots of fish and coral

Move specific equipment?

55 gallon hex
3 32 gallon garbage cans
8 buckets
2 60 gallon barrels
1 55 gallon trash bin
8 power heads
1 uhual 10 foot truck
120 gallons of waiting fresh water
1 kiddie pool

What did it take?

18 hours
2 REALLY good friends
caffeine
xanex (about 13 hours in...jk)

How did i end up doing it?

siphoned some water out to kiddie pool and hex
pulled out all corals and rocks with coral into kiddie pool, 55 gallon hex
pulled out all rocks and put into trash bins
pulled out all fish into kiddie pool
siphoned remaining water into barrels
scooped out sand from main tank and sump and put into pails
Left all the above in my garage for about 14 hours while i moved the tank
ripped tank apart and setup up again in new house garage
added sand and began transporting rock
Added some reclaimed water and 60 gallons of fresh water to top up tank
Filled up tank with rock
setup main return only and then skimmer
Got all fish and coral
Did 60 gallon water change
added all fish and coral

obviously that is simplified

Casualties

1 sunburst anthia - didn't make it sitting around all day in the garage with the other fish
1 random anthia - this fish took home inside a rock and i lost track of him. Sadly i found him the next day when i was rinsing out trash cans
some corals frags but nothing major (so far)

What worked well?

Kiddie pool - gave very large surface to volume for all corals frags and fish
Uhual - great low deck for loading up equipment and barrels.
Good friends - not sure how many people would help you with your own hobby for 18 hours straight when they have work the next day
having some sort of a plan
bins, barrels, buckets, towels

What didn't go well?

Not enough fresh water - we ended up having to go to a pure water store at 1 am to get water 5 gallons at a time. I should have planned for this better but i was consumed by the move prior to this. In hindsight, another 100 gallons or so would have made things a lot more smooth as the water looked AWFUL after stirring up the sand and rock
Another kiddie pool - instead of using buckets and bins in the garage while moving the tank another kiddie pool would have helped
more bins and barrells - for moving a tank this size you can't have too many
Faster pumps with big hose for water transport - nothing slowing things down like waiting for a 3/4 inch garden hose to siphon
Try not to break equipment - obviously in a rush a lot of the pvc for various parts of the tank were tossed around. I ended up having to repair a few hard to repair pieces and broke a piece of my calcium reactor. A bit more TLC on those parts would have saved an hour or so.

Conclusions

i hope i don't have to do that again for a long time unless its an upgrade to another tank
The tank is doing surprisingly well for what the water looked like
I finally hooked up all the equipment and things are back on course

If you guys have any questions or feel free to chime in. Just figured i'd throw my story out there.

06/26/2015, 11:46 AM	#1
Wingman6 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 120	Best way to move a tank? I'm moving to another home and kicking around the best way to move my reef tank. Any suggestions? I'm mostly concerned about best way to move the coral and fish. If I move the sand should I rinse it? How long should the tank cycle? How many days have people had theirs down?

06/26/2015, 12:17 PM	#3
Hawk72 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 290	The area I am in has a company that specializes in moving aquariums. It was very reasonable and well worth the cost. I have moved my own tanks before and it is a hassle. The movers showed up with all the necessary equipment (buckets, totes, extra water, etc.) to move. They even cleaned all my equipment. Like I said well worth the cost if you can find one in your area. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 135 gallon

06/26/2015, 12:39 PM	#4
schatzi Professional amateur Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: JC, MO Posts: 513	if it were me and I could do it in one day i would use 5 gallon buckets for the fish and rock. Have new water ready, re-use the transport water, top off with new saltwater, put in new rinsed sand and you should be good to go. I have moved livestock and rock this way that i bought off CL. In that case I did not use the transport water but all the rock just went in my current system. In theory if you keep the rock submerged you shouldn't see another cycle. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef, 46g predator tank, 25g fuge, 39g frag/fuge, 70g sump, 29g clown tank.

06/26/2015, 01:52 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you have the option at the destination, go in early and set up an uncycled qt for the fish and corals. With lights, if you have corals. Get that going. Move them first, if you can. Then (being sure to devise bracing to protect any bottom bulkheads on the tank during moving---it can't sit flat on the floor with bottom bulkheads---) put your rock in a bucket(s) wrapped in wet newspaper and toss the sand. Move everything. Take care of your fish til tomorrow. Do setup on the tank, with new (washed!!! which will take all day) sand---and your old rock, add water (ro from the supermarket, figuring it'll take way too long to run enough ro/di in the new place. Or set up a ro/di to run into Brute trashcans and just keep 'em coming) ---do your setup, and at least submerge the rock and sand as you continue to produce rodi and add more. This may take a couple of days. Even with the all-live rock, it'll take about 5 days of full operation for it to cycle and accept the fish and corals. And honestly, start with the inverts. Most corals are tougher than your fish, in terms of a new tank. (they also don't produce heavy poo). Gradually, work the fish in. Wishing you luck. Been there, got several tee-shirts. NEVER depend on a store getting something in for your move---I did all the above and went to pick up my new sump, only to hear it was on backorder. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/26/2015, 02:11 PM	#7
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	When I moved from Connecticut to Wisconsin I sold my live stock and put my rocks in totes dry. The moving company crated my tank. I am glad I did it that way there was enough stress unpacking and getting the house in order. The tank got set up about 3 months after the move. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

06/26/2015, 11:55 AM	#2
steallife904 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 944	how big is the tank and how far? i moved across town a few years ago and didnt want to go about moving my 90 gal tank myself so i hired my LFS to help. They brough 3 guys over to break it down, put fish and corals in different containers and move the tank. I replaced the sand when i moved it.

06/26/2015, 01:36 PM	#5
Wingman6 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 120	Sorry should have stated size. Haha. Moving probably across town and the tank is 180.

06/26/2015, 03:08 PM	#8
tzylak Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 457	All mentioned above are good options. I placed most rocks in buckets to lighten the load but left enough water (8-10") to cover whatever remained, including the fish. -Not disturbing the bottom made for a quick recovery from the move with minimal stress to all creatures. I purchased a 4x8 foot panel of 1" insulation foam at Home Depot and cut it to closely fit the INSIDE of the tank to eliminate splashing during transport. Once cut, I placed a plastic foil on top of the DT water as a moisture/contaminant barrier, then that foam plate, then wedged vertical columns of that foam between the flat plate and the top rim of the tank to keep the flat plate down and stable. -Virtually no water movement during the hour-long transport. The next day the tank was up and running as if it never moved. Yes, it is a day-long process, so try to dedicate one day just to move the aquarium, and separate from the rest of your stuff. Brace yourself with patience to do it slowly and RIGHT. Get 3 or four guys to help you in the process. -You will need some muscle. Yes, moving companies might do just fine but I doubt that I could just WATCH them do it without BUTTING IN to their displeasure. Good luck!!

06/26/2015, 03:18 PM	#9
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Also, when you set up, get a number of dinner-plate size teflon glides and put them inconspicuously and permanently under the tank stand. This means you can always reposition it in an emergency by dramatically lowering the water level into Rubbermaid Brutes and scooting it, then rewatering. Let me tell you---that saved our sanity with a corner wedge tank when we had a bottom bulkhead problem and decided to replace the bulkhead connector with a full and functioning tank. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/26/2015, 03:20 PM	#10
larrysmith75 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: River Heights in Tampa, FL Posts: 45	Just curious. why get new sand? I'm moving also and looking for tips. I have multiple tanks.

06/26/2015, 09:38 PM	#11
Wsufan18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 51	I just bought, disassembled and moved a 240 tank, 150 sump and about 300lbs of live rock and livestock to my home. 6 hr drive. I used brute cans, 100g stock tank and tubs and buckets. Moved live rock into tubs and stock tank as well as pumped tank water into them at same time. Caught livestock and put into bags and tubs. Live sand into buckets then disassembled tank etc. and loaded into rented trailer. Once home I kept containers in garage with heaters and pumps, livestock went into my existing tank. A month later moved rock/sand into new tank. having an existing tank gave me the freedom to take my time in setting up new tank and equipment. And past experience has taught me to not rush ANYTHING in this hobby, including setup. Make yourself a small established tank or find a friend with one you could use. No need to rinse sand and no tank cycle if you can manage to keep your water moving during move/storage.

06/27/2015, 01:03 AM	#12
Wingman6 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 120	Lots of good suggestions. I'm definitely considering using this "opportunity" to upgrade to a larger tank. Next step is the wife approval. I sent a 1000 gallon tank for sale in my area today and she about lost it. I have to fully break down and empty the tank as the room it is currently in needs some fancy maneuvers to remove the tank. Regarding the sand, my main concern was built up stuff from the anaerobic processes that now get mixed in. I was thinking to just rinse it a ton and see how that goes but not worth risking the whole tank.

06/29/2015, 10:21 PM	#13
Wsufan18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 51	I rinsed my used sand. I actually just dumped in into my new tank and rinsed it a few times in the tank. Smelled like rotten eggs for a few hrs but cleared up and has been just fine for over a month. Sand is sand. Live sand dies and then becomes alive again. Why buy new? Save your money and rinse. Good luck.

06/30/2015, 09:34 AM	#15
mystikal Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Apopka-Orlando, Florida Posts: 611	Hey! I was actually thinking of moving my tank into another room in my house and was doing some research. I came across this video since I am a visual learning lol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq5cSeNQ9J0

08/24/2015, 10:32 PM	#16
Wingman6 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 120	Ok sooo...did the move about 2 weeks ago and here is how it ended up going... What? 200 gallon tank 100 gallon sump few hundred pounds of sand few hundred pounds of live rock lots of electronics for my controller, auto, switches, lights, etc lots of fish and coral Move specific equipment? 55 gallon hex 3 32 gallon garbage cans 8 buckets 2 60 gallon barrels 1 55 gallon trash bin 8 power heads 1 uhual 10 foot truck 120 gallons of waiting fresh water 1 kiddie pool What did it take? 18 hours 2 REALLY good friends caffeine xanex (about 13 hours in...jk) How did i end up doing it? siphoned some water out to kiddie pool and hex pulled out all corals and rocks with coral into kiddie pool, 55 gallon hex pulled out all rocks and put into trash bins pulled out all fish into kiddie pool siphoned remaining water into barrels scooped out sand from main tank and sump and put into pails Left all the above in my garage for about 14 hours while i moved the tank ripped tank apart and setup up again in new house garage added sand and began transporting rock Added some reclaimed water and 60 gallons of fresh water to top up tank Filled up tank with rock setup main return only and then skimmer Got all fish and coral Did 60 gallon water change added all fish and coral obviously that is simplified Casualties 1 sunburst anthia - didn't make it sitting around all day in the garage with the other fish 1 random anthia - this fish took home inside a rock and i lost track of him. Sadly i found him the next day when i was rinsing out trash cans some corals frags but nothing major (so far) What worked well? Kiddie pool - gave very large surface to volume for all corals frags and fish Uhual - great low deck for loading up equipment and barrels. Good friends - not sure how many people would help you with your own hobby for 18 hours straight when they have work the next day having some sort of a plan bins, barrels, buckets, towels What didn't go well? Not enough fresh water - we ended up having to go to a pure water store at 1 am to get water 5 gallons at a time. I should have planned for this better but i was consumed by the move prior to this. In hindsight, another 100 gallons or so would have made things a lot more smooth as the water looked AWFUL after stirring up the sand and rock Another kiddie pool - instead of using buckets and bins in the garage while moving the tank another kiddie pool would have helped more bins and barrells - for moving a tank this size you can't have too many Faster pumps with big hose for water transport - nothing slowing things down like waiting for a 3/4 inch garden hose to siphon Try not to break equipment - obviously in a rush a lot of the pvc for various parts of the tank were tossed around. I ended up having to repair a few hard to repair pieces and broke a piece of my calcium reactor. A bit more TLC on those parts would have saved an hour or so. Conclusions i hope i don't have to do that again for a long time unless its an upgrade to another tank The tank is doing surprisingly well for what the water looked like I finally hooked up all the equipment and things are back on course If you guys have any questions or feel free to chime in. Just figured i'd throw my story out there.