Need to move tank, to relocate Sump

Bradco · 03/15/2007, 05:18 AM

I want to remove the sump from under my cabinet to relocate to another room, to plumb with external pumps and PVC, thing is my tank has about 200lbs LR 160lbs LS and livestock, in a 125 Gallon, I will need to move it away from the wall in order to remove the sump from the back, the cabinet is 3 door so i cannot see getting out of the front without removing a beam which i do not know if that would be save. can someone outline the best steps to minimize stress and or fish loss during this process.

tank watch · 03/15/2007, 06:17 AM

If you want to move the tank, you are going to have to empty it. If it flexes or tweaks in any way with weight in it, it will crack. the water,rocks, corals have to go in holding tank. I would not disturb the sand bed if I didnt have to, maybe slide the stand from the wall slowly.
Check out melev's reef webpage. he found a way to support a tank while removing parts of the stand.

rdnyva · 03/15/2007, 06:42 AM

I can only tell you what I did when I put my sump in the garage. I used a different tank and left the old sump under the stand to make into a QT tank. I couldn't justify tearing down my whole tank and sacrificing all the time and work I put into it just to get the old tank out of the stand. Besides it was a great opportunity to upgrade my sump from a 33L to a 90.

Bradco · 03/15/2007, 06:56 AM

yes but mine is an actual sump, not a tank it is acrylic and has the 2 overflows, and such, and besides less than a year ago it cost me 600+ for it, I know I was over charged that is why i want to utilize it i can't see it as a Quarantine tank

livingcorals · 03/15/2007, 08:17 AM

This can always turn out good or bad.....

I would setup up 2 tanks or get a big drum/tub of some kind.
Put your livestock in the tank(s) and liverock in the drum/tub.
What kind of corals do you have?

Should have to take most of the water out plus I would try and get some of the sand as well. Get another layer 1/2in of sand to be added. The only thing is depending of the age of the live cycle of your environment you might disturb it. Creating an unbalanced system.... (dose that make sense)

For the plum PVP part do keep in mind the time it can take to glue the parts together...12 to 24hrs. Make sure the glue is Mildew-resistant... just and FYI.

For moving that beam check and see if its just a brace or just nailed to the inside side to create the divide
Best of luck!!!

Bradco · 03/15/2007, 08:40 AM

It seems to be just nailed to create the divide and middle door, maybe I will send a email to all glass to see if i can do this with out any problem

davidryder · 03/15/2007, 09:00 AM

just cut a hole out of the right side of the stand, take the sump out, and put a door over the hole.

otherwise, just leave the sump there and get a new one... a bigger one. you shouldn't try to move a tank that size. if it's not on carpet you might be able to manage it, but you will have to move it quite a bit to get the old sump out.

Icefire · 03/15/2007, 10:20 AM

remove some water, remove the beam, remove sump, replace beam/water

03/15/2007, 05:18 AM	#1
Bradco Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Haven, Connecticut Posts: 145	Need to move tank, to relocate Sump I want to remove the sump from under my cabinet to relocate to another room, to plumb with external pumps and PVC, thing is my tank has about 200lbs LR 160lbs LS and livestock, in a 125 Gallon, I will need to move it away from the wall in order to remove the sump from the back, the cabinet is 3 door so i cannot see getting out of the front without removing a beam which i do not know if that would be save. can someone outline the best steps to minimize stress and or fish loss during this process. __________________ MCSE,MCP,MCP+I CCA,CCEA Current Tank Info: 125g 160lbs Live sand 150lbs LR 1 Purple Tang, 1 Scopas Tang 1 Foxface 1 striped Damsel 1 Powder Blue 1 Fire Angel 1 Blonde Naso 1 Striped Puffer pom pom Xenia green mushroom rock.CB Shrimp, 2 Brittle Stars, 1 Sand sifting Star, Serpent Star

03/15/2007, 06:42 AM	#3
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	I can only tell you what I did when I put my sump in the garage. I used a different tank and left the old sump under the stand to make into a QT tank. I couldn't justify tearing down my whole tank and sacrificing all the time and work I put into it just to get the old tank out of the stand. Besides it was a great opportunity to upgrade my sump from a 33L to a 90. __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

03/15/2007, 06:56 AM	#4
Bradco Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Haven, Connecticut Posts: 145	yes but mine is an actual sump, not a tank it is acrylic and has the 2 overflows, and such, and besides less than a year ago it cost me 600+ for it, I know I was over charged that is why i want to utilize it i can't see it as a Quarantine tank __________________ MCSE,MCP,MCP+I CCA,CCEA Current Tank Info: 125g 160lbs Live sand 150lbs LR 1 Purple Tang, 1 Scopas Tang 1 Foxface 1 striped Damsel 1 Powder Blue 1 Fire Angel 1 Blonde Naso 1 Striped Puffer pom pom Xenia green mushroom rock.CB Shrimp, 2 Brittle Stars, 1 Sand sifting Star, Serpent Star

03/15/2007, 08:17 AM	#5
livingcorals Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,730	Moving the tank This can always turn out good or bad..... I would setup up 2 tanks or get a big drum/tub of some kind. Put your livestock in the tank(s) and liverock in the drum/tub. What kind of corals do you have? Should have to take most of the water out plus I would try and get some of the sand as well. Get another layer 1/2in of sand to be added. The only thing is depending of the age of the live cycle of your environment you might disturb it. Creating an unbalanced system.... (dose that make sense) For the plum PVP part do keep in mind the time it can take to glue the parts together...12 to 24hrs. Make sure the glue is Mildew-resistant... just and FYI. For moving that beam check and see if its just a brace or just nailed to the inside side to create the divide Best of luck!!!

03/15/2007, 08:40 AM	#6
Bradco Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Haven, Connecticut Posts: 145	It seems to be just nailed to create the divide and middle door, maybe I will send a email to all glass to see if i can do this with out any problem __________________ MCSE,MCP,MCP+I CCA,CCEA Current Tank Info: 125g 160lbs Live sand 150lbs LR 1 Purple Tang, 1 Scopas Tang 1 Foxface 1 striped Damsel 1 Powder Blue 1 Fire Angel 1 Blonde Naso 1 Striped Puffer pom pom Xenia green mushroom rock.CB Shrimp, 2 Brittle Stars, 1 Sand sifting Star, Serpent Star

03/15/2007, 06:17 AM	#2
tank watch Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 143	If you want to move the tank, you are going to have to empty it. If it flexes or tweaks in any way with weight in it, it will crack. the water,rocks, corals have to go in holding tank. I would not disturb the sand bed if I didnt have to, maybe slide the stand from the wall slowly. Check out melev's reef webpage. he found a way to support a tank while removing parts of the stand.

03/15/2007, 09:00 AM	#7
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	just cut a hole out of the right side of the stand, take the sump out, and put a door over the hole. otherwise, just leave the sump there and get a new one... a bigger one. you shouldn't try to move a tank that size. if it's not on carpet you might be able to manage it, but you will have to move it quite a bit to get the old sump out. __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

03/15/2007, 10:20 AM	#8
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	remove some water, remove the beam, remove sump, replace beam/water __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI