moving a full 29gal tank to a new stand

sw_df27 · 08/14/2012, 07:54 AM

what is gonna be the easiest way to move it without stressing the fish out to much obviously I'm gonna empty all but maybe 5 gallons of water out take out all the rock and then move it while leaving the crushed coral in it but should I remove the fish too or will they be okay cause I know once I start pouring the water back in it's gonna be a tad cloudy will that be okay

sw_df27 · 08/14/2012, 08:02 AM

Also has anyone ever put wheels on thier stands like the ones that have the button break type things on them to where it won't roll unless you release the break on all 4 wheels? I'm thinking of doing this that way I can move the tank around without having to empty it

bnumair · 08/14/2012, 08:25 AM

just my opinion, wheels under a tank put high pressure points thus the weight distribution is not even and some day that high pressure will give in.
moving a full 29 gal tank will probably weight 275-300 pounds. if you get the tank half way empty of water u lose 25-30 lbs and two people can easily lift a 250ish and move it to its new stand.

heathlindner25 · 08/14/2012, 08:29 AM

empty about half the water, leave the aquascaping alone, get a couple decent sized guys and just pick it up

daninflipflops · 08/14/2012, 09:06 AM

NEVER pick up a tank with water it (ask me how i know

) empty all the water into buckets, keep your fish in there during the move. remove all the rocks. you can leave the wet sand in the tank. then put everything back.

dont worry about stirred up water, it wont bother the fish at all, they are used to that in nature. good luck!

sw_df27 · 08/14/2012, 09:16 AM

keep the fish in the bucket or leave just a couple inches of water in the tank and leave the fish in the tank? since I'm a 100lb female and It will be me and one man moving this thing I will have to empty out as much of everything as I can just making sure the cloudy water won't kill them once I put everything back in

Thanks everyone for the help

Lig · 08/14/2012, 09:22 AM

I would just empty about 80% of the water and rocks into a tote, then have two people set the tank on the new stand & refill. I wouldn't remove the fish it you're just moving a 29 a few feet.

_Mackus_ · 08/14/2012, 09:28 AM

If it's just the tank and no sump, I'd take out a little bit of the water to lighten the load a little bit then just have two guys pick the tank up. You can probably shimmy it off the edge of the stand a little bit so you can get a good grip.

I think finding an extra guy to help would be easier than emptying almost everything and doing it yourself.. Probably will only cost you a few beers and a couple slices. Or maybe a couple beers and a few slices.

sw_df27 · 08/14/2012, 09:36 AM

yeah it's just the aquarium no sump and all my lights and everything hang on the back so shouldn't be to hard I have just heard horror stories of moving a glass tank with water in it I don't want crack it or anything it's the only one I've got

daninflipflops · 08/14/2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sw_df27

yeah it's just the aquarium no sump and all my lights and everything hang on the back so shouldn't be to hard I have just heard horror stories of moving a glass tank with water in it I don't want crack it or anything it's the only one I've got

the horror stories are real, beleive me. lost a tank a few years back moving it with 1/3 full water. luckily only a 20 gallon tank, but it was bad. take the extra 5 minutes and an extra few buckets and empty it. not worth the risk for minimal effort. either way its going to get stirred up, but that will be gone in a day. your fish will not be bothered by the sand in the water.

johnc99 · 08/15/2012, 12:01 AM

The best solution would be to buy a new or used 29g tank and place it on the other stand. And move stuff over from your old tank to the new one. Alternatively:

Prior to the move, get as many 5 gallons buckets as you can. I needed 5. And buy a 20 gallon Rubbermaid container.

The day before you plan to move the tank, you should fill 2 of the 5g buckets with RO/DI water and salt and mix away. You may as well do a water change.

On the day of the move fill another of the buckets about 1/2 way with water from your tank. Use this to hold your fish. Fill the Rubbermaid container with around 10-15g from your tank and place your live rock in this. You don't want to move your tank with the rock in. Suppose the rock moves and cracks your tank? I kept the tops of my LR moist using wet paper towels. Drain the rest of your tank into the remaining 5g buckets and the Rubbermaid container. Any corals can go into one of these buckets or the container.

Discard the last bucket of water remaining in the tank. You will probably have disturbed your sand and the water will be pretty nasty.

At this point your tank should just be containing the wet sand and perhaps a small amount of water. Moving the tank in this state will be a lot easier and less dangerous (for you and the tank). Watch out though - it will still be plenty heavy.

Once the tank is set upon the new stand and equipment placed - start moving your LR back in and start filling the tank with the old water. Top up with the new saltwater. At this point turn all of your equipment back on (especially pumps and the skimmer - you don't need light). Your skimmer will probably start to go crazy. At this point you should fill another bucket with RO/DI and salt and start mixing (you might need to do a quick partial water change). Once the skimmer settles down and the water has cleared a little - test for ammonia. If you're clear (and you probably will be) then you can put in the corals and lastly your fish. In another hour or so - test the water again for ammonia. If you have some then do the partial water change; if you're clear then congratulations are in order and have a scotch.

I moved my 30 from my family room to my kitchen (while my house is being remodeled) and followed the above procedure. It took around 3 hours but no losses. My blenny hid in my LR and plopped into the tank as I was re-aquascaping with all the crud from stirring up the sand. I was convinced he was a goner but even he survived. And I have to go through the whole process again in 4 weeks.

Plan the move and prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Also take the opportunity to clean any equipment that you are moving

csm41 · 08/15/2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnc99

The best solution would be to buy a new or used 29g tank and place it on the other stand. And move stuff over from your old tank to the new one. Alternatively:

Prior to the move, get as many 5 gallons buckets as you can. I needed 5. And buy a 20 gallon Rubbermaid container.

The day before you plan to move the tank, you should fill 2 of the 5g buckets with RO/DI water and salt and mix away. You may as well do a water change.

On the day of the move fill another of the buckets about 1/2 way with water from your tank. Use this to hold your fish. Fill the Rubbermaid container with around 10-15g from your tank and place your live rock in this. You don't want to move your tank with the rock in. Suppose the rock moves and cracks your tank? I kept the tops of my LR moist using wet paper towels. Drain the rest of your tank into the remaining 5g buckets and the Rubbermaid container. Any corals can go into one of these buckets or the container.

Discard the last bucket of water remaining in the tank. You will probably have disturbed your sand and the water will be pretty nasty.

At this point your tank should just be containing the wet sand and perhaps a small amount of water. Moving the tank in this state will be a lot easier and less dangerous (for you and the tank). Watch out though - it will still be plenty heavy.

Once the tank is set upon the new stand and equipment placed - start moving your LR back in and start filling the tank with the old water. Top up with the new saltwater. At this point turn all of your equipment back on (especially pumps and the skimmer - you don't need light). Your skimmer will probably start to go crazy. At this point you should fill another bucket with RO/DI and salt and start mixing (you might need to do a quick partial water change). Once the skimmer settles down and the water has cleared a little - test for ammonia. If you're clear (and you probably will be) then you can put in the corals and lastly your fish. In another hour or so - test the water again for ammonia. If you have some then do the partial water change; if you're clear then congratulations are in order and have a scotch.

I moved my 30 from my family room to my kitchen (while my house is being remodeled) and followed the above procedure. It took around 3 hours but no losses. My blenny hid in my LR and plopped into the tank as I was re-aquascaping with all the crud from stirring up the sand. I was convinced he was a goner but even he survived. And I have to go through the whole process again in 4 weeks.

Plan the move and prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Also take the opportunity to clean any equipment that you are moving

This is a nice solution. Better yet, now would be a good time to upgrade to a larger tank.

sw_df27 · 08/15/2012, 07:39 AM

Thanks that makes alot of sense and was actually thinking of getting another tank anyway but no I will not be getting a larger tank I'm comfortable with this size and I am a beginner at this so I will jsut stay with what I know for now I don't have any corals so this should be a fairly easy move I hope I have 4 days to get the new stand built and move everything I do plan to do a water change while I'm at it so keeping fingers crossed I don't lose anything I only have 2 clowns and a sea star right now so this hopefully won't be to hard

08/14/2012, 07:54 AM	#1
sw_df27 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 150	moving a full 29gal tank to a new stand what is gonna be the easiest way to move it without stressing the fish out to much obviously I'm gonna empty all but maybe 5 gallons of water out take out all the rock and then move it while leaving the crushed coral in it but should I remove the fish too or will they be okay cause I know once I start pouring the water back in it's gonna be a tad cloudy will that be okay

08/14/2012, 08:25 AM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	just my opinion, wheels under a tank put high pressure points thus the weight distribution is not even and some day that high pressure will give in. moving a full 29 gal tank will probably weight 275-300 pounds. if you get the tank half way empty of water u lose 25-30 lbs and two people can easily lift a 250ish and move it to its new stand. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

08/15/2012, 12:01 AM	#11
johnc99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Gatos, CA Posts: 224	The best solution would be to buy a new or used 29g tank and place it on the other stand. And move stuff over from your old tank to the new one. Alternatively: Prior to the move, get as many 5 gallons buckets as you can. I needed 5. And buy a 20 gallon Rubbermaid container. The day before you plan to move the tank, you should fill 2 of the 5g buckets with RO/DI water and salt and mix away. You may as well do a water change. On the day of the move fill another of the buckets about 1/2 way with water from your tank. Use this to hold your fish. Fill the Rubbermaid container with around 10-15g from your tank and place your live rock in this. You don't want to move your tank with the rock in. Suppose the rock moves and cracks your tank? I kept the tops of my LR moist using wet paper towels. Drain the rest of your tank into the remaining 5g buckets and the Rubbermaid container. Any corals can go into one of these buckets or the container. Discard the last bucket of water remaining in the tank. You will probably have disturbed your sand and the water will be pretty nasty. At this point your tank should just be containing the wet sand and perhaps a small amount of water. Moving the tank in this state will be a lot easier and less dangerous (for you and the tank). Watch out though - it will still be plenty heavy. Once the tank is set upon the new stand and equipment placed - start moving your LR back in and start filling the tank with the old water. Top up with the new saltwater. At this point turn all of your equipment back on (especially pumps and the skimmer - you don't need light). Your skimmer will probably start to go crazy. At this point you should fill another bucket with RO/DI and salt and start mixing (you might need to do a quick partial water change). Once the skimmer settles down and the water has cleared a little - test for ammonia. If you're clear (and you probably will be) then you can put in the corals and lastly your fish. In another hour or so - test the water again for ammonia. If you have some then do the partial water change; if you're clear then congratulations are in order and have a scotch. I moved my 30 from my family room to my kitchen (while my house is being remodeled) and followed the above procedure. It took around 3 hours but no losses. My blenny hid in my LR and plopped into the tank as I was re-aquascaping with all the crud from stirring up the sand. I was convinced he was a goner but even he survived. And I have to go through the whole process again in 4 weeks. Plan the move and prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Also take the opportunity to clean any equipment that you are moving __________________ We must recognize the dignity which all creatures possess, and we must respect it for as long as we have them in our charge. - "Coldwater Fish" by Roy Pinks Current Tank Info: 40B FOWLR w/ Eshopps R-100, Aquamaxx ConeS CO-1, Eheim 3000+ return, AquaticLife 4x39w HO T5s

08/14/2012, 08:02 AM	#2
sw_df27 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 150	Also has anyone ever put wheels on thier stands like the ones that have the button break type things on them to where it won't roll unless you release the break on all 4 wheels? I'm thinking of doing this that way I can move the tank around without having to empty it

08/14/2012, 08:29 AM	#4
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	empty about half the water, leave the aquascaping alone, get a couple decent sized guys and just pick it up

08/14/2012, 09:06 AM	#5
daninflipflops In Memoriam Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 208	NEVER pick up a tank with water it (ask me how i know ) empty all the water into buckets, keep your fish in there during the move. remove all the rocks. you can leave the wet sand in the tank. then put everything back. dont worry about stirred up water, it wont bother the fish at all, they are used to that in nature. good luck!

08/14/2012, 09:16 AM	#6
sw_df27 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 150	keep the fish in the bucket or leave just a couple inches of water in the tank and leave the fish in the tank? since I'm a 100lb female and It will be me and one man moving this thing I will have to empty out as much of everything as I can just making sure the cloudy water won't kill them once I put everything back in Thanks everyone for the help

08/14/2012, 09:22 AM	#7
Lig Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: GA Posts: 89	I would just empty about 80% of the water and rocks into a tote, then have two people set the tank on the new stand & refill. I wouldn't remove the fish it you're just moving a 29 a few feet.

08/14/2012, 09:28 AM	#8
_Mackus_ Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 198	If it's just the tank and no sump, I'd take out a little bit of the water to lighten the load a little bit then just have two guys pick the tank up. You can probably shimmy it off the edge of the stand a little bit so you can get a good grip. I think finding an extra guy to help would be easier than emptying almost everything and doing it yourself.. Probably will only cost you a few beers and a couple slices. Or maybe a couple beers and a few slices.

08/14/2012, 09:36 AM	#9
sw_df27 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 150	yeah it's just the aquarium no sump and all my lights and everything hang on the back so shouldn't be to hard I have just heard horror stories of moving a glass tank with water in it I don't want crack it or anything it's the only one I've got

08/15/2012, 07:39 AM	#13
sw_df27 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 150	Thanks that makes alot of sense and was actually thinking of getting another tank anyway but no I will not be getting a larger tank I'm comfortable with this size and I am a beginner at this so I will jsut stay with what I know for now I don't have any corals so this should be a fairly easy move I hope I have 4 days to get the new stand built and move everything I do plan to do a water change while I'm at it so keeping fingers crossed I don't lose anything I only have 2 clowns and a sea star right now so this hopefully won't be to hard