Best way to move tanks?

Salty Cracker · 10/30/2014, 05:29 PM

The wife just took a new job offer and it looks like we are moving. It will not be a long move only about 80 miles away. What is the best way to move reef tanks?

moneymm · 10/30/2014, 05:36 PM

How big of a tank and what is in it

ghellin · 10/30/2014, 05:52 PM

If you are able to at the new place get as much saltwater ready to go and have it ready as you will always do a big water change in the move.

Frantz · 10/30/2014, 10:06 PM

I moved my tank from Atlanta Ga to Mech Pennsylvania (and as we speak am setting up in Lewisberry Pa). For the long distance move I took PVC and put air stones in the bottom for aeration and water circulation in 5 g buckets with lids from HD, two holes drilled for air hose and pressure. I set up and had minimal losses to coral. My Mandarin didn't make it, but I didn't lose my two Maroon clowns, and they are still well!

As we speak I am letting my RODI make water in our new home. When I fill the tank I'll work water chem best I can. I'll do several water changes over the next few days. I kept my sand and added new sand on top. LR is original. i have lots of macro alge in the tank at this time, and I am not going to do anything to kill it off right now. It's not ideal to move a tank without cycling a new one, but it's doable, you just have to be attentive!

Frantz · 10/30/2014, 10:08 PM

oh, and if it's a big tank, buy beer and make friends.... The professional glass suction cups for large sheets of glass work well. Myself and 4 other guys used them to move a 300 g tank. through a door with much better security than just holding the bottom.

BBURKE · 10/31/2014, 10:37 AM

Bought and moved a 180g which had softies and fish and 200 lbs of live rock lots of buckets and containers , it's an all day event good luck , do replace the sand though, so I was told

10/30/2014, 05:29 PM	#1
Salty Cracker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 218	Best way to move tanks? The wife just took a new job offer and it looks like we are moving. It will not be a long move only about 80 miles away. What is the best way to move reef tanks?

10/30/2014, 05:52 PM	#3
ghellin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edmond Posts: 1,844	If you are able to at the new place get as much saltwater ready to go and have it ready as you will always do a big water change in the move. __________________ 180. SRO 3000INT w/ANC. Fluval SP4. Gyre. DIY LED's/T5s. Apex. Bluefish. Clams. Tangs. SPS.

10/30/2014, 05:36 PM	#2
moneymm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 548	How big of a tank and what is in it

10/30/2014, 10:06 PM	#4
Frantz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pennsylvanian Posts: 109	I moved my tank from Atlanta Ga to Mech Pennsylvania (and as we speak am setting up in Lewisberry Pa). For the long distance move I took PVC and put air stones in the bottom for aeration and water circulation in 5 g buckets with lids from HD, two holes drilled for air hose and pressure. I set up and had minimal losses to coral. My Mandarin didn't make it, but I didn't lose my two Maroon clowns, and they are still well! As we speak I am letting my RODI make water in our new home. When I fill the tank I'll work water chem best I can. I'll do several water changes over the next few days. I kept my sand and added new sand on top. LR is original. i have lots of macro alge in the tank at this time, and I am not going to do anything to kill it off right now. It's not ideal to move a tank without cycling a new one, but it's doable, you just have to be attentive!

10/30/2014, 10:08 PM	#5
Frantz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pennsylvanian Posts: 109	oh, and if it's a big tank, buy beer and make friends.... The professional glass suction cups for large sheets of glass work well. Myself and 4 other guys used them to move a 300 g tank. through a door with much better security than just holding the bottom.

10/31/2014, 10:37 AM	#6
BBURKE Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 29	Bought and moved a 180g which had softies and fish and 200 lbs of live rock lots of buckets and containers , it's an all day event good luck , do replace the sand though, so I was told