moving tank plan: need advice/suggestions

Lunchbucket · 07-26-2005, 09:09 PM

well moving the tank on Saturday (july 30) and i want to make sure i have all my bases covered. i have moved a 55gal, 10gal, and moved a 20gal into my current 58gal. now i am moving my 58gal to a new apt.

here is my plan

systematically remove the pieces of equipment as i can while keeping the tank runnign as long as possible. then i am thinking

transfer all the rock (with corals on them still) into 10-15gal sterilite (buying at walmart) tubs. i am thinking about 4 will be enough for the rocks w/ the corals. the fish and clams will go into a smaller (5gal) tub or bucket. i will drain all the water that is leftover (that isn't needed to cover the rocks/corals) into 5gal buckets. also i will have enough buckets left incase i need more for the fish.

i will put a piece of 3/4" plywood under the tubs when i move them so they will be supported. will carry them down teh stairs and into the pickup. i wll transfer the rock, corals, fish, etc to the new apt and place them into 2 tubs. i will have 20gal of new salt mixed up over there. i will used 10gal in each of the big (20gal or so) tubs. the rocks and corals will be placed in there...1/2 in each. then i will have a couple of the 10-15gal tubs available w/ heaters and pumps to keep some of the water going in case i need it.

i will then go back and get the tank, stand, pumps, etc. and move over the the new apt and set up (level) etc. then place the rock back in the same places (fun fun ) and add everything and fire it up.

i am removing the sand bed and placing a NEW layer of the same sized sand in there. prolly 1" or so. enough to cover the bottom and provide a "natural" look but small enough to siphone the crap out of it easily.

does anyone have any suggestions or comments??? i am really starting to stress about this and really don't want to move the tank. yes it is small 58gal but still a PITA.

please give tips, comments, anything to help out
thanks
Lunchbucket

redwinger · 07-26-2005, 09:15 PM

Sounds like you got it planned out. I have moved my 75 twice to different spots in the house and it went off without a hitch. One suggestion though it is a good time to go BB

instead of replacing with sand. Sorry I couldn't resist. When I put up my new stand and removed my sand bed a couple months ago it took about five hours and I did not heat any buckets or oxygenate any livestock. Just poured everything back in and fired the equiptment back up and it went just fine.

Lunchbucket · 07-26-2005, 09:32 PM

well thanks for the vote of confidence! i'm sure it will be ok...just the thought of it. once i get into it then i will be ok.

i thought about going BB but i don't like the look. plus i would hate to have my clams attach to the cutting board on accident.

keep the comments coming
Lunchbucket

Frogbone · 07-26-2005, 09:38 PM

I will be moving my 135 and 72 into a 180 in a different location in the house as well this weekend. Hopefully it will all go well

Lunchbucket · 07-26-2005, 09:43 PM

frogbone - good luck man. i WISH i was moving into a different tank...way easier IMO then moving a tank

Lunchbucket

jg24 · 07-26-2005, 10:14 PM

Eric, You probably thought of this. Just make sure you have some air stones running in with the fish.

clownfishcrazy · 07-26-2005, 10:59 PM

Good luck with the move! I think you should set your tank up as BB, and if you don't like it add sand later.

epidemic · 07-27-2005, 07:42 AM

I just got a 120, and I was considering just moving everything from my 75 into it. I was wondering was needs to be done to cycle the tank?
I was thinking maybe just do a few water changes in the 75 and keep the water to seed the new tank. Maybe use like 50/50 new/old water. The place the rocks in the 120, wait a week or two and then put the fish and coral in the 120.
Does this sound legitamate?
derek

Frogbone · 07-27-2005, 07:47 AM

I don't think you need to wait a week. I will move the contents of two tanks into one and I am planning on getting everything done this weekend.

I am using a lot of my "old" water as I don't have storage for 180 gal NSW.

I will have about 80gal of NSW plus 100 gal "old" water from the other tanks.

Clownnut · 07-27-2005, 08:00 AM

i put everything in the day after i setup my tank(of course, tested the water first)95% NSW, 5%OSW. everything doin great.

pnkpanther · 07-27-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epidemic

I just got a 120, and I was considering just moving everything from my 75 into it. I was wondering was needs to be done to cycle the tank?
I was thinking maybe just do a few water changes in the 75 and keep the water to seed the new tank. Maybe use like 50/50 new/old water. The place the rocks in the 120, wait a week or two and then put the fish and coral in the 120.
Does this sound legitamate?
derek

Filter media/live rock/live sand are better to transfer then water

water wont do a whole lot.

JnS · 07-27-2005, 09:41 AM

good luck with the move

jules77 · 07-27-2005, 09:44 AM

If I had to make a move I would probably upgrade! That way you can setup the tank slowly and do it right over a week or so. May not be an option with an apt but hey when money is no object....