Moving tanks.

[epidemic]

At the end of this month I will be moving my tank. I have been doing some research, but could use some input from people who have done this (my first tank move- about and hour and a half drive). Tank is 75 gal (not drilled) mixed reef.

Here is my plan: I was thinking that I could mix up about 50-70 gal new salwater in a rubbermaid trash can or something. Bring up the most of the rock and let them "stew" for about a week at about 77 degrees. (sounds like soup).Take some of the sand (I was thinking 1/2" SB, from the current 2") and wash it and use that. Then bag up all the livestock, drain the tank and move it all in an afternoon. Drive to her house set up the tank.
(Heres wher I am debating-I could either throw the livestock in the newly set up tank or in my mothers tank and let the tank cycle a bit before I thow the stuff in it)
Thats my plan, Any suggestions?
Derek

[johnsmb]

My thoughts would be to ditch all of the sand and start with fresh sand. You will be surprised how nasty it is. I have always used that bagged livesand - which is really expensive, but there is little to no dust storm with it and it is supposed to have some bacteria to help jump start things.

I would take 1/2 to 3/4 of the liverock up there and get it going in a tub like you said. Don't forget powerheads and a heater. Then, do the whole move the following week. I wouldn't think you would want to put the livestock in a temporary tank - that just means more stress when you have to move them again. I don't think there would be much, if any, cycle - especially if you move 1/2 the rock a week or so ahead of time and let it settle.

[smeese]

Derek. I would just do it and get it done. Here is my plan, which I have done. Get some fresh saltwater going to replace what is not salvagable at the end of the process.
Remove as much clear water as possible, while doing so bag up all corals and put in coolers. Box up live rock in a big tupperware, and cover with a saltwater saturated towel, At this point we will have a nasty pile of sand with some chocolate milk looking water, and we will need to find all your fish which will need to be bagged up in clear water and put in cooler and all the other crabs and snails can be put in the buckets of clear water. Throw out sand and nasty water, have new sand ready or go BB. Now is a good time to razorblade your tank, and rinse out. Bring all to destination. Set up rock add sand if desired, add clear water and new replacement water without disturbing too much. ( it would also be good right now to be removing detrious from your rock with a powerhead daily to reduce the amount during the move. Basically spray it here and there and let your skimmer collect as much as possible. )Then leave all fish and corals float as tank heats back up and reacclimate everything. You should be able to do this all at once in a big tub if you save enough water. I hope this makes sense I am hung over as heck. It worked for me but do as you wish. Good luck, if you need some buckets le me know.

[epidemic]

Smeese thanks for the input. I might have to take you up on the buckets I am NOT looking forward to this!

[smeese]

I guess I could help you since I kept the anenome I told you I would sell you. LOL Plan it on a Mon or tues.and LMK

[smeese]

IMO it is key to replace or reemove the sandbed. You can always add later if you can not afford at the time. Or just put in one or two bags of livesand as a light dusting for cosmetic purposes

[oyam123]

Thats the way to go....JUST DO IT!
last 3 tanks i have washed and reused the sand.
could be thats why zoos and xenia dont do well in my tanks.

[Soltaker]

If I were moving that far away, I would lean twards finding temporary or permanent homes for your fish.

[smeese]

An hour and a half? Fish get bagged and shipped from the ocean for 3-4 days sometimes. Not saying this is the best for the fish but an hour and a half is not bad, figure the fish would be in a bag in a cooler for maybe 6 hours at the most.

Originally Posted by Soltaker

If I were moving that far away, I would lean twards finding temporary or permanent homes for your fish.

[Soltaker]

Originally Posted by smeese

An hour and a half? Fish get bagged and shipped from the ocean for 3-4 days sometimes. Not saying this is the best for the fish but an hour and a half is not bad, figure the fish would be in a bag in a cooler for maybe 6 hours at the most.

eh.....I tried the same thing when I moved 30 min away with not so great results. I personally won't do it again, but that's just me.

[JnS]

Originally Posted by smeese

An hour and a half? Fish get bagged and shipped from the ocean for 3-4 days sometimes. Not saying this is the best for the fish but an hour and a half is not bad, figure the fish would be in a bag in a cooler for maybe 6 hours at the most.

they also have pure O2 in the bags. I would look for temp homes for fish, corals should fine on the trip.

[epidemic]

For fish I have a purple tang, LMB, pair of O clowns, sleeper goby, Royal G. I was thinking of getting rid of the tang, goby and Royal G.
That leaves a pair of 3/4" clowns and a 3" LMB. I would think with a big enough bag...
Opinions?
Derek