Newbie: Moving 190gal tank

cme10sne1 · 08-12-2001, 10:45 AM

hi all,
I have just inherited a 190 gal salt water tank. Fish,live coral, pumps the whole shabang. This is my first salt water experience. My dilima is moving it from its present location to my home. Total travel distance will be 4 miles. If I could get some input on the best way to move my new friends and their home I would greatly appreciate it. Please email input to cgmontgomery@mindpspring.com
Thanks in Advance

Minnreefer · 08-12-2001, 11:45 AM

Welcome to the reef tank.

I think that I will trade you a 20 gallon for the 190 so you can move it a lot easier

Just kiding, you came to the right spot, how long before you have to move it? Will the present owner teach you anything? If you have time the best is to do as much research as you can. Read as much as you can, ask as many questions as you can etc.
We will talk more
Jonathan

Doug1 · 08-12-2001, 12:11 PM

Nice prize, but it soundlike you are about to enroll in reef keeping 101
Lots of tubs and containers for all the livestock. Is it a glass or acrylic tank. I would try to move it with the sand bed intact but that will require careful planniiing and a lot of help. Any possibility of someone holding the fish and coral while you move it?
Hopefully one of the Atlamnta members can give you some advice

MontanaRocknReefer · 08-12-2001, 12:23 PM

Can you get a description of the tank as far as what is in the reef? What there is for a skimmer, filter, etc? Does it have a sump?
The more we know, the easier it is for us to help you. Get alot of friends as well in the moving. Hopefully they will understand about a reef aquarium. Johnny

FishDaddy · 08-12-2001, 02:05 PM

Hi Rubyjones,

Looks like you beginning Reefing in a big way! Congratulations on your new tank.
Hopefully, you have a little time before having to move the tank so you can do some reading first. Understanding the principles of reefkeeping will help you during the move but the move is only the beginning! Here is a good article by James Wiseman about moving a tank: http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog...an_101898.html
I would recommend buying and reading The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner and/or Natural Reef Aquariums by John Tullock before doing anything. Each is about $25 online. You might also getThe Reef Aqaurium, Vols I&II, by Delbeek & Sprung as you are going to need these good references for maintaining this large a system.
Here are some other very useful articles and links that will help you: http://www.rshimek.com/reef/sediment.htm http://www.reefkeepers.org/faq/cache/33.html http://www.wyx.com/iheo/tank/new.htm http://saltyzoo.com:8081/
This is a very reading-intensive hobby so the more you read the better.
Again, welcome to The Reef Tank!
Dick

Alice · 08-12-2001, 04:42 PM

Hi rubyjones; welcome to The Reef Tank!

I read the article by James and he covered moves pretty thoroughly. I've torn down and moved my share of tanks, James I'm sure has done more than I, and it gets easier the more you do it.

As you've never done this before, make a list, check it twice. You'll need everything that James mentioned in his article plus a lot of old towels

The person you are buying the tank from should be able to help you with mixing up some new saltwater and many of those details. What you will need to do on your end is to make sure the area the tank will sit in is level, if not, especially with a glass tank, you're going to need to level it. If the stand is solid on the bottom and it's not off more than a 1/4" you can level with shims. If it's more than that you'll need to put down a piece of plywood and level that rather than just shimming the tank. Please post here if you have any questions on leveling, this is very important, especially if you have a glass tank.

Absolutely allow yourself a full day for this move and if at all possible, do it on the first day of a two-day off stretch so that you can be around the next day to monitor the tank.

Be prepared to do several water changes of 10-20% in the next couple of weeks after the move. You will have die-off of organisms in the sand and this can send the nitrate levels up in the tank.

Good luck with the move and any questions you have, please ask. We're happy to help!

~Alice

Rick O · 08-12-2001, 08:48 PM

Hi Rubyjones,

Welcome to The Reef Tank and to the wonderful hobby of reef keeping. There is a pretty strong reef club in Atlanta so if you need some help or a mentor I'm sure someone is close to you and would be glad to lend a hand. I'm in Marietta if I can help.

Rick

cme10sne1 · 08-13-2001, 10:37 AM

Thank to everyone who replied. Im doing as much homework as possible. The tank is glass and due to the enormous size I will need some strong backs. I will keep the sand and rocks wet so that I dont kill the good bacteria. Im very nervous about this huge undertaking. Would you guys say that it is worth having someone come in and clean the tank once a week and make sure everthing is jiving.
This is going to be a very expensive hobby, one im willing to dive into! No rush on the move. The tank is roughly 5ft in length. 2.5ft deep and 2ft in height. A custom cabinet was built for the tank. Needless to say it will fill an entire wall. Again, Thanks to all who responded. I will let you guys know how the transport goes.

Doug1 · 08-13-2001, 10:46 AM

You could get someone to come in and do maint for a while but I would recommend joining up with the local reef club, it will accelerate the learning process tremendously

cme10sne1 · 08-13-2001, 10:46 AM

Fishdaddy,
Special thanks to you for the tank moving article.

FishDaddy · 08-13-2001, 06:42 PM

Rubyjones,
You're mighty welcome!
Dick