please help-need advice on moving my tank

[toerickson]

hi all let me first say in advance thanks for any help that you might have to offer. without getting into to much detail lets just say that my tank has to be completely broken down an moved out of the house into another. i am seeking info on this move as far as a temporary tank. i currently have a 90 aga with a 30 aga sump, about 100 lb of figi, 2" live sand, 4 sps, various softies crabs, snails, stars etc... do i need to start the temp tank with sand or can i go bb short term? should i start with new sand? cycle the whole tank again? will the temp tank also need to cycle? i have a relativly short time period to work with so i really could use a basic timeline to work from. once again thanks in advance

[ChrisPrusha]

I certainly think you can go BB with the temp tank. Some will suggest you go BB with the permanent tank.

How far do you have to move? You could buy some small rubbermaids and move the rock in those...it would certainly minimize the chance of a new cycle.

[toerickson]

actually the move is less than ten miles. rubbermaids are my best friends. i suppose i need to research the bb vs sand debate. what are most doing these days with what results

[ChrisPrusha]

Originally Posted by toerickson

actually the move is less than ten miles. rubbermaids are my best friends. i suppose i need to research the bb vs sand debate. what are most doing these days with what results

That's prolly a neverending debate!

Best of luck with your move!!

One other thing...you may want to start with new sand, if you decide to go that route. Disturbed sand can be trouble.

[toerickson]

thank you and thanks for your input

[Reef-Keeper]

i will ALWAYS suggest taking ALL of the water with you also !! when we moved i move about 300 gallons of water with my tanks, of course i had to lable the rubbermaids, but i had no cycle that i could detect with the Hagan test kit.
just leave enough water in the tank to cover the sand, take all of the water, move the rock, and carefully pack the corals in the water from the tank that you are taking and you should be good to go.
i stuck a powerhead and heater in all the tubs while i was setting up the tank, so the corals would still feel at home.

[VWD]

It is not hard to move a tank, Plan it out and be ready to move when the time comes, Have friend that can help, I agree on this is a good time to change out the sand, Save as much water as you can, Keep liverock wet and in water that You will be keeping. I have found that the brute trash can are very helpful in moving, You can place rock in them and fill with tank water , Then tank tank down clean and move and set it up. It can be done in a matter of hours. I do try to save aleast 50% of water if I can, I have done it with less and have never had a problem, as the rock is cycled and the amount of new saltwater is like a large waterchange.