Moving a tank

[MyReef]

Out of all the things I have done, I haven't every really moved a tank larger than 30 gallons....any advise out there? I will be moving my 150 in March to a new house and want to plan now.

DO I keep the sand bed or start over. It is not a DSB, but only about 2". Would like it to be a DSB when I move.

I am moving all the inhabitants to a holding tank, so I can take my time with the move. What pitfals have you run into? If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently?

TIA--

[Spanky]

I am moving all the inhabitants to a holding tank

Andy,

In all honesty, I would start the whole thing over. With all the buildup of organics and such, I wouldn't use the same old tired filters.

Jerel

[gregt]

DO I keep the sand bed or start over. It is not a DSB, but only about 2". Would like it to be a DSB when I move.

Don't do it man. Toss out the current bed and put a new one in. Consider it like newspaper on the bottom of a bird cage. I'll never put another DSB in, but that's a discussion for another thread.

Basically, I'm just saying make it easy on yourself for the move and ditch the bed.

PS> I owe you pics. I already took them, just never sent them. Maybe I'll post them on a thread here instead...

[Spanky]

I'll never put another DSB in,

I agree

[Jimbo]

So are you guys saying not to use a dsb? Many people have claimed after a couple of years that they accumulate to much garbage and is detrimental. So do we need stuff like sand sifting stars to stir up the bed really well, so that the skimmer gets a chance to remove the buildup? Please explain

[Sand Reef]

Originally posted by Spanky
I agree

I agree with both of you. Maybe we could start another thread on this. I only put 1 to 2" inches of sand in my current tank.

On moving, Yes, throw out the sand. Wow, it collects stuff you wouldn't believe.

V

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

Andy,

I am going through this right now. In my new tank I made a 4 inch DSB from South Down. I will take the top layer from my existing tank to seed the new DSB. I will get rid of the old DSB or SB.

Then I will move al lof my LR and corals to the new tank.

Good luck,

Rob

[cyberchef]

Why not remove and wash the old sand with fresh water so it can be reused as opposed to throwing it out?

[gregt]

Washing the sand won't remove the nutrients it has adsorbed...

[cyberchef]

OK... Thanks, I hadn't thought about that...

[Rick O]

I can't offer any advice on the move but I can offer some muscle.

[Nubytuesday]

jusy dont drop the tank

[MyReef]

Wow, lots O' responses.

I had pretty much decided not to reuse the sand bed....just wanted to hear it first hand. I am assuming the only cycle I will go through is for the sand bed, since all the rock will be reused.

I am thinking I will take my time and keep the rock and corals in the holding tank for a while and seed the new sand bed for a few weeks then bring everything back....

Jerel, you wouldn't reuse the rock either? I think my wife would shoot me. LOL

I currently have a 2" sand bed in it and have had this bed for about 5 years....I like the look, so maybe more of the same. I will have a refugium in the new sump, so that will help also.

Thanks everyone....I am going to take my time and do it right, since I have the facilities to hold everything.

[gregt]

Andy,

Here's the thread with the pictures I promised you: http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...threadid=14230