Big Tank Move!!

[BigReefer]

hey Team

I am working on moving into my 150 gallon tank ... just working on the stand and then i am planning the sump ect ... no rush getting everything right .... the move happens in oct..

but this build is going where my 93 cube is .... without selling all my live stock , corals and fish ect ...

whats the best way or how do you guys/ gals do a move??? Just steps should I take ect ???

any help would be great

I was thinking rubbermaid garbage cans ... and put it all in there ... saving water and then putting it all in the 150 ....

thoughts??


thank you team

 

[heath]

omg, it is one hellva job, do you have another tank or a qt tank that you can move things into? That's what I did when I went from my 90 to the 125.. the move doesn't happen as quickly as you think, just concerned about them being in totes for that long..

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Ive always kept stuff in rubbermaids and what not while im moving tanks... if u can if have the water ready mixed and up to temp and params before the move thatd be best, Less stress the better. Ive moved my tanks a few times now with 0 losses. Dont reuse substrate.. and reusing the water isnt neccesarry unless ur short on water. By the time ur done shifting rocks and everything else youve dirtied up that water so try to drain good water before you start moving stuff so you have clean water.also be ready for a lot of work if u plan on doing it the same day, which ive done evrytime. It can take sometime tho.

 

[scubasteve]

calling @EricTMah your the man to ask here since you do it for a living lol im sure he has figured all the kinks out in what to do... ive done a transfer before but im sure he will give ya a few tips to keep losses non existant or minimal

 

[reef keeper]

I've got a 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tub I can lend you when the time comes. Just put all your existing stuff in there and light it. Done.

 

[heath]

the new tank is going were his cube is located. been there and done that with this last move.. maybe his living room is bigger than mine and he can have both tanks in the room while the plumbing is being done..definitely not a one day job..

 

[EricTMah]

calling @EricTMah your the man to ask here since you do it for a living lol im sure he has figured all the kinks out in what to do... ive done a transfer before but im sure he will give ya a few tips to keep losses non existant or minimal

Thanks buddy.

So it basically boils down to two ways of doing this. Both have pros and cons

1- tear down old and set up new in one day

2- Move existing tank to temporarily spot

1
Pros; all done in one day
Cons; highest risk of losses and it's a long ass day

2
Pros; lowest risk of losses, can cycle new tank before, can take your time plumbing new system, extra time to work kinks out.
Cons; need temporary space to move existing tank to.

Depending on your specific situation. One way may suit your needs more than the other.

Before we go further into detail and how to minimize losses. You need to let me know which option you're planning to go with.

Obviously if space isn't an issue. My best recommendation would be option number 2

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[Sewerat]

I was lucky with my move. Sump was in basement and all I did was share the sump with new tank for a couple weeks then move inhabitants over slowly and shut down old tank before removing it permanently

 

[averhoog]

when I moved mine everything went in to totes and moved to my place got tank in place had 90 gallons of water made up put the new water in put rock in and substrait let settle for a bit then added the fish and filled the rest of tank with the old water then plumed sump the next day filled sump with new water and was done was pretty much 13 ours the first day then 5 hours to finish the rest up the next day

 

[heath]

Eric, you are the best...either way its a hellva job...

 

[BigReefer]

Thanks buddy.

So it basically boils down to two ways of doing this. Both have pros and cons

1- tear down old and set up new in one day

2- Move existing tank to temporarily spot

1
Pros; all done in one day
Cons; highest risk of losses and it's a long ass day

2
Pros; lowest risk of losses, can cycle new tank before, can take your time plumbing new system, extra time to work kinks out.
Cons; need temporary space to move existing tank to.

Depending on your specific situation. One way may suit your needs more than the other.

Before we go further into detail and how to minimize losses. You need to let me know which option you're planning to go with.

Obviously if space isn't an issue. My best recommendation would be option number 2

Sony Xperia Z3

I think what Eric is saying is pay him to come over and help ... seeing how he is a professional


thank you guys for all the tips ... what i was planning on doing is rough it all in the garage plumping ect ... then bring it inside ... hmmm

I can try plan 2 Eric setup a temp tank downstairs or something and more it all and then setup new tank ... get that working ect ....

then put it all together .... i just wish the wife didnt want it in the same spot

 

[scubasteve]

I think what Eric is saying is pay him to come over and help ... seeing how he is a professional


thank you guys for all the tips ... what i was planning on doing is rough it all in the garage plumping ect ... then bring it inside ... hmmm

I can try plan 2 Eric setup a temp tank downstairs or something and more it all and then setup new tank ... get that working ect ....

then put it all together .... i just wish the wife didnt want it in the same spot

lol happy wife happy life

 

[BigReefer]

this is true i cant complain ... I mean this is my 3rd tank within one year ... i did promise this will be my last change for awhile ...

 

[heath]

lol happy wife happy life

finally a man with some sense..lmao..you got it..

 

[heath]

this is true i cant complain ... I mean this is my 3rd tank within one year ... i did promise this will be my last change for awhile ...

with a new baby coming, I think your smart..

 

[scubasteve]

finally a man with some sense..lmao..you got it..

thats what happens when you grow up with twin sisters that are 16 years older lol it was like having 3 moms

 

[BigReefer]

bahahaha

 

[BigReefer]

Thanks buddy.

So it basically boils down to two ways of doing this. Both have pros and cons

1- tear down old and set up new in one day

2- Move existing tank to temporarily spot

1
Pros; all done in one day
Cons; highest risk of losses and it's a long ass day

2
Pros; lowest risk of losses, can cycle new tank before, can take your time plumbing new system, extra time to work kinks out.
Cons; need temporary space to move existing tank to.

Depending on your specific situation. One way may suit your needs more than the other.

Before we go further into detail and how to minimize losses. You need to let me know which option you're planning to go with.

Obviously if space isn't an issue. My best recommendation would be option number 2

Sony Xperia Z3

Eric I changed my mind I will or maybe go with step one ....

 

[EricTMah]

Eric I changed my mind I will or maybe go with step one ....

Ok.

So you've already got part of it planned out.

Set up the new tank in a temporary position and dry plumb all fittings and equipment to make move day go smoother.

A few tips (and I'm sure I'll think of more as your build comes closer) and things you'll need
Extra heaters
Air pumps with air line and air stones
Lots of rubbermaid containers(garbage pails are good for live rock and fish. But the long low profile ones are best for corals) extra ones to store and mix up new salt water to age, bring up to temp and salinity. *also make sure containers have lids to help reduce evaporation to reduce the risk of salinity swings*
New crushed coral or sand for new dt
(old sand can be reused in the fuge, but must be cleaned very, very well before reusing)

Without writing a book on the step by step. I personally would tackle the job this way.
Weeks leading up to the swap be sure to have lots of rodi water collected and also enough new saltwater mixed up. Proper temp and salinity will help reduce loses
I would actually tare down the old tank the day before. Remove all corals and place in the long rubbermaid, live rock into the garbage containers and save as much water as possible with the remaining containers. Add heaters and air pumps to ALL containers, even if it's just water. To not allow any of the containers to become stagnate and save as much bacteria as possible.
Remove all crushed coral and begin the cleaning process, or set aside to be cleaned at a later date.
Get the old tank out of the way and prepare for new tank.
Set up new system with all the saved old water and new water.
I recommend to be sure you don't go through a cycle. Use a bottle or two of Dr Tim's One and Only

That's the Cole's notes of it.

Are ya getting what I'm saying?



Sony Xperia Z3

 

[reef keeper]

Yup. I have a 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank if you need it.