Tank Move

[nathan]

I probably should mention I'm moving to a new house, not just moving the tank from one room to another.


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Hey buddy I'd be very careful what you decide to do with all the opinions. ... I'd error on tge side of caution so you don't lose everything but that's up to you

 

[Luke.]

Just putting this out there .. When moving a tank don't you have to take the sand out to ? Because it's awkward for the bottom pane of glass ?

 

[jeffopentax]

Just putting this out there .. When moving a tank don't you have to take the sand out to ? Because it's awkward for the bottom pane of glass ?

If it were a bigger tank, i would definitely take out the sand. Mine has a 20" x 18" footprint, so doesn't make sense to take it out.


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[Luke.]

If it were a bigger tank, i would definitely take out the sand. Mine has a 20" x 18" footprint, so doesn't make sense to take it out.


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True I was just thinking the day I have to do mine if I should take the sand out

 

[jeffopentax]

True I was just thinking the day I have to do mine if I should take the sand out

I wouldn't try to move anything longer than 30" with sand in it. Many years ago we moved a 60g without taking gravel out. Not only did it weigh a ton, but the bottom pane cracked!


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[jeffopentax]

Well, given the equally divided opinion on new vs used water, I guess i'll leave an inch or so in tank, probably use 2 pails for fish and rock (which should be 10-15g altogether), and top up with new. Then sit and stare at the ammonia badge with a new bottle of prime in my hand!


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[TORX]

No! Don't leave anything. If you disturb the sand bed, that water will be poison. Reusing the sand is not a good idea unless you remove and clean.

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[Alberych]

On the flip side, removing and cleaning the sand will strip a lot of his bacterial film... I would take all the water out but leave the moist sand when you move. It's only a 30gallon so with 1 helper it shouldn't be too heavy.

 

[jeffopentax]

Haha you guys are really making it difficult to decide how to do it!


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[Joshbrookkate]

I agree with Torx.
Most people don't reuse the sand when they reset a tank.
But putting fresh live sand in will start a mini cycle, I believe. So I'd rinse out your old sand well using that extra water I suggested having on hand. Your live rock will help to offset the ammonia created of course, as well as that "Prime".
Lol
PS - I have some Poly-Filter and Prime that I will be happy to give to you to have on hand. I buy it cheaply from the US. Just need to get one of our guys to get it from me to you....

 

[Alberych]

I might be mistaken but I think that what Torx is worried about is hydrogen sulfide getting released from anoxic zones in the sand bed. I think that if your bed is less than 2 inches, there is very little chance of significant anoxic zones (as long as the tank hasn't been sitting without water flow). He could also be referring to built up waste in the substrate that could get released, leading to a spike in nitrate/phospate. You could minimize this issue just by stirring up the sand bed 20% at a time with a siphon in the days leading up to the move.

Of course, sometimes sand gets pretty randy over the years... maybe you want a new substrate anyway. Your LR will likely seed it in a few days anyway.

 

[Alberych]

Randy Holmes-Farley talks about moving his tank here and offers his thoughs, fwiw.

 

[Poseidon]

not to jump in and ruin things
but ill just tell you how I've moved countless tanks. Sometimes from 4 hours away on a uhaul. lol

When dismantling, carefully remove all coral and live rock and fish,
place them in buckets full of tank water, if you want extra tank water, simply take that out before you disturb the rock. you want it as detritus free as possible
DO NOT disturb the sand while you are doing this.

Once all the livestock is safely out of the tank,
drain it (the water will be clouded and 'gross' by then)

throw that water out. (the water in your coral buckets and the water you set aside before will be plenty)

DO NOT re use or keep the sand moist.
Scoop it out, and wash it, thoroughly.
Then put it back into the tank when you get to the new place.

When you get to the new place,
set the tank up.

Place the new sand in.
Add any new water/clean tank water you kept from before.

Let it settle for a bit, make sure temp/salinity/ph are all the same.
Add rock
then coral
then wait for a bit long
and add the fish.

The bacteria on the rock should be OK as long as you kept it submerged the whole time.

Will you see a cycle? Yup, guaranteed, any time you pull a rock out of the water some bacteria dies (not all, just a wee little bit, obviously getting worse the longer its out)

Your goal is to make sure its so small nothing is affected.


GOOD LUCK JEFF! moving is never fun, especially with livestock to worry about

 

[EricTMah]

not to jump in and ruin things
but ill just tell you how I've moved countless tanks. Sometimes from 4 hours away on a uhaul. lol

When dismantling, carefully remove all coral and live rock and fish,
place them in buckets full of tank water, if you want extra tank water, simply take that out before you disturb the rock. you want it as detritus free as possible
DO NOT disturb the sand while you are doing this.

Once all the livestock is safely out of the tank,
drain it (the water will be clouded and 'gross' by then)

throw that water out. (the water in your coral buckets and the water you set aside before will be plenty)

DO NOT re use or keep the sand moist.
Scoop it out, and wash it, thoroughly.
Then put it back into the tank when you get to the new place.

When you get to the new place,
set the tank up.

Place the new sand in.
Add any new water/clean tank water you kept from before.

Let it settle for a bit, make sure temp/salinity/ph are all the same.
Add rock
then coral
then wait for a bit long
and add the fish.

The bacteria on the rock should be OK as long as you kept it submerged the whole time.

Will you see a cycle? Yup, guaranteed, any time you pull a rock out of the water some bacteria dies (not all, just a wee little bit, obviously getting worse the longer its out)

Your goal is to make sure its so small nothing is affected.


GOOD LUCK JEFF! moving is never fun, especially with livestock to worry about

I've moved 100's of tanks and this is the best way to do it. More labour intensive, but you'll see the least amount of die off this way

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[reef keeper]

Correct

 

[jeffopentax]

Luckily it's a small tank, so no big deal to do it that way. Might even just buy new substrate.


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[jeffopentax]

Moving day. Fun fun. How long will livestock be ok in a pail? Wondering how much time I have to empty/move/setup.


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[Shooter000]

If you've got a air pump and stone, and a heater, you got all the time in the world, today's supposed to be pretty decent temp. You should have lots of time anyways, good luck!!! And May the FISH-Force be with you

 

[Poseidon]

yea ive had fish and corals in a 5g pail from 2pm in barrie until 8-9pm when i got home... just dont cook or freeze them and you'll be fine
Good Luck!

 

[heath]

good luck with the move, if you made a plan you will be fine, I have moved fish in the middle of winter in pails, not by choice...with the weather today you will be fine...