moving live rock

[zacjeff]

Here is my question: lets say you have a fully set up FOWLR tank, and have to move a 3 hour drive. I'm assuming there is no practical way to transport the live rock submerged, and thus a die-off would occur, so when you get to your destination, a tank with the rock in it would need to cycle and would be un-suitable for fish and shrimp for at least a few weeks, correct?

The reason I ask is I just moved into college, and was hoping for a 20 gallon FOWLR. But, I have to take it down and move it, you guessed it, a 3 hour car ride to my house three times per year. Fish and shrimp can go in a large Tupperwares all in a cooler w/ some replacement water for the half-way point, but the live rock is what I am really concerned about moving. Is there any possible way to transport live rock without incurring a die-off on a college-student budget? If not, I am fine with freshwater, but *sigh* FW just isn't the same.

 

[Krish]

If you wrap it in wet newspaper you should be fine. I mean that is a short amount of time compared to what the rock goes through being shipped to suppliers etc. If you could get a container to submerge the rock for the ride it would be better, but if not, just try to keep it moist. You shouldn't have much die-off at all and whatever little you do, should be taken care of quickly when the tank is set back up. Nothing really to worry about IMO.

 

[mcdonaldjosh7]

Hmm...I wouldn't think that much would be needed for the 20 gallon right? I mean if its 30 or less pounds it should be easy enough to keep them in a sealed bucket with water...

Then again, I have never had to transport liverock for that long so I wouldn't know all that well xD

EDIT: and no, FW isn't even close to the same haha. You could always look into a smaller nano tank...12 gallon aquapod seems like it would be perfect for something like this

 

[thatguy559]

+1 for mcdonaldjosh7

divide the rocks up into home depot buckets with lids on them submerge them as much as possible and if there is some rock exposed just wet some small towels to put over them put a lid on it and your done. i had about 250lbs of rock to move i moved it in a 32g brute with a plastic wrapped top and a tapped down lid. 17 hour drive

 

[zacjeff]

Thank you guys! I like the bucket method, don't know why I didn't think of it! Sounds good, very re-assuring. When it is up and running (which probably won't be until January) I will post pics.