Moving your tank

[me35]

I'm moving at the end of the month and just wanted some stories about moves that other people have done with there tanks. What worked and what didn't.

 

[NeilsReef]

Something I have done, when the move is local, is that I try to be intentional about the move. When possible I focus just on the tank system/livestock itself, by moving it indavidually to its new location. A friend and myself dedicate as much time as necessary to make the move a success, we try not to rush ourselves. Oftentimes when we are burdened by the overall move, our tanks don't get the attention they deserve. The following thread sums it up, thanks Neil

You may have already read this thread in our resource library, if not here it is:

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/j_wiseman_101898.html

 

[NeilsReef]

me35, I wish you the best on your move. How big of a tank do you have the pleasure to move?

 

[me35]

I have a 55 gal with about a 30 gal sump/ref. I don't think it will to to bad just time consuming. Plus it gives me a little time to tinker with things I can't get to all the time.

 

[NeilsReef]

I have moved my 55, 4 times now. It wasn't that bad at all. It is kind of routine for me now. I will never move my 55 again, that is because I sold it, lol.

 

[me35]

Any more stories form any one?

 

[CarlaW]

I would just make sure that I had plenty of buckets, and about 20- 30 gallons of saltwater premade, before you get ready to make the move. You will be doin a "water change" anyways . You will be able to keep a bunch of your old tank water in the buckets with all of your stuff.

 

[me35]

Any more stories form any one?

 

[Elmo18]

Well, college student with tank means i gotta move the tank when i move, too. So hmm...from my last move to my current location...and as some of you already know...i will be moving again shortly...sigh.

Here are in my opinion, key in being successful for a tank move:

1. Have several medium buckets that you or you and someone else can carry together, make sure they are rinsed clean.

2. Have extra already PREMIXED saltwater to correct SG as tank water prior to moving. I would say having about half as many gallons of new water as your tank size is good. I have a 75 so i had about 25-30 gallons ready. More is always good in case anything happens.

3. Have extra heaters. So you unload and unload your stuff to your new place. But before you can put the stuff back in you gotta rearrange rocks, put new water in, etc. This takes time, and the animals/corals/critters need to be kept happy in a fairly constant temp as they were in before being placed in buckets.

4. Have extra powerheads. Same reason as the previous. Water flow brings oxygen through gas exchange while your'e doing prepping the just moved tank.

5. Not necessary in my opinion, but a bag of fresh carbon is always nice right after you put your rock and water in, and your livestock. Just adds an added touch of security.

6. Beer and pizza for those helping

I believe its better to move things in one day. However, i have a DSB and had to wait a day before putting all my stuff in due to cloudyness, etc. I think successfully doing a tank move can be done in many ways, and there is never really one same scenario...rarely.

Some pics of my move into where I am currently:

Poor clowns but they are now spawning, so not too bad.

- Elmo

 

[NaH2O]

Here is another thread Tank Move - DONE. Page 2 has the pictures of the move.

 

[kevinpo]

I always move the tank last after everything else (furniture) is out of the house and placed at the new house. Then move the tank in. It is best if you can round up 2 other people that have moved tanks before. If you can then the move time should be about 4 hours. Let me know when you are ready and I will give you a hand. Maybe I can get Brandon to help too (you might have to pay him though).

Regards,
Kevin

 

[me35]

Thanks Kevin I will let you know.

 

[jazznreef]

yea, i agree with kevin. do the tank move separate from everything else. what can really screw you up is if you are mixing other moving activities in the same day. also, u mentioned tweaking your system during the move. be careful with that. try not to do anything that would extend the out of water time for your critters. otherwise, the input has been good in this thread. just balance being careful with being quick and don't extend it over two days.

 

[nemoisfound]

Anyone move to a diffrent state or overseas?

 

[NeilsReef]

nemoisfound I have...

Originally posted by nemoisfound [/i]
Anyone move to a diffrent state or overseas?

I moved my first tank I purchased, a used turn key mini reef from Washington to Oregon. It was state to state, but it was still fairly close. I looked online for information on what to do;
http://www.seahorse-nw.com/Moving.html