Questions about Moving the tank

[sts04c]

Hey there everyone,

I am planning on moving in the next couple of weeks so the tank will have to be transported as well. I have done this in the past with smaller setups, so I just want to make sure I have thought of everything. My main concern is the sand.

The tank is 34 solana, LEDs, Tunze 9002, ATO, LPS mostly.

1) Should I lower the water to just above the sand level, keep the same sand, not stirring, and put everything back sorta like it was? or add new sand?

2) If I add new sand, would a mini cycle start?

Personal experiences are preferred, but any information is helpful.
Thank you in advance.

 

[hammcd]

following this one too...i may be moving soon and am interested

 

[mapleredta]

I'm going to be doing this as well but with a 45 cube. My plans are to put the tank on a small pallet (leave the bulkhead hanging off the side.) and to drain the water just above the sand and cut out a piece of cardboard and set on top of the sand and set something with some weight on top of it to keep the sand from moving too much. That's what I want to do anyway.

 

[sts04c]

Maple,
I like that idea of cover the sand so there is minimal movement.

Anyone ever changed there sand while moving tanks?

 

[mapleredta]

sts04c;605641 wrote: Maple,
I like that idea of cover the sand so there is minimal movement.

Anyone ever changed there sand while moving tanks?

I've always re-used sand but never had any issues. Perhaps I am lucky. Of course none of the tanks I had/moved had a DEEP sandbed. What is your plan for corals? Bag them? Buckets?

 

[jef4y]

When I moved down here we put 80# new sand in the display and moved the sump/fuge with its sand in tact.

We made out just fine this way, but I can tell you that the moment that sump moved an INCH, the water was like MUD it was so dark with detritus. I would never even consider moving a tank with sand in it for this reason.

While it MAY work out for you, there's a high enough chance that it will nuke your tank and then all of your hard work and efforts are completely lost.

The new sand did not cause any type of mini-cycle for me that was noticeable, but I did get the typical diatom bloom...

 

[sts04c]

mapleredta;605642 wrote: I've always re-used sand but never had any issues. Perhaps I am lucky. Of course none of the tanks I had/moved had a DEEP sandbed. What is your plan for corals? Bag them? Buckets?

I have re-used as well, no issues. Corals are going to go into a styrofoam and old tank water. Probably a couple styros, acans, chalices, and everything else in the last one. No bags becuase it is 4 miles. So I figure basically I would be wasting the bags, plus the extra work to tie off, zip, and re-open. When I moved up here from FL, I did this with corals and fish in styrofaom containers. Fish had an air stone, corals were fine. I lost my purple firefish but only because a rock squished em.


What about scrubbing rocks? The backside of the rocks have the little grey filaments, not pests, but not good looking either. Anyone every done this?

 

[sts04c]

JeF4y;605644 wrote: When I moved down here we put 80# new sand in the display and moved the sump/fuge with its sand in tact.

We made out just fine this way, but I can tell you that the moment that sump moved an INCH, the water was like MUD it was so dark with detritus. I would never even consider moving a tank with sand in it for this reason.

While it MAY work out for you, there's a high enough chance that it will nuke your tank and then all of your hard work and efforts are completely lost.

The new sand did not cause any type of mini-cycle for me that was noticeable, but I did get the typical diatom bloom...

Good to hear your move went well. I would be completely removing all sand and replacing, but the way it is sounding I may stick with the sand I have. Thanks for the information. Yeah, I am not looking forward to the cloudiness either.

 

[mapleredta]

sts04c;605654 wrote: I have re-used as well, no issues. Corals are going to go into a styrofoam and old tank water. Probably a couple styros, acans, chalices, and everything else in the last one. No bags becuase it is 4 miles. So I figure basically I would be wasting the bags, plus the extra work to tie off, zip, and re-open. When I moved up here from FL, I did this with corals and fish in styrofaom containers. Fish had an air stone, corals were fine. I lost my purple firefish but only because a rock squished em.


What about scrubbing rocks? The backside of the rocks have the little grey filaments, not pests, but not good looking either. Anyone every done this?

As far as the rock goes, I would think swishing the rock around and maybe taking a NEW toothbrush should get all the unwanted stuff off your rocks.

 

[mapleredta]

agentgreen;605680 wrote: Haha man, I'm not moving my tank, but that pallet idea is fantastic! Great way to transport tanks with bulkheads on the bottom.

:yes: This isn't my first rodeo. lol