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Moving a Tank...; Without killing anything
Topic Started: Feb 3 2009, 05:55:46 PM (113 Views)
Post #1 Feb 3 2009, 05:55:46 PM	Amie
So, the question has been asked by fallingstar, "how do you successfully move a 72 bowfront tank in the winter". The fact that winter was included in the question must mean that the tank is being moved from house to house so any responses should keep this in mind. The most important thing you can do in a successful tank move is in your preparation work. If you have all the right equipment ready to go, then things can go smoothly and quickly without a lot of stress on your fish and corals. First of all, you need to think of this as a really big water change. Keeping 100% of the water from the tank and putting it back into the new location has been detrimental to everyone I know that has tried it. That's probably my number one suggestion. I would also consider either vaccuuming the sandbed (or get someone else to vaccuum the sandbed for you that knows how to do it without disturbing the water) the day before you move the tank. This will reduce the amount of gunk that gets released into the water. You will need containers that can hold the fish along with heaters for each one and an air supply for each container as well. You will also need containers for your rocks (including heaters and airlines), and your corals. Remember that alot of corals can't touch each other so you will have to figure out how many different containers you will need to keep them all save from each other. Sometimes filling up a larger container with water and adding a heater to that water, then floating smaller containers with your corals in that water is a smart way to move them. There are people on this board, members of the X Squad, that are willing to help with this sort of thing. We can help you with heaters, air supply and even a generator in the truck or a connection in the car to keep the heaters running. Okay, I'll say more later...I'm sure Jerry's ready to jump in.	stormy, stormy nights Posts: 2,362 Group: Admin Member #4 Joined: June 29, 2008
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/interns.html Tell them Adam sent you.
Post #2 Feb 3 2009, 06:20:17 PM	Jerry
Sweet... I would have to agree with Amie on everything except the sand vacuuming. This is in large part because I don't vacuum my sand on a regular basis{me once every other year, 1/4 of the tank at a time each month for 4 months}, and she does monthly as part of her water change. Just personal preference. But keeping that in mind, if{and thats a big if} you are going to vacuum the sand, I would do it as you empty the tank, and dump that water down the drain. So here is how I have done it in the past {over a dozen times in the last year and a half} Steps: Preparations 1- Get enough friends and buckets, or friends with buckets {and provide a meal if you can} to come over at a designated time 2- Figure out exactly where you are going to put the tank in the new house/room {check floor to make sure it will support the weight} 3- Replace the outlet with a GFI and check the fuse box to see how much the breaker will hold, and estimate to make sure you will not be popping it.{always best if you can run a dedicated line} The Take Down: 1- Start by turning off all lights and electrical equipment.{You may leave the sump return pump on as explained in step 2. Also, Allow lights to cool before you burn yourself, if they are high enough or out of the way, then it is ok to leave them on to see and catch fish in a later step. You can also leave one pump running in the main tank if it is really big and needs oxygen exchange.} 2- Start to empty the sump into buckets{if you don't have a pump that will empty the sump, then leave this return pump on as mentioned in step one.} If the sump pump is still on, drain from the main tank until the sump is empty. Then remove all live rock and macro from the sump{and don't forget that little damsel that you stuck in there a few months ago}. 3- Now you can start to remove corals and live rock. I will come back to this and finish in a little while...I think this is going to turn into an article for me....	X SQUAD Posts: 623 Group: Members Member #42 Joined: September 7, 2008
Post #3 Feb 3 2009, 06:42:49 PM	Suzy
WoW! Very helpful info!	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,047 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!
Post #4 Feb 4 2009, 01:24:09 AM	Amie
Hey Jerry. Did you know that if you post something on the internet, you have exactly 1 year to claim it as your material? In otherwords, if someone reads your post and likes what you wrote, then goes and writes an article, claiming that it's their own information, you can actually sue them if it's within a year of posting the information. It's a copyright infringement. Cool, huh. So you better get that article written within a year, or I'm stealing it. ;)	stormy, stormy nights Posts: 2,362 Group: Admin Member #4 Joined: June 29, 2008
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/interns.html Tell them Adam sent you.
Post #5 Feb 4 2009, 10:08:32 AM	Jerry
hahaha maybe I should attach a few pictures to it for you to steal as well...	X SQUAD Posts: 623 Group: Members Member #42 Joined: September 7, 2008
Post #6 Feb 4 2009, 10:14:28 AM	Amie
Really? That would be great. But would you finish your writeup please!	stormy, stormy nights Posts: 2,362 Group: Admin Member #4 Joined: June 29, 2008
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/interns.html Tell them Adam sent you.
Post #7 Feb 7 2009, 01:32:32 AM	Chad
I have a 15 passenger van and if you are really moving a 72 bowfront we can do it easily with out killing (I mean Losing) anything. I would pre mix (and get up to temp in the location the tank is going to be moved to) about 35 gallons and have it cycling and aerating at least for 24 hours before the move. I have enough totes and buckets to do this no sweat. I didn't lose anything when I moved my 175 bowfront in jan. Granted I knew I would be moving it and didn't have much in there. But we could do it in my van so that everything can stay warm enough and it shouldn't be too hard at all.	breeding stock Posts: 75 Group: Members Member #94 Joined: January 23, 2009 Name Chad Carter
I'm Chad and I'm here to help along with the rest of the X-Squad, Feel free to contact me anytime!
Post #8 Mar 17 2009, 12:49:43 PM	21ducks
The tank I have is the last one I am moving for awhile. I may set up a new one if we move into another home, but if we do that, whoever buys my current tank is moving it, while I am on vacation far far away :)	fry baby Posts: 10 Group: Members Member #146 Joined: February 7, 2009 Name Brandon
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