Beginner here with a few questions

[Woody Peatt]

So I have spent a few days looking through many posts. I have learned a lot but there was one topic that I did not come across and for that I could use some help. I had a tank in college, probably didn't take too good care of it, but for me it worked, some coral grew, most of the fish seemed happy, and it looked pretty dang good. However it was a simple tank, had no plumbing and was only like 30 gallons. I would really like to get back into it with a larger tank, the limiting factor I have now is that I am in the Air Force. Why is that a problem, well I move every 2 to 3 years. I would love a large tank, but I just don't think it is feasible until I am more stable. Having to take the tank down every few years to move could be catastrophic to the sea life which is a fear. I was hoping to see if anyone has built a tank and still dealt with many moves, what worked best as far as equipment, how big you went where you could still fit it in a truck, and any lessons learned. I know this is kind of open ended, but many of the articles posted are about building a tank for the long haul...not the long haul down the road.

Thanks for the help!

Woody

 

[Big G]

Thank you for your service to our country and welcome to R2R! My daughter moves around a lot due to her job. She has a Bio-Cube32. All of the equipment is self-contained. And it is easy to move around with a two-wheeled hand truck. So I'm thinking "cube" type tanks are easiest to move around, especially by yourself. She sets up a light bio-load (just a few fish) and tries to get fish that are hardy. When she has to relocate she donates the fish to others or her local fish shop. Hope this helps. And thanks again for your service and sacrifices to our nation.

 

[mjlash22]

Smaller tank is going to be your best option I feel until you are more stable with a home.

I just moved a reefer 250 (approx 65 gallon total volume) and it was a whole day project, not to mention the cost of a uhaul, 5 gallon buckets, etc. I couldnt imagine moving a larger tank, not to mention every couple of years.

I guess on the flip side, it would be kind of exciting to be able to rebuild, pending the livestock is ok.

 

[scott11106]

i totally agree, you do not want to move a large tank and a small tank can look real cool. also once you get to a point that you are not going to move you would probably get a big tank and also keep your nano...

 

[jsker]

Thank you for you service!! and welcome to R2R and the community. I had a 75 gallon fish only live rock and moved it quite often across the country. It would depend on the logistics of the move, sometime I would load the fish in a cooler for short moves with a battery air pump and when I arrived I would place a powerhead in the cooler. The live rock I would load in a cooler and place paper towel over the rock and leave 3 inches of water in the cooler for things that would crawl out. Those were three to 5 day moves. The other option is to sell the live stock and move the tank or find a LFS that would hold everything and ship for you when you had your tank setup. There are way to do it if it is planned out.

 

[GoVols]

@Woody Peatt

Woody,
As you can see, your already in good hands.

Welcome to "our" Reef 2 Reef family, and we hope you feel at home

Freddie

 

[PatW]

Like everything, it depends. The largest commonly mass manufactured tank is 180 gallons. Marineland’s largest is 300 gallons. Glass Cages will ship large tanks of around 500 gallons. It can be done. But to move a large tank, you need a gang of people and a bit of knowledge. For live stock, you could take it down to the LFS to be held until you get your tank set up and then they could send it by Fed Ex. Or you could take them with you as long as the time frame was reasonably short. The live rock only needs to be wet, so a little water in a Brute trash can should be fine.

The main thing is that as the tank gets larger, the whole operation becomes more aggravating and complex. I would think a 4’ tank would be doable for most determined people. For the real hard core, a 6’ tank could be done.

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!!

 

[mjlash22]

Like everything, it depends. The largest commonly mass manufactured tank is 180 gallons. Marineland’s largest is 300 gallons. Glass Cages will ship large tanks of around 500 gallons. It can be done. But to move a large tank, you need a gang of people and a bit of knowledge. For live stock, you could take it down to the LFS to be held until you get your tank set up and then they could send it by Fed Ex. Or you could take them with you as long as the time frame was reasonably short. The live rock only needs to be wet, so a little water in a Brute trash can should be fine.

The main thing is that as the tank gets larger, the whole operation becomes more aggravating and complex. I would think a 4’ tank would be doable for most determined people. For the real hard core, a 6’ tank could be done.

Not to go off topic, but who makes the manufactured 180?

 

[Mr.Rocc]

As everyone has said thank you for your service.
I have moved my Nuvo 40 3 times. The process blow! As long as you have enough buckets and a picture of how it looked prior moving, it's not horrible. Most live stock will have no issues moving if 1, it doesn't get damaged during the move, or 2, it was healthy prior to the move. I hope this helps. O also battery powered air pumps also help!

 

[[Cameron]]

My suggestion is to consider relatively inexpensive livestock and sell it between moves. This will allow you to easily break the tank down easily between moves.

 

[JonPhillips]

So I have spent a few days looking through many posts. I have learned a lot but there was one topic that I did not come across and for that I could use some help. I had a tank in college, probably didn't take too good care of it, but for me it worked, some coral grew, most of the fish seemed happy, and it looked pretty dang good. However it was a simple tank, had no plumbing and was only like 30 gallons. I would really like to get back into it with a larger tank, the limiting factor I have now is that I am in the Air Force. Why is that a problem, well I move every 2 to 3 years. I would love a large tank, but I just don't think it is feasible until I am more stable. Having to take the tank down every few years to move could be catastrophic to the sea life which is a fear. I was hoping to see if anyone has built a tank and still dealt with many moves, what worked best as far as equipment, how big you went where you could still fit it in a truck, and any lessons learned. I know this is kind of open ended, but many of the articles posted are about building a tank for the long haul...not the long haul down the road.

Thanks for the help!

Woody

Buy a pre-owned established tank from a Facebook group or Craigslist in your area. Start with established water, rock, fish, and, maybe a few corals depending on how well it was taken care of. Build it up a bit. Grow it out. Sell it as a complete system. Move. Start the same process over. You’ll break even monetarily if you do it right, but, even if you lose a little, you will still save yourself the enormous hassle of a tank move that will be worth the money in the end. It’s heartbreaking what can go wrong quickly even with what seems like great planning. As soon and pumps and heaters go off, the clock is ticking and, man, does time fly when your in that rush of a panic. The lessons I’ve learned in the past have taught me that it’s extremely difficult to get mobile heat and air just right (not including how everything gets along in tight spaces. Think stinging). Even with all the right research, moving water with livestock just never goes smoothly.

Three years is a decent amount of time to keep a tank going. At the most I would say that if you must, buy your “dream tank” and hang onto it empty during the moves. Keep your hardware, but plan on a complete breakdown, clean up, etc. When it’s being set up again, just reach out and find established water and rock. Collect a few odds and ends here and there that you can trade for fish and corals. The barter system is one of the most underrated facets of this hobby, I think. Stuff moves quickly when it’s priced reasonably. No need to wait around 6 mon. waiting for a tank to cycle blah, blah, blah IMO. You’ll learn and find what works for you without being burned by losing a grand worth of livestock because you thought you could hang onto it. Your goal is to have an enjoyable tank in your home when your there, not that it has to look the same for its entire life. Moving is stressful enough. Consider how much time you’ll actually have to devote to the hobby during those transition periods. People who aren’t careful, leave this hobby for that very reason. It took too much time they say.

 

[Jesterrace]

So I have spent a few days looking through many posts. I have learned a lot but there was one topic that I did not come across and for that I could use some help. I had a tank in college, probably didn't take too good care of it, but for me it worked, some coral grew, most of the fish seemed happy, and it looked pretty dang good. However it was a simple tank, had no plumbing and was only like 30 gallons. I would really like to get back into it with a larger tank, the limiting factor I have now is that I am in the Air Force. Why is that a problem, well I move every 2 to 3 years. I would love a large tank, but I just don't think it is feasible until I am more stable. Having to take the tank down every few years to move could be catastrophic to the sea life which is a fear. I was hoping to see if anyone has built a tank and still dealt with many moves, what worked best as far as equipment, how big you went where you could still fit it in a truck, and any lessons learned. I know this is kind of open ended, but many of the articles posted are about building a tank for the long haul...not the long haul down the road.

Thanks for the help!

Woody

As someone who has merely transferred stuff from one tank to another and all the hassle that entails, I cannot imagine doing setup and tear downs on my 90 every 2-3 years and moving it hundreds or thousands of miles. It's not just the fish, it's the fact that you will need to replumb the tank, find a way to keep the live rock alive to prevent going through an entire cycle again. As you know if you get posted overseas you are going to be in a serious scramble to get rid of your tank. Personally I would search Craigslist and get a complete used 29-32 Gallon Biocube setup. It will be minimal hassle and you might be able to take it with you if your move is state side and worst case scenario you can likely sell it for what you paid for it, you will lose big $ on a large setup even if you go used because of all the live stock you will need to ditch in a hurry. It's not what you are really looking for but it will at least get you back into the saltwater hobby and still give you some options to play with.

 

[Daltrey]

When I was serving in the navy I had a 55 gallon saltwater tank. When you move you could sell the livestock or give it to a lfs.

I would just go with a red sea reefer 170 or 250.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefer-170-complete-system-34-gal-red-sea.html

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefer-250-complete-system-40-gal-red-sea.html

 

[ryancook9]

I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to serving and having to move (Go Navy!). I went with a biocube 16. All contained and will be a pretty simple move as long as it isn't to far. 15lbs of rock and is cycling now when done with flight school idk where I'll end up but getting rid of or taking 15lbs of live rock a couple fish and corals will be a breeze and 2 5 gallon buckets.

 

[mjlash22]

I know someone above mentioned the Red Sea Nano, but they also have the MAX Nano which would make moving even easier. Besides the light, no equipment/sump to have to take apart. Everything is self contained.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/max-nano-complete-reef-system-red-sea.html

 

[Dickeybrazil]

Welcome