Dixie_reefer
Well-Known Member
Who all here have moved long distances with their reef tanks? Please share your experiences, good and bad. How did you do it? Anything you wish you had done different?
Long distance moves
- Thread starter Dixie_reefer
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Yes! I moved 8 months ago and wow did I learn from my experience. It was ugly. My idea was to put everything( fish corals and some rock) into 2 large tipper wares. I the put a pump in each tipper ware plugged into a cigarette lighter to 3 prong adapter. It was a disaster. I didn't account for that once something died it would have a domino effect on everything else.
My suggestion would be to pack stuff like you are shipping it. Use styrofoam coolers to buffer temp changes and bag everything separately. For the fish, the Tupperware with a bubbler would be fine. I dunno the whole moving thing is rough
My suggestion would be to pack stuff like you are shipping it. Use styrofoam coolers to buffer temp changes and bag everything separately. For the fish, the Tupperware with a bubbler would be fine. I dunno the whole moving thing is rough
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Dixie_reefer
Well-Known Member
I'm moving from fort campbell ky to fort bliss tx in june. Here's my plan. I'm going to buy another 10 gallon tank and set it inside a big cooler that I have and my husband is going to build a brace to go around it to keep it from moving. Then i'm going to start draining the tank water into the tank in the cooler and put the rocks that have corals attached in the bottom of the tank (probably on top of eggcrate so it doesnt break the bottom. Then add the 3 small fish and the frag racks for the corals as for my feather duster and my cleaner shrimp, im going to put them in a breeder net to keep them safe. I have battery operated bubblers to keep the water oxygenated. Im going to put the rest of the rock into buckets with water and a blubber. Also going to put a lid on the 10 to keep the splashing to a minimum and drill holes for the bubbler tube and for evaporation and gas exchange. We are going to break it down to a 2 day trip and check on the tank every couple hours. When we stop for the night, we are just going to pick up the cooler and bring it onto the hotel room and plug in a power head. Also planning on bringing fresh saltwater and ro water for top offs and water changes incase the need arises.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
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Dixie_reefer
Well-Known Member
Bump
steamer51
Active Member
If you are traveling in an older car there is a possibility of exhaust fumes leaking into the trunk due to a pipe or muffler leak. Carbon monoxide will kill anything so if that is the case put the livestock in the back seat not the trunk. If that is not possible (kids in the back seat) prop the trunk open a little so air flow will force out the bad fumes while you are driving. Good luck with the move and since I am guessing you are a military family thank you for your service.
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Dixie_reefer
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the reply, it was going to go in the bed of our older truck with a topper on but we have since biught a newer truck with a huge back sest that it it will be on.
