Moving a "nano reef" across America

[Garin fisher]

So I've been involved with reefing for about 2 1/2 years now while I've been stationed at Fort Drum which is upstate NY, I'm looking at getting out and returning to Cali with some of the equipment I've acquired. I know I can't take it all so I'll most likely sell most of it on here and facebook but I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts of how I should go about this.

I have a moving company taking all my big items and I plan on putting my full reef setup in the back of my jeep Cherokee... which isn't to bad, being that it's a low boy and is only 24''x24''x12'' the only thing that really concerns me is the stand, which is about the same size as the tank only that its about 3'-4' tall. I forgot to mention, I'm also traveling with a 100 lbs. Akita...

What I was thinking was just take my hydras, my coral most likely bagged and my fish all in a 5 gallon bucket. Now I don't think that my fish will get to cold with me driving but the water could get chilly just having room temp. warm it. I'll be bring a small 25 watt heater and I actually have a AC house outlet in my jeep so I was wondering if I could maybe use that, but then again, it might pose a problem with the bagged coral or even live stock.

I have 4 clowns (could probably rehome a pair), a purple tang, a six line wrasse, a lawnmower blenny, and an abundance of crabs, snails, and snail eggs. So if you live in upstate NY come get some free clean up crew members lol.

I'll be attaching some pics of my tank once I get home

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!! Thank you for your service.

 

[link81]

i'd let the moving company handle the tank and stand. then if anything breaks it's on them.
as far as the livestock? thats tougher. can definitally do a smallish plastic container with a watertight lid.
add a good smaller heater and a 12-120 DC-AC converter to run it off the vehicle while driving. stick a few live rocks in it, and pray for the best.
worst case you can set up a super cheap 20g when you get there while waiting for your "real" tank and stand to be delivered.

and thanks for your service from a squid.

 

[dbl]

First, thank you for your service. Secondly, welcome to R2R and your new reefing family.

 

[Retro Reefer]

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Welcome to r2r good luck with the move!

 

[cracker]

Welcome ! You have a long drive ahead of You. How much time do you have before You set out?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Welcome to R2R and Thank you for your service!!! Good luck with the move and Safe travels going home!

 

[Garin fisher]

Thanks everyone, I’m thinking I’m going to do this move around May June time frame.

 

[Garin fisher]

i'd let the moving company handle the tank and stand. then if anything breaks it's on them.
as far as the livestock? thats tougher. can definitally do a smallish plastic container with a watertight lid.
add a good smaller heater and a 12-120 DC-AC converter to run it off the vehicle while driving. stick a few live rocks in it, and pray for the best.
worst case you can set up a super cheap 20g when you get there while waiting for your "real" tank and stand to be delivered.

and thanks for your service from a squid.

I like the idea of the 20 gallon and having the moving company take care of the tank! Just something temporary

 

[NY_Caveman]

Welcome to R2R! In the 90s I moved from Syracuse to San Francisco. Very similar. I broke my tanks down for the move though. Should take about 4 days for the drive. 3 if very ambitious.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome to the group.

 

[Garin fisher]

This is the tank I’m unfortunately going to have to tear down

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[pickupman66]

thank you for your service.

Moving across town is one thing, moving across the country. YIKES. I am potentially facing that with my 66 gallon reef as well. I have YEARS invested in it and really dont want to sell it. but dont want to kill everything either. I wish I had advice but i will just watch here and see.

 

[Garin fisher]

Welcome to R2R!!!

Thank you!!

 

[cracker]

Good, Good You have time to plan. I'd think coral & fish are the only thing that complicates things. The rock can get a little cold & be fine. Maybe wrapped in wet newspaper but You will have a cycle when Ya setup again. You need a source of salt water when ya get there.At least until you get your rodi hooked up. Maybe try & find a source close to where you are going to. there is more I gotta think about it.

 

[SandJ]

Welcome to R2R!
We made an 11 hour move...broke down 3 tanks that morning (along with the African grey’s bird cage, a dog, a cat and a chameleon).
We set up two tanks as soon as we arrived at the new house that night. It was super stressful. I will probably never bring livestock on a long move ever again. I was super careful and planned everything out extensively, but things still happen (such as not having enough water to get the return pumps back up and going...solved finally by filling plastic bottles with water to increase the tank water level). Had several losses, but most every thing survived. It was just heartbreaking knowing I caused some of the things not to survive, when they could be thriving in someone else’s tank.

 

[Garin fisher]

Good, Good You have time to plan. I'd think coral & fish are the only thing that complicates things. The rock can get a little cold & be fine. Maybe wrapped in wet newspaper but You will have a cycle when Ya setup again. You need a source of salt water when ya get there.At least until you get your rodi hooked up. Maybe try & find a source close to where you are going to. there is more I gotta think about it.

Yeah I’m thinking just going to a LFS and getting there RODI. Worst case I go to petco and get there instant ocean box. I kinda hope these guys break my tank [emoji23] I’d like a new rimless tank. I’ve always wanted starphire glass. I’m thinking water box is next? Lol

 

[Dimmy007]

Welcome to R2R!!!