Moving a tank, Ditch the sand?

mainn · May 9, 2018

I am moving a 30 gallon tank to a new house about 15 mins away. I moved it at this same time last year and totally replaced the sand bed when I did. My question is could I just leave the sand and a bit of water in the bottom of the tank and drive it to the new house, or should I throw the sand out even though it is only a year old.

Crystal Reef Aquatics · May 9, 2018

You can do either. Typically, moving it with the sand in the tank will expose anaerobic zones and stir up detritus. We generally recommend that customers replace sandbeds during a move. Best wishes!

kirbuno · May 9, 2018

I did a similar thing when I moved a tank a couple of years ago. I tried not to disturb the sand bed as much as possible, but the water swishing back and forth still mixed it up pretty good. It ultimately worked out but, it was only a 60 gallon acrylic so fairly light. Don't think I would try it again with a glass tank just because if the weight. Secondly, if I were to do it again, I would take out out the sand rinse it well in some fresh salt water and then reuse it. You would most likely keep much of the good bacteria, while getting rid of the "crap" that has built up. Re-dose it with more friendly bacteria to start it up again.
Trying to keep the sand intact is sort of a lazy man's way to do it, I wouldn't recommend it having done it once.

mainn · May 9, 2018

I am also setting up another tank, that I have some dry sand saved up for. Do you think it would be wiser to use the new dry sand for the tank move and do a hose in bucket for the old sand to reuse on the new tank?

saltyfilmfolks · May 9, 2018

If your coral aren’t particularly sensitive , you can wash the sand with a hose in a bucket.
Put tank water in it for the move.

I’ve done it more than once in transfers.

TysTanks · May 9, 2018

mainn said:
I am also setting up another tank, that I have some dry sand saved up for. Do you think it would be wiser to use the new dry sand for the tank move and do a hose in bucket for the old sand to reuse on the new tank?

Depends on if you feel like you may need the bacteria from your current sand. If you end up using the dry sand, I’d rinse it with RO water before use. Going to help make sure it’s not super cloudy or dirty. If you end up using the current sand, I’d rinse with salt water like the other user suggested.

LuizW13 · May 9, 2018

When i moved (about the same distance), the tank was the last thing in the truck and the first thing out. I kept the sand and just enough water to cover it. The water was real cloudy and nasty looking, so i waited a few hours before putting everything back in it, and did something like a 50% water change.

Everything went smooth for me, no weird bacteria issues or anything. Maybe it's cause the tank had been running for only a few months.

K. Steven · May 9, 2018

If you have been stirring it regularly, it likely won't have too many organics to cause a problem and I would keep it. If it's been neglected, then I'd toss it and get new sand.