Moving an established aquarium

I am Maul · Apr 30, 2016

I'm going to be moving soon, and need some advice on how to move my tank. I will not have access to the new house until the day we move, and only have 3 days to be out of the old place. What is the best way to move? I have a 65 gallon display, with a 20 gallon sump.
Can I just save all the water that is currently in the tank, move it all, and fill the tank back up once it is moved? I was thinking of filling 5 gallon buckets with the existing water, and placing the rock with the few corals I have in the buckets, and having one bucket with the few fish. Sand would probably stay in the tank while moving.
Any suggestions?

AlexStinson · Apr 30, 2016

that's pretty much the best way to do it, though you should probably remove the sand unless it is real shallow. See if your LFS can help, they often have 50+ gallon containers with a pump, that would make your life much easier.

ngvu1 · Apr 30, 2016

I use Brutes from HD. trash all the sand and substrate. You take most of the water from the existing tank but if the substrate is disturbed then don't. The live rocks are what keep the aquarium water stable. Not much from the water, but it is helpful.

I am Maul · Apr 30, 2016

I have what I would think is a shallow sand bed, it is less than 2 inches in the deepest spots, down to about an inch or less up at the front of the tank.

ngvu1 · Apr 30, 2016

1. If you disturb the sand bed, nitrate/phosphate spike might happen
2. If you move the tank off the stand, the weight inside might cause a tank fail if not careful...risky IMO
3. When you take the rocks off the sand bed, it is a minor disturbance right there

Anyway, good luck with the move. You know your tank best so you are the best one to move it

I am Maul said:
I have what I would think is a shallow sand bed, it is less than 2 inches in the deepest spots, down to about an inch or less up at the front of the tank.

kschweer · Apr 30, 2016

I recently moved and pretty much did what has been suggested above. I would reccomended replacing the sand no matter how deep it is. Also how ever long you think it will take its more than likely going to take longer lol. I severely underestimated how much work was involved moving my 57. Best of luck!!