Moving my 29g biocube

[Spanky05]

Hello,

I'll be moving my 29gal biocube within the next few weeks/months/whenever someone decides they want to buy my house.

I've read several posts and the consensus appears to be to take out your water, put in buckets, put LR on buckets, put fish in bags/buckets, toss or clean sand and then put it back together when you get to your desired location.

One thing I'm concerned about is my BTA is stuck to the back wall of my aquarium and is kind of wrapped around a piece of LR.

Also, I have some rock flower anemones that are settled onto some LR and partially on my sand bed. I'm a little worried they'll get smashed in a bucket.

I previously had moved a 37 gallon tank (long time ago) by taking the water volume to about 30% and just moving it very slowly and carefully, driving no more than 15 mph. It didn't stir things up too badly and I didn't lose any livestock.

Was I incredibly lucky?

I was hoping to move my biocube in this manner but I'm not seeing any evidence to support that except for my last positive experience.

Here are some pictures of my tank for reference.

Thanks for your time and input!

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Spanky05]

again.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[pickupman66]

Moving SUCKS. I have moved one o fmy ref tanks 6 or 7 times in 15 years. Last year in Feb, I had to move my 66 gallon reef twice. once to a temp home then to our new house. It was a very successful move with ZERO casualties. Here is how I accomplished it.

1. Setup RODi at new location - Pre-mix your saltwater day before the move so its ready to go at new location.
2. I used empty 5 gallon buckets for my fish and filled them completely full of water and then sealed with a lid. Took me 3 of them.
3. I plucked all loose corals up and individualy bagged them and put them into one ice chest. This included some LARGE LPS.
4. My Two BTA and Two Flower rock anemones stayed on their rocks. I placed their rocks and those with zoas on them in other ice chests and topped them with water.
5. Base rock went into its own cooler and then topped with water as well.

carried this all over to the new location and then set it all back up. Incidentally, while at the temp location, one of my rocks flowers decided to span two rocks with its foot and I unknowingly tore it in half when I was pulling my rock work. it recovered and looks great. if it is fully attached to the glass, you can easily attempt to peel it off. or if it is attached to both, encourage it with your finger to release the glass.

 

[Spanky05]

Thank you for the input. I'll have to move to a temp house and then to my new house as well. Giving me anxiety!

 

[pickupman66]

that torn nem is the green one here on the right
.

 

[brandon429]

if that was my tank id buy a cheapo powerhead and mount it aiming at the anem to bother him, make him move to rocks I could then complete your first summary of moves. yes its ok to move tanks without the takedown, but its upwelling nutrients that lead to algae challenges whereas the first one is a detritus intercept move. I fully believe one can move tanks without ever taking them down there's a big ole sps tank above reefing at a stoplight.

 

[Spanky05]

I SO wish I could set my biocube up on my arm rest like this in my car