Moving my tank. Best practices

[saullman]

I am trying to prepare mentally and physically for a big move coming up in 3 weeks. Just bought my first house. I was wondering if you guys (and girls) have any tips for making my move easier. I have a 45 gallon JBJ which is sitting fallow due to a disease that killed all my fish. I only have corals and inverts left in the tank which should make the move a little easier. I plan on dedicating one entire day to the tank. It will be after my main move.

Rock:
I was told to transport the rock using the tank water since the rock contains all the beneficial bacteria.

Corals:
For the corals I was told to move the in small containers and put them in a cooler to transport so they wouldn't get too hot. I have less than 10 corals. LPS and softies. They are not glued down to rocks because I knew I was moving.

Water:
I was told not to move the water other than what I needed to transport the rock, corals, and inverts. Otherwise buy new salt water.

Sand:
I was told to dump the sand that I have (fiji pink live sand) and start fresh. I kind of wanted to do that anyway because the sand is so fine that it seems to find its way into the back of my JBJ all-in-one tank. Someone even mentioned to me that I should look into getting dry sand so I'm not sure if I should go with live or dry?

Last question:
Once I set the tank back up in the new location does it have to be cycled all over again? I don't plan on stocking it with fish right away. I was just wondering.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks y'all!!!

 

[DSC reef]

Your plan sounds solid. Since your using the rock I wouldn't worry to much about a cycle. I would use live sand but it's just a preference, dry sand is fine otherwise just rinse your sand in tank water and reuse.

 

[C-Reefer]

I am trying to prepare mentally and physically for a big move coming up in 3 weeks. Just bought my first house. I was wondering if you guys (and girls) have any tips for making my move easier. I have a 45 gallon JBJ which is sitting fallow due to a disease that killed all my fish. I only have corals and inverts left in the tank which should make the move a little easier. I plan on dedicating one entire day to the tank. It will be after my main move.

Rock:
I was told to transport the rock using the tank water since the rock contains all the beneficial bacteria.

Corals:
For the corals I was told to move the in small containers and put them in a cooler to transport so they wouldn't get too hot. I have less than 10 corals. LPS and softies. They are not glued down to rocks because I knew I was moving.

Water:
I was told not to move the water other than what I needed to transport the rock, corals, and inverts. Otherwise buy new salt water.

Sand:
I was told to dump the sand that I have (fiji pink live sand) and start fresh. I kind of wanted to do that anyway because the sand is so fine that it seems to find its way into the back of my JBJ all-in-one tank. Someone even mentioned to me that I should look into getting dry sand so I'm not sure if I should go with live or dry?

Last question:
Once I set the tank back up in the new location does it have to be cycled all over again? I don't plan on stocking it with fish right away. I was just wondering.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks y'all!!!

Congrats on the new house!!

Rock and corals both sound good. I would put the corals in as much water as you can, it'll keep parameters stbale, especially heat. I'd go ahead and put the thermometer in the cooler so you can tell if you need a heat pack or cool pack.

Water, just mix up a new batch of SW when you get there. I'd get a big container like a Brute trash can if you don't already have one so you can mix up all the saltwater at once in just a few minutes.

Sand, good advice. I'd go dry if you already have the good live rock.

Nope, not cycled if hte rock stays good. I'd definitely watch for ammonia spikes from possibly some die offon the rock or finding some untouched places with detritus.

Don't forget you'll have to acclimate your corals to the new saltwater when you go to move them in.

 

[saullman]

Congrats on the new house!!

Rock and corals both sound good. I would put the corals in as much water as you can, it'll keep parameters stbale, especially heat. I'd go ahead and put the thermometer in the cooler so you can tell if you need a heat pack or cool pack.

Water, just mix up a new batch of SW when you get there. I'd get a big container like a Brute trash can if you don't already have one so you can mix up all the saltwater at once in just a few minutes.

Sand, good advice. I'd go dry if you already have the good live rock.

Nope, not cycled if hte rock stays good. I'd definitely watch for ammonia spikes from possibly some die offon the rock or finding some untouched places with detritus.
-Someone mentioned about buying an ammonia alert badge to put on my tank.

Don't forget you'll have to acclimate your corals to the new saltwater when you go to move them in.

-How is this done? Sorry I'm new to this game.

 

[Dom]

If your tank is currently sitting fallow due to disease, my preference would be to break it down, disinfect and start all over again. Why chance it?

 

[JBKReef]

Do you have any QT tanks or smaller tanks around? Since you have the new home and a couple days to maneuver everything. Get a holding tank available at the new house, if possible even use some of the tank water from a water change to help match salinity and chemistry. Then when you get to the new house you can get the corals, rocks, and inverts into the holding tank while you maneuver the JBJ, get the new sand in, and fill with fresh water.

 

[Coral Passion]

Do you need to be out of the old house the day you move into the new house?

 

[iDeath]

I would recommend utilizing Prime once you set your tank up. No matter how diligent you are in moving things carefully you WILL absolutely have die off that will cause an ammonia spike and possibly snowball. Things like sponges which make up a large biomass inside our rocks and around can die after even a brief exposure to air.

Gratz on the new digs and best of luck!

 

[saullman]

Do you have any QT tanks or smaller tanks around? Since you have the new home and a couple days to maneuver everything. Get a holding tank available at the new house, if possible even use some of the tank water from a water change to help match salinity and chemistry. Then when you get to the new house you can get the corals, rocks, and inverts into the holding tank while you maneuver the JBJ, get the new sand in, and fill with fresh water.

Yes, I bought a QT to setup at the new house after all this happened. I can use the water that I transport the rocks, corals, etc. to use in the QT. That's a good idea.

 

[saullman]

Do you need to be out of the old house the day you move into the new house?

No, it doesn't have to be on the same day. We are doing our move one day and then coming back for the tank another day.

 

[saullman]

I would recommend utilizing Prime once you set your tank up. No matter how diligent you are in moving things carefully you WILL absolutely have die off that will cause an ammonia spike and possibly snowball. Things like sponges which make up a large biomass inside our rocks and around can die after even a brief exposure to air.

Gratz on the new digs and best of luck!

Should I also use an ammonia spike badge?

 

[Coral Passion]

Thats a little less stress then. You can set up a holding tank either at the old house now and clean and prep the tank for a moving on the day. You can then move the water and livestock the day after or so.

I had an issue two years ago when I bought a new house and had to be out the same day as I moved into the new house. The best solution for this was to set up a holding tank at a nearby friends house the week or two before I moved meaning I didn't have to stress about time constraints

 

[SneakyTortuga]

I am trying to prepare mentally and physically for a big move coming up in 3 weeks. Just bought my first house. I was wondering if you guys (and girls) have any tips for making my move easier. I have a 45 gallon JBJ which is sitting fallow due to a disease that killed all my fish. I only have corals and inverts left in the tank which should make the move a little easier. I plan on dedicating one entire day to the tank. It will be after my main move.

Rock:
I was told to transport the rock using the tank water since the rock contains all the beneficial bacteria.

Corals:
For the corals I was told to move the in small containers and put them in a cooler to transport so they wouldn't get too hot. I have less than 10 corals. LPS and softies. They are not glued down to rocks because I knew I was moving.

Water:
I was told not to move the water other than what I needed to transport the rock, corals, and inverts. Otherwise buy new salt water.

Sand:
I was told to dump the sand that I have (fiji pink live sand) and start fresh. I kind of wanted to do that anyway because the sand is so fine that it seems to find its way into the back of my JBJ all-in-one tank. Someone even mentioned to me that I should look into getting dry sand so I'm not sure if I should go with live or dry?

Last question:
Once I set the tank back up in the new location does it have to be cycled all over again? I don't plan on stocking it with fish right away. I was just wondering.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks y'all!!!

I’ve had to move my old 50 gallon 4 times. It wasn’t fun but each time I did it with minimal issue.

Go to Home Depot buy some cheap bins or 5 gallon buckets. Get enough to transfer everything. At least 8. Make sure you devote a day to moving just the tank to try and minimize any stress on the corals/fish.

Rock: I would stake the rock in the buckets completely submerged in water but if you have corals on the rocks don’t stack them put them throughout the bins.


Corals: take them off the rocks if you can if not don’t stress just make sure you have bins to leave Enough room for the corals not to get damaged.

Water: space out all the water throughout the rock and coral bins/buckets. Take all the water out of the tank.

Make sure you have plenty of fresh salt water on hand! You WILL need it and you will spill water throughout this process.

Sand: if the sand bed is not too old or not too dirty don’t worry about it. If it is old and is a deep bed I would remove and replace.



It shouldn’t have another cycle if you use the same rock. You may have a nutrient spike due to all the detritus being misplaced. Just make sure you do a water change shortly after the move.

I would move the tank COMPLETELY EMPTY. The last thing you want is to crack the tank because you drop it or damage it in any way. Move it empty. Tanks are usually too heavy as is

Most importantly... good luck and don’t stress too much

 

[saullman]

I’ve had to move my old 50 gallon 4 times. It wasn’t fun but each time I did it with minimal issue.

Go to Home Depot buy some cheap bins or 5 gallon buckets. Get enough to transfer everything. At least 8. Make sure you devote a day to moving just the tank to try and minimize any stress on the corals/fish.

Rock: I would stake the rock in the buckets completely submerged in water but if you have corals on the rocks don’t stack them put them throughout the bins.


Corals: take them off the rocks if you can if not don’t stress just make sure you have bins to leave Enough room for the corals not to get damaged.

Water: space out all the water throughout the rock and coral bins/buckets. Take all the water out of the tank.

Make sure you have plenty of fresh salt water on hand! You WILL need it and you will spill water throughout this process.

Sand: if the sand bed is not too old or not too dirty don’t worry about it. If it is old and is a deep bed I would remove and replace.



It shouldn’t have another cycle if you use the same rock. You may have a nutrient spike due to all the detritus being misplaced. Just make sure you do a water change shortly after the move.

I would move the tank COMPLETELY EMPTY. The last thing you want is to crack the tank because you drop it or damage it in any way. Move it empty. Tanks are usually too heavy as is

Most importantly... good luck and don’t stress too much

Thanks for the advice. All Good info.

 

[SneakyTortuga]

Thanks for the advice. All Good info.

Remember whatever buckets or bins you use you can always return as soon as your finished! I even bought suction cup handles for the tank for my move. They made moving the tank a breeze and I returned it all after

 

[saullman]

Remember whatever buckets or bins you use you can always return as soon as your finished! I even bought suction cup handles for the tank for my move. They made moving the tank a breeze and I returned it all after

Yes, we think alike. I was too embarrassed to mention it, but I was going to do the same thing.

 

[Dburr1014]

I would save all the water.
Empty everything into bin like others said.
Put in new sand when the tank is in the house. Add most of the water but save one bin of water.
Hold each rock and twist and shake to get the poop out of the rock in that one bin.
Add coral, add new salt water to top off. Throw away that old poopy bin of water.
Now you have a small water change, clean rock and clean sand. No worrying about any spikes cuz it won't happen.
Cheers

 

[saullman]

I would save all the water.
Empty everything into bin like others said.
Put in new sand when the tank is in the house. Add most of the water but save one bin of water.
Hold each rock and twist and shake to get the poop out of the rock in that one bin.
Add coral, add new salt water to top off. Throw away that old poopy bin of water.
Now you have a small water change, clean rock and clean sand. No worrying about any spikes cuz it won't happen.
Cheers

Good plan.

 

[Aquavaj]

A 45g will be a walk in the park. My brother and I just broke down a fully running 120g at the seller's house. Took us 3 hrs and we took about 80g of the water.

A single large tote will be more than enough for the rocks. I bought 4 and only needed 2. Don't fill them up too high with water since they're not water tight and will slosh in transport. Buckets with lids might be better.
Once home get a powerhead and heater going for the rocks.
I only had to deal with fish but for corals you can use a cooler or place them sparsely in buckets. Best would be small ziplock bags in a cooler with ice or heat pack.
If keeping the sand you can either leave it in the tank or empty it out into a bucket. Since it's a fairly small tank it's not much just to get new sand.

I had some die off and caused a mini cycle since I took a few days to get it back up. I added a small bottle of bacteria and it was completed in 4 days.

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

I was just there with a 35 gallon reef. My move went pretty well, I did lose my favorite fish, a lawnmower blenny. Didn’t lose any corals and all my parameters are fine. My sps seem a little cranky but even they all made it. My acropora isn’t doing awesome but he did fall on my acan twice and I think he was really displeased with that, I’ve since moved him. Make sure to have prime and bottled bacteria to help out.