Moving reef to a new house. Any suggestions?

AndrewM · Feb 11, 2014

Hello Reefers,

So I've got myself into some trouble here; Me and my wife are finally able to move into the larger home right next door since it has become available and I'm a little concerned about moving my reef tank! I've moved my freshwater tanks several times in the past (75G/55G/65G), so those will be a breeze to move later this week when I begin the process, but I've only had this reef setup for a few months and I've never had to move one before.

In lieu of screwing up my hard work, I will be asking for you guy's help. What's the proper procedure in moving a reef tank to ensure that nothing goes wrong? It's not a large tank, it's a 20G tall and doesn't have any "extremely" finicky corals (Mainly softies).

The home we are moving into is literally 30-40 steps from my back door, so the travel is minuscule. But the challenge still comes from dismantling and re mantling, any tips on this?

Just looking for the best way to get this tank moved.

Thanks guys.

Sdoutreefer · Feb 11, 2014

I had to move my tank to another house, twice, and it isn't that bad. Get some 5 gallon buckets, a big Styrofoam cooler, and a buddy (or your wife) take out your rock put them in the 5 gallon buckets with the tank water. If you have rock with corals attached, stick those in the Styrofoam cooler with water as welll. Put all fish and other livestock in the cooler. Siphon all the water out of your tank, or as much as you can, and keep it till you reach the new home. Put lids on everything for the ride. If you have a DSB, try to not disturb it. If you do you'll have to change out the water you couldn't get out of the tank. With a small tank it shouldn't be too much trouble. Good luck!

Moving my tank actually benefitted it a lot. I did a complete water change and got a chance to rescape. After the first move, my tank looked the best it ever did.

90greefman · Feb 11, 2014

When i moved my 120 i just made sure i had a whole day just dedicated to that. Pretty much just put all the water in large 55g food safe tubs along with lr, corals and fish. Ran airstones and heaters till the tank was put back together with plumbing. Had about another 50g of extra water available so it was just like a lare water change. Worked out nicely. A lot of work though.

AndrewM · Feb 11, 2014

Do you suggest keeping all of the old water and dumping it back in when I have it setup at the new place, or keeping a portion and replacing the rest with new water? Travel is very very light in this move, it literally takes 5 seconds to walk across the yard to get to the new house, so I do not think I need any elaborate traveling gear would I? Just a few buckets to transfer the livestock in.

mike007 · Feb 11, 2014

If it is only a 20 gallon tank why can't you remove half the water and and carry the tank over to new locate? I would save the 10 gallons and replenish once the move is completed.

AndrewM · Feb 11, 2014

mike007 said:
If it is only a 20 gallon tank why can't you remove half the water and and carry the tank over to new locate? I would save the 10 gallons and replenish once the move is completed.

Mike,

I thought of doing this on a large board (to reduce stress on the tank bottom). Do you think I could remove 1/2 the water, keep the rock and corals in the tank and move it over like that? I have someone that can help me carry the tank (since it's still obviously going to weigh a good amount).

I like the idea of doing it that way though, as to avoid removing all the LR and having to find out where it went when I put the tank back together. Do you guys think it's possible?

Spendley · Feb 11, 2014

Hey Andrew. I moved my tank across my basement a couple months ago, I have a 29g biocube so also not a big tank. 5 gallon buckets are your friend! I went and bought a couple new ones and another plastic bin (which i was able to wheel for the most part would probably not work with steps). One bucket was used for RODI / new salt water - the rest for moving. So make a new batch of whatever your would normally do for your water change.

Unplug everything and get the equipment out of the tank and ready to move! Then, drain a couple gallons of your tank water into a 5g bucket, then add some of your rocks. Make sure you have enough room for the rock, you don't want to be spilling a bunch of water. Keep doing this for 4 buckets or whatever it takes, corals along with the rocks. You can get your fish last, and at this point they will be easy to catch because there will be no rocks for them to hide in, and a lot less water. Keep however much in the tank you feel comfortable moving, and then move the tank over to the new location. Then I would advise getting all of your electronics and setting them back up on the tank. Bring over the buckets with the water, rocks, corals, livestock. One bucket at a time, pump water into the tank and whatever else was in that bucket into the tank. I think I played it safe and then drained 5gal water from my tank, filled with 5gal new salt water - but you could also make the last 5g you pump in from the new salt water, whatever you think is better. Boom you're good to go, fresh water change and tank all set up in your new home.

Congratulations on the new home by the way

Reefing Madness · Feb 11, 2014

mike007 said:
If it is only a 20 gallon tank why can't you remove half the water and and carry the tank over to new locate? I would save the 10 gallons and replenish once the move is completed.

Bingo. Piece of cake right here. Only remove whats need from the tank, so that you can lift it, 2 persons. Go as slow as you need to. Removing everything ahead of time, the time frame it will all be disconnected will not harm a thing. Get a batch of water made up ahead of time, and your all set.

PaulKreider · Feb 12, 2014

Honestly since its a close move I would remove any excess rock, take out 10 or 15gallons of water and then just walk the tank, instead of disturbing the sand bed. Don't leave any coral exposed to the air for more than five minutes though. I would put any fish in a bucket also to reduce stress and risk of a rock falling on them or something. Any frags or small easy to move corals could be put in the buckets of water. You shouldn't have much to worry about.

AndrewM · Feb 12, 2014

Alright guys.

I'm going to go with the take 1/2 the water out and walk it over method as to avoid disrupting the corals, LR, and sand.

Thanks for all the help, I was quite worried in the beginning!

darren.funk · Feb 12, 2014

Good luck! I'm moving my tank that's just finished cycling into my new house as well but is a few miles away. I have a 20g tall as well but no livestock just LR & starfish etc growing

AndrewM · Feb 14, 2014

The move was a semi-success; The guy I had helping me move my tanks bailed after the first 3 aquarium (55/65/75) and said he wasn't doing anymore, naturally I saved my saltwater until last since it was the toughest to move (despite being the smallest). At any rate, I drained all the water out except for enough to keep the fish happy during transit and then I was able to load it up in my truck and drive it next door.

I say semi-success because I couldn't for the life of me remember where my rocks went after I removed them all, therefore I had to go through and re-scape the entire tank because I simply didn't feel like taking all the rocks back out and trying to figure it out.