Moving tank across country

Reef Bot · Jul 24, 2019

Hello Reef world,

Over the years I have frequented this forum for information and insight. I now have the chance to add to the forum. I have been reefing for some years now and still learning every other day

.

I will be moving from Bay area California to Nashville, TN. I have a 10 gallon reef with a lovely pair of clown fish. I am worried about the safety of the inhabitants from the move due to temperate swings and no fresh circulating water. Any advice about shipping, traveling, or possibly letting my tank go to a good home, would be appreciated.

Thanks Reefers

Crabs McJones · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!
Moving can be a stressful time. My best advice is to get a power inverter that can plug into your cars power outlet, and then get some air pumps and water pumps to keep everything moving and to temp during the trip. Storage totes make great transfer containers. Don't transfer in tank, if a rock falls and cracks or breaks the glass then you're really in trouble

Hope this helps

#WelcometoR2R
Crabs

Billldg · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!! I agree with crabs, an inverter would be you best bet.

PYRU · Jul 24, 2019

Get you an inverter. Run the basics. Clowns shouldn't be too bad considering how small they are. Good luck. Its no fun moving fish tanks anywhere. 10g shouldn't be that bad though

dbl · Jul 24, 2019

Moving is never fun and I can't imagine trying to move a tank. Here is a pretty good write up with some tips and suggestions.

Are you Moving???

Moving... Moving your reef aquarium can be a daunting task. Like that meeting or test you have tomorrow that you didn’t prepare for – but you know if you buckle down for the evening and work hard, you’ll be ready to go in the morning. Either...

www.reef2reef.com

SPR1968 · Jul 24, 2019

You have some great advice already so welcome to R2R!!

BeejReef · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to the forum. Best of luck with your move.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 24, 2019

Reef Bot said:
Hello Reef world,

Over the years I have frequented this forum for information and insight. I now have the chance to add to the forum. I have been reefing for some years now and still learning every other day .

I will be moving from Bay area California to Nashville, TN. I have a 10 gallon reef with a lovely pair of clown fish. I am worried about the safety of the inhabitants from the move due to temperate swings and no fresh circulating water. Any advice about shipping, traveling, or possibly letting my tank go to a good home, would be appreciated.

Thanks Reefers

Place in a high quality thermos/cooler and utilize a battery operated pump for oxygen and a couple drops of ammonia reducer in water to lower accumulation of toxic waste

GoVols · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef!!

One option could be to have a reef shop hold them, then ship them to Nashville when you get setup. Just tossing it on the table.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 24, 2019

Emarley · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Reef Bot · Jul 24, 2019

3 days on the road with my fish and coral may be too stressful for all parties. Do you think its a good choice to pull this off. The other option would be to give away everything, no one i know wants to take over the tank.

GoVols · Jul 24, 2019

Reef Bot said:
3 days on the road with my fish and coral may be too stressful for all parties. Do you think its a good choice to pull this off. The other option would be to give away everything, no one i know wants to take over the tank.

You could give it away. It's your call.

If you start from fresh, then swing by the Aquatic Critter in Nashville.

Ruben's Reef · Jul 24, 2019

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! I agree with @GoVols. You will be more stressful thinking if the tank and animals will make it thru the trip. It's a tough situation.

Retro Reefer · Jul 24, 2019

KJ · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Hitman · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Mark3 · Jul 24, 2019

Reef Bot said:
Hello Reef world,

I will be moving from Bay area California to Nashville, TN. I have a 10 gallon reef with a lovely pair of clown fish. I am worried about the safety of the inhabitants from the move due to temperate swings and no fresh circulating water.

I moved from Salt Lake City, to Tampa area in Florida. with a 75 gal tank. I bought an inverter so I could run pump, heater, and air pump for the entire trip. Everything looked pretty good the first part of the trip, but at the end nothing looked happy. Long story short = nothing survived....100% of life died. Washed off the rock and started over.

My advice is: sell or give away any livestock, take your tank, pumps and lights and start over when you get there.

rodney · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

hdsoftail1065 · Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!! I was faced with a similar situation when we moved from NC back to Kansas. We decided to re-home our livestock for their safety and our peace of mind. We did bring our equipment and rock with us. It was heartbreaking leaving all of our critters behind but we feel it was the right decision. The move itself was stressful enough. Risking watching out pets die on the way would have compounded the stress level. It's definitely not an easy decision, whatever route you take I wish you luck!