Need advice on moving an aquarium.

[Big G]

Dead serious. I'm messaging you...

Nice

 

[brandon429]

the reason we don't need to know his water params is because in the sand rinse thread we don't test for any params. him moving states is the same biology as taking apart the tank in the home and putting it back together after a sandbed cleaning, this just adds the transport variable as a sep challenge

He can use the same brand makeup water when he arrives if needed, or change, that coral isn't going to die from a brand name change my lps reef sees 5x changes a year Im solely on LFS made water/they rotate based on cost.

if he moves the tank without causing an upwelling of detritus during the move or set up, the system will not die. Fish transport doesn't follow the same protocol as they can be stressed from any upheaval, but not the bacteria, corals, rocks, biosystem and filtration. that's all instant skip cycle work no matter how we part out the receiving tanks.

the parameter detailing is post install, for algae detailing etc

 

[brandon429]

I think this is a euphyllia cristata let's ID this coral

It's the largest home one I recall. The Denver pet stores hammer might be bigger, but if this is a grape coral here it's largest in captivity I bet

 

[Aaron iReef2]

Penn Plax makes a very affordable air pump that runs on 2 D batteries. Its called a Silent B11 Air Pump. Usually runs $25 to $30 each.I used 2 D batteries that were new extended life batteries and they lasted 16 hours. So if you buy an 8 pack of Ds you can last at least 48 hours .
Basic Advice on a big move.
Get a few heavy duty tubs you can fill with about 15 or 20 gall of water each.
* Put as much live rock as you are gonna keep in 2 of the tubs with 1/2 new salt water and 1/2 current aquarium saltwater.
- use one B11 air pump and split it with a T fitting to both bins. Place a heavy airstone in the bottom of each tub. Temp is not gonna be super important for the live rock. Some of your coral can go in these tubs too. (As long as it doesn't exceed 83 f)

* Next set up the other tub for the fish with its own dedicated B11 airpump. Zip tie a piece of Poly Filter (by bio marine incorporated specifically) around the airstone for the fish tub. (not needed for the live rock tub) POLYFILTER will help to control water quality and help control ammonia build up along the way. (Alot of companies sell poly filter pads, bu t get the actual POLYFILTER by Bio Marine Inc.
- use all brand new salt water mixed the way you have always mixed yours for the fish tub.
- stop feeding your fish 1 day prior to the actual move. This will keep fish from putting off as much waste during the move.
- add 1 drop of Aqua Vitro ALPHA per 2 gallons of saltwater to the fish tub. You may repeat this every 6 hours during the actual drive or move. ( APLHA will help to control ammonia and nitrite during the trip. )
- If it is a very long journey you may consider having an extra 5 gallons of saltwater mixed up, to do a 10 or 20% change along the drive.
- KEEP any biological filter media that you have intact from your 12o gallon tank ALIVE through the journey. So if you have bio balls, ceramic media, or and reusable sponges, or even bio wheels, put them in a mesh media bag and put them in one of the live rock tubs. Not the Fish tub tho. ( Do not clean these medias, you want them dirty with bacteria and some detritus) The bacteria should survive the journey along with the live rock that is colonized with bacteria)

* Ideally, it would be nice to have a tank in place at your new location. I would recommend nothing smaller than a 75 gallon tank for these fish, but I still feel they will be stressed by down sizing after this many years.

When You arrive, Set up filtration quickly. Make sure temp and salinity are very close to what you maintained in your original tank.
Add ALPHA in proper dose to the new system. A lil extra ALPHA cannot hurt.
Run the new system at least 30 minutes before adding live rock and filter media from the old system.
Run one more hour before starting to acclimate fish to the new tank.
Do not turn tank lights on til next day unless you are needing to inspect fish for a few minutes every once in awhile.
You may add a little less live rock to the smaller tank so that there is some more swim space for the fishes. But you will want to add a sufficient amount for the bacteria colonies to start filtering. Provide good alternating water flow in the new system.

Feed Lightly the first week or so.
Make Sure to Monitor (Test) ammonia, nitrite, temp and salinity frequently the first 3 weeks after the move.

Have used this method many times. Works very well. Follow order of events carefully.

ps. Just recently helo a patron move a 2' long stellatta puffer from northern Colorado to Mid East Texas this same way. Worked Great !

Also, people lose their minds when I tell them about my 26 year old Purple Tang. Its doin great still !

I'm busy but will revisit this post if I can in next couple days.

Thanks
Aaron B
iReef2.com

 

[Adam H Sherman]

Penn Plax makes a very affordable air pump that runs on 2 D batteries. Its called a Silent B11 Air Pump. Usually runs $25 to $30 each.I used 2 D batteries that were new extended life batteries and they lasted 16 hours. So if you buy an 8 pack of Ds you can last at least 48 hours .
Basic Advice on a big move.
Get a few heavy duty tubs you can fill with about 15 or 20 gall of water each.
* Put as much live rock as you are gonna keep in 2 of the tubs with 1/2 new salt water and 1/2 current aquarium saltwater.
- use one B11 air pump and split it with a T fitting to both bins. Place a heavy airstone in the bottom of each tub. Temp is not gonna be super important for the live rock. Some of your coral can go in these tubs too. (As long as it doesn't exceed 83 f)

* Next set up the other tub for the fish with its own dedicated B11 airpump. Zip tie a piece of Poly Filter (by bio marine incorporated specifically) around the airstone for the fish tub. (not needed for the live rock tub) POLYFILTER will help to control water quality and help control ammonia build up along the way. (Alot of companies sell poly filter pads, bu t get the actual POLYFILTER by Bio Marine Inc.
- use all brand new salt water mixed the way you have always mixed yours for the fish tub.
- stop feeding your fish 1 day prior to the actual move. This will keep fish from putting off as much waste during the move.
- add 1 drop of Aqua Vitro ALPHA per 2 gallons of saltwater to the fish tub. You may repeat this every 6 hours during the actual drive or move. ( APLHA will help to control ammonia and nitrite during the trip. )
- If it is a very long journey you may consider having an extra 5 gallons of saltwater mixed up, to do a 10 or 20% change along the drive.
- KEEP any biological filter media that you have intact from your 12o gallon tank ALIVE through the journey. So if you have bio balls, ceramic media, or and reusable sponges, or even bio wheels, put them in a mesh media bag and put them in one of the live rock tubs. Not the Fish tub tho. ( Do not clean these medias, you want them dirty with bacteria and some detritus) The bacteria should survive the journey along with the live rock that is colonized with bacteria)

* Ideally, it would be nice to have a tank in place at your new location. I would recommend nothing smaller than a 75 gallon tank for these fish, but I still feel they will be stressed by down sizing after this many years.

When You arrive, Set up filtration quickly. Make sure temp and salinity are very close to what you maintained in your original tank.
Add ALPHA in proper dose to the new system. A lil extra ALPHA cannot hurt.
Run the new system at least 30 minutes before adding live rock and filter media from the old system.
Run one more hour before starting to acclimate fish to the new tank.
Do not turn tank lights on til next day unless you are needing to inspect fish for a few minutes every once in awhile.
You may add a little less live rock to the smaller tank so that there is some more swim space for the fishes. But you will want to add a sufficient amount for the bacteria colonies to start filtering. Provide good alternating water flow in the new system.

Feed Lightly the first week or so.
Make Sure to Monitor (Test) ammonia, nitrite, temp and salinity frequently the first 3 weeks after the move.

Have used this method many times. Works very well. Follow order of events carefully.

ps. Just recently helo a patron move a 2' long stellatta puffer from northern Colorado to Mid East Texas this same way. Worked Great !

Also, people lose their minds when I tell them about my 26 year old Purple Tang. Its doin great still !

I'm busy but will revisit this post if I can in next couple days.

Thanks
Aaron B
iReef2.com

Thanks Aaron, this is great information. I've moved this aquarium once time but it was only 30 miles, this'll be 6.5 hours by car. Much appreciated.

 

[Aaron iReef2]

Thanks Aaron, this is great information. I've moved this aquarium once time but it was only 30 miles, this'll be 6.5 hours by car. Much appreciated.

 

[Aaron iReef2]

For sure. Im an older reef keeper too and I own a nice little custom aquatic and reptile shop in Greeley CO.
We produce alot of corals and breed fish too. I love the story of the age if your fish and the euphyllia coral also.
Find a reputable shop in your current location and try to get some decent instore credit from them for some of your coral. Maybe they can get you the b11 airpumps, alpha, airstones and polyfilter for some of your coral.
But try to keep a nice chunk of your coral too. It should ship decent in yhe live rock bins.
Also, if you ever get time check out our new website
ireef2.com
Just getting it going and populated.

We also ship dry goods and try to match most MAP pricing on the higher end equipment.
So if you have dry goods needs, contact [email protected] or 970 353 3400
Animal Attraction.

Safe Travels Sir
A. Blake