Tips on moving my tank

[katzco]

I will be moving from Ga to Fl. How do I move my 125 gal saltwater tank? Are there movers you folks trust to perform the move? How do I handle the fish, questions questions, I’m really scared about destroying everything I worked hard for.
Thanks
Gary

 

[Dburr1014]

How far to move?
Pic of tank to see what you have.
How many fish?

Generally speaking, if it's not too far a move, fish in buckets, coral in buckets (seperated). Try to save some water with rock. Keep sand if you want but rinse completely. Move. Set up new tank dump water, rocks in. Put fish in a large brute with heater, Airstone. Sounds like you won't have temperature problems. Wait a day or to just to see if you have a mini cycle (should be quick if rock stays wet). Add coral, fish and enjoy.
If you have a long move you may have to alter things.

 

[Dom]

With careful planning and lots of help, this is a move that can be done successfully.

The best approach is to move EVERYTHING… including your water.

I helped a buddy move a 180 gal. He rented a Uhaul van and set it up with two deep cycle marine batteries and an inverter.

Also, lots of Home Depot buckets to carry fish, corals and remaining tank water.

Power small air pumps and circulation pumps in the buckets using the power from the inverter.

You won’t need heat this time of year.

The only thing that should be in the tank when you move is the substrate. Everything else in tank water.

And remember… no stopping to smell the roses. Go directly from point A to point B.

Hope this helps.

 

[katzco]

How far to move?
Pic of tank to see what you have.
How many fish?

Generally speaking, if it's not too far a move, fish in buckets, coral in buckets (seperated). Try to save some water with rock. Keep sand if you want but rinse completely. Move. Set up new tank dump water, rocks in. Put fish in a large brute with heater, Airstone. Sounds like you won't have temperature problems. Wait a day or to just to see if you have a mini cycle (should be quick if rock stays wet). Add coral, fish and enjoy.
If you have a long move you may have to alter things.

You say put fish in brute. What is that? Will take picture’s

 

[Dom]

You say put fish in brute. What is that? Will take picture’s

Brute makes trash pails. They are good for storing RODI water, but the smallest one you can get is 20 gallons (I think). A 20 gallon Brute filled with water would be nearly impossible to move.

 

[Projects with Sam]

I'd have some AmGuard on hand just in case you get ammonia spikes.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Brute makes trash pails. They are good for storing RODI water, but the smallest one you can get is 20 gallons (I think). A 20 gallon Brute filled with water would be nearly impossible to move.

There are wheels you can get. I have them for my 32Gallon Brute and its awesome. I fill it and move it next to my tank as my ATO reservoir.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’d make up maybe 10 gals of emergency sw. I moved my fish in 32g Walmart trash cans and about 7-10gs of water. I had a dolly .. I also had about 3-4 battery driven pumps and a large cooler . On long trips fish come inside hotel with me, keep cool
Whether you move your tank is risk tolerance. A 125 might be cheaper just to buy new on the other end vs hiring the moving…I dunno, check it out, if not get suction cups
Get whatever ammonia remover /detoxifier/ you prefer
I’ve always moved my rocks “moist” , no water. If kept humid, you would be surprised what survives. Just my opinion but moving fully submerge rock is riskier/harder… just what I do, not gospel

 

[Dom]

There are wheels you can get. I have them for my 32Gallon Brute and its awesome. I fill it and move it next to my tank as my ATO reservoir.

But remember, we aren't talking about a brute filled with water that's being moved from one side of a room to the other.

Uhaul van, box truck or pickup all require the brute to be lifted. And yes, while the box vans come with a ramp, I'm not sure I'd want to roll a brute filled with water up and down a ramp. I think is seems easier than it is.

Also, is having brute cans, filled with water, on wheels a good idea in a moving vehicle?

 

[Elmer.]

I would minimize what I'd move, instead of trying to move everything. Are you planning on actually moving the tank, or just its inhabitants and main equipment?

This video goes over the challenges of moving tanks. Maybe there are some good ideas in there for you:

 

[Doctorgori]

Let us know exactly what you have, how much live rock and is it encrusted with corals, montis, polyps, et?
what type of fish and the sizes
inverts, et et….
small fish would be fine in a simple 5g with a battery operated airstone…with a good detoxifier and/or water change, you could go a few days and be ok
same for inverts…,
corals would be ok similarly and good robust water movement via air stones work temporarily
…star polyps, mushrooms, even some encrusting sps can be out of water for over 24hrs if kept wet, warm and out of drafts …there are risk, but survivability is pretty good
I’ve always transported my rock “wet dry” and last time was from AZ to OH …

 

[katzco]

You say put fish in brute. What is that? Will take picture’s

This is what I will be moving. It’s 125 gal tank.

 

[Simon Reefing]

Doing the same move! Will the brute trash can be okay in the Uhaul for 8 hours? As long as there are air stones?