Transferring tank

[CruiseSF]

I am not exactly new to the hobby by have little experience outside of the basics. I have had a 30 gallon running for almost 2 years now and I have decided to upgrade to a 90 gallon tank. I have got the extra liverock for the tank, fully cured with coralline growth, only left the water for 15 minutes between the store and my house. Plus I have added in caribsea live sand. I will be transferring the live rock from the existing tank to the new tank as well. The only pieces of hardware not already on the new tank is the skimmer, as the one on the old tank is rated higher then 100 gallon and one of the power heads. Just wondering what you more experienced guys think is the best way to go about moving my existing tank over to the new one (across the room).

Current live stock
2 Ocellaris Clowns
1 Lawnmower Blenny
8 various snails

Coral
1 Frogspawn
1 Hammer
1 Bubble
1 Elegance
1 Torch
1 Birdsnest frag
1 leather
2 Fungia
Multiple mushroom morphs

 

[BadFish619]

I just did this, all I did was save as much water as possible. Went and got trash cans and filled them with tank water. Once tank was light enough I pulled it down. I set rocks in my new tank then scooped up the sand, and placed in new tank. Then began the process of refilling. You'll be adding 60 gallons of new water so keep your old. If your skimmer is rated for 100 why not use it? Are you running a sump?

 

[CruiseSF]

I just did this, all I did was save as much water as possible. Went and got trash cans and filled them with tank water. Once tank was light enough I pulled it down. I set rocks in my new tank then scooped up the sand, and placed in new tank. Then began the process of refilling. You'll be adding 60 gallons of new water so keep your old. If your skimmer is rated for 100 why not use it? Are you running a sump?

I was meant to say that the skimmer is being transferred to the new tank. The old tank didn't have a sump, this new tank however has one which was the main purpose of the move, and I decided that if I am going to do it I might as well go bigger.

 

[BadFish619]

Gotcha. Ya I'd just keep all your water, I kept my fish in a 12 gallon trash can with a power head to circulate the water. It all went fairly smooth and no casualties! Took me about 4 hours overall. Keeping the sand from clouding up was my biggest trouble. But after about 3 hours it was clear. I just used a bucket, rinsed and repeat until water was clear

 

[Irishman]

I used a 5 gal bucket with heater for fish. Coral I put in Tupperware and inverts in 5 gal bucket or large Tupperware. Other wise just do what was mentioned above and you’ll be fine.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Have lots of towels ready.

 

[Pntbll687]

Have lots of towels ready.

And patience! Which seems to run out at the least oportune time.
You cod grab a big Rubbermaid tote from home Depot or Lowe's for around $15, probably a 55g one. Add dying water, fish, and coral to it. Then drop in a heater and something for circulation and you would be good for a couple days if need be.

Always plan for worst case scenario

 

[Jon Fishman]

That's such a small tank, depending on what type of floors you have, you could empty a good bit of water into buckets, and just slide the entire stand over to where the new one is....... I dropped the level on my 75 and moved it and the stand with fish/etc still in it all the way across the room in anticipation of my upcoming move..... I plan to siphon straight from my old to new tank..... but that's another story all together!