moving acrylic aquarium

[longhorn_20m]

I've been searching through reefcentral and a few other bulletin boards looking for tips on moving. I'm wondering if it is possible to move an acrylic aquarium with the sand inside it, that way I won't disturb the sand bed.

The aquarium is tenecor, but I'm wondering if that would stress the joints?

Justin

[Jimnorris]

On those bigger tanks (300 plus) it is tuff. How big is the tank?
Jim

[matt]

Another consideration, depending on how far you're moving, is that a live sand bed needs to have a constant flow of water, enough of it to prevent the respiration of the animals living in the sand from fouling the water. Like, if you have a 4" sand bed in, say, a 36" X 18" tank, just the dry sand would weigh at least 100 lbs, probably more, plus if you just kept 5" of water, thats something 10-12 gallons of water (another 70lbs or so) and the sand bed would probably start to die off pretty quickly. If you're moving just across the room or even in town you might be okay. I don't see a structural problem as long as the bottom of the tank is supported, but without a lot of water moving over the sand, I would think you'd have some die off after a few hours. Just a guess.

Matt

[longhorn_20m]

The aquarium is a 50 gallon pentagon aquarium, each long side is around 24". I think there is around 100 lbs of sand, around 6-8" deep. My only concern is being a student, I can't really afford to buy 70 lbs of sand and use around 20-30 of this too seed. I really want to use the entire thing without having to disrupt it, since I have heard a lot of stuff with the anerobic and anoxic regions. I was hoping I could just keep an inch or so of water in the tank and move the entire aquarium with all the sand in it. The trip will be around 10-15 miles, and will take place in the evening.

I was thinking about getting a piece of plywood to put the tank on to transport, will be around 3-4 of us, so hopefully won't be to heavy.

I just hope it goes smoothly.

Justin

[captexas]

Justin -
As it's not too far of a trip, it shouldn't be too bad if you keep the inch or two of water on top. Just make sure you have everything planned out before you start. You want to have the tank down for the shortest time as possible. When I moved my 75g to my new house, it was the very last thing I moved. Make sure you know exactly where it is going to go at the new place as you don't want to have to try to move it again later on. If you have a way to bottle up water from the tank and move it with you so you can just pour the water back in at the new location that will help. Definately use a piece of wood (plywood or 2x4s) to help support the weight when carrying the tank.

Moving sucks even when it doesn't involve a fish tank! Good luck!

[longhorn_20m]

Yes moving does suck, plus I'm going to be homeless for over a week, and classes don't end till this weekend. So yes, my next two weeks are definitely going to be horrible.

I plan on just keeping the sand in it and using a piece of plywood with some 2x4's attached to hold with. Hopefully all will go well. I have a few days to get into the new place, figure out where it will go, get a handy plug nearby and get some RO water stored and around 10 gallons of salt water premixed.

I'm going to move all teh water and hopefully be able to just fill it back up at the new place.

Once up, I will get some pictures, hopefully won't have any die off.

I'm so excited, I have had a few nanos, but this is the style tank I've always wanted. I'm kind of scared of the 50 gallons, due to the fact i don't have an RO unit. But hopefully won't have much evaporation.

[phage]

I have moved a DSB twice, and both times i just took it out in sections, put it in rubbermaid tubs, and kept it aerated with no problems at all. You shouldn't (not don't, but shouldn't) have any toxic regions in your sandbed, and I haven't lost anything using this method.