Need Advice

[alexwolf]

Here is my situation. I broke down my tank to move it. I dont think the movers are going to be able to move it with the sand in it, so I need to take that out. In the new house, I plan to do a similar setup to Blake, plumb everything behind the wall to a closet. Here is the dilema:

There is carpet on the floor currently. I dont have the time to get it tiled right now before I set up the tank. I also dont have the things i need to plumb it behind the wall. Im planning on doing it 6-8 months from now, and doing it right. Here were my two ideas, tell me what you think:

1) Setup the tank where it is for 6 months. Tear down, remove everything, get the floor tiled, and plumb it behind the wall. Have someone babysit the corals, move the fish to a small tank temporarily. This should take about a week. Replace southdown with a coarser sand, something to Caribsea Special Grade Reef.

2)Sell all livestock, all sand, everything in fuge and wait it out for 6 months. Basically start from scratch. I really dont want to do this. I want a tank for the next 6 months.


Should I, if I have to remove the sand for the movers, get the new sand NOW, and move it later? Or, just wait for the new system?

[adaminaustin]

You could also go to tractor supply and buy a 140gallon tuff stuff tub (chepo rubbermade) It cost $80...
I will be moving in about a month and will be in the exact same situation as you. I want enough time to set up the tank just the way I want it. I do NOT want to be rushed.
I am putting the rubbermade in another room and will hang a single metal halide over the middle of it. That way I have a good month or so to get the room tiled, add another breaker, and get my tank/fuge set up just the way I want it.

Shoot I just reread your situation. I guess this plan of action might not be best for you. Seeing as though it might be 6months befor the new setup is up and running.

[alexwolf]

Called shortage of $$$$$$$$ lol......I just ran out of money with the purchase of the new house, the move, and all that. Still need more furniture, jeez, does it ever end????

[::pete::]

Set the tank up in an area close, but not right where its going to go and dont worry about doing it "right" this time. Then when you are set and ready tile the floor or that area where the tank will go, then move the tank where you want it and set it up the right way. I know, sounds like alot of work, but you have your tank and corals ... right?

[Tim Marvin]

I have to agree with Pete. You could do a big water change at the same time.

[alexwolf]

So, put the tank on a different wall, have the floor tiled around it, then punch through the wall, replumb, drag the tank, and tile the rest?

[Tim Marvin]

You could put the tank in a different room. Get the tile done and then just move it in there.

[::pete::]

In other words, put it as close as you can to where you want it to be. later when you tile the floor just dont finish the area by where the tank is. After the tank is moved you can finish tiling the floor in the area where the tank was. I say close to make the move easier, but you can place it anywhere.

[JeffCo]

Alex,
take their advice, I just moved as well and did the same thing. I setup my tank near where my new tank is going to go. But, you are going to use the same tank and I would take this opportunity to replace the sand now with what you want, I replaced mine with the starboard on my move. But, this way after 6 months your new sand will be well fed and developing nicely.

[bpk78621]

For now, tile only the area where the tank will sit. Then you will be moving it once instead of twice. You can finish the plumbing & tile the rest of the floor later. Change out the sand when you move it. I personally would not want to move the tank and especially the livestock more than once.

[StephenA]

We ended up going with stained concrete in our whole family room and love it!

[bpk78621]

Stained concrete is really pretty. I wish we choose the stain instead of ceramic tile. No grout to seal and keep clean, especially with two teenagers running around......

[StephenA]

We did the Coke color (rusty brown). It's great with kids, cats and fish tanks.

[SaltyJim]

We did the Coke color (rusty brown). It's great with kids, cats and fish tanks.


Mine just got finished yesterday. 3.5 years after the 110gal flood.

But, getting back to the situation at hand, I had to move my tank to another location during the floor work, so I had the same dilemma this past weekend. I ended up getting some large rubermaid trashcans (from BigLots 33 gal ~$7.50) and moved all of my rock and livestock from that tank into these cans.

So, maybe a combo of tank close to new location and cheap holding tanks while you actually tile and setup tank in new location (later in the future, also shorter holding tank time).

Good luck with it all, and no...it never stops (the flushing sound from your wallet that is :) .

Jim

[alexwolf]

Ok heres what we are going to do. Setup the tank on the wrong wall. In a few months, tile the floor, slide the tank to the new spot, replumb, and put the new sand in at that time. Thanks guys!

[captexas]

Another idea to add to the plan is to add some heavy duty casters to your stand while you are in the process of moving everything to the new house. Then once you get the tile and plumbing work done and are ready to put it where you want it to go, all you have to do is disconnect the current plumbing and roll it over to it's new spot. The connect the new plumbing and you are done. Otherwise you will have a hard time sliding/moving a tank that big fully loaded, even just a few feet, without killing yourself or over stressing the tank.