Moving Tips

[Kenya]

Merry Christmas Everyone! Since I just graduate from college I'm bout to move out of town and I was wondering if any one had any tips for moving and keeping my fish and coral alive?

[Scream311]

Hey John. My tip to you is don't rush the move. If you can set up another tank at the destination your moving too to at least hold the fish and coral untill you've moved ALL of the current equipment and substrate that's the best bet. But if not then you'll need to take your time and keep the Live stock in a holding Tank (rubbermaid) untill your substrate has settled and water parapmeters are regular or safe to re introduce your livestock.

I made the mistake and moved everything in one day and put the livestock back into the tank while my sand was still cloudy and nitrates were through the ROOF. Needless to say it wasn't good.

Good luck

[Europhyllia]

I don't keep the substrate at all. I keep the liverock, plants, etc. even the water but not the substrate.
Too much junk in there to risk kicking a major cycle off IMO.
I use new dry substrate in the new set up and add the liverock (moved in water), etc.
I also try and preserve biological filtration in filters etc. Like if I have an old PolyFilter in the tank I don't throw it away but rather make sure it moves to the new tank, etc.
In fact if you can plan ahead you can add a sponge or polyfilter ahead of time so you have something to move lol

[Scream311]

Yea forgot to mention what Karin just said. If you have the funds to purchase NEW CLEAN Substrate that will help speed up the process and save you from putting all the nitrates etc in your tank but if not then you'll need to WASH and RINSE like CRAZY which takes TIME (I know done it a few times) before livestock can go back in

[Kenya]

The move is pretty much going to be in one day so don't really have much of a choice of using another tank but prolly will leave the fish and coral over night in a 30 gallon tubaware. I think Im going to try and leave the sand in the tank and move it... hopefully it won't be to heavy. I was also thinking about buying water containers to bring 20-30 gallons of water back with me so i could try to keep the water params normal.

will a pwdr blue tang, 2 clowns, and a coral beauty be fine in a bucket on the trip? Also im only moving to southside houston so luckily its only be a 3 hour drive.

[allan]

The temperature in a bucket can drop significantly in three hours. A good heater (one that wont stay on all the time) will keep the water comfortable for the fish and I'm not sure about oxygen content so I'd toss in an aerator as well. A clump of algae would give them a place to hide that wont hurt them if you hit a pothole.

[Europhyllia]

The temperature in a bucket can drop significantly in three hours. A good heater (one that wont stay on all the time) will keep the water comfortable for the fish and I'm not sure about oxygen content so I'd toss in an aerator as well. A clump of algae would give them a place to hide that wont hurt them if you hit a pothole.
Really good tips! I like the algae idea. :)

[tebstan]

Merry Christmas Everyone! Since I just graduate from college I'm bout to move out of town and I was wondering if any one had any tips for moving and keeping my fish and coral alive?

Congratulations!


I think Im going to try and leave the sand in the tank and move it... hopefully it won't be to heavy.

How big is the tank...? That's a little scary, to move it with sand. If there is any weight shifted around in the move it could put a strain on the tank and eventually lead to leaks. I'd scrap the sand bed or rinse it well and haul it another container.

Definitely get a battery powered air pump. Use styrofoam boxes or a cooler to pack the fish in, and re-acclimate slowly. If you choose to keep a heater in the transport tank, don't set the temp as high as you would in your regular tank. Warmer water has less oxygen available to the fish, and stressed fish have a higher respiration rate.

[Scream311]

Now that's some great advise Adrian !

[Mrs. z28pwr]

Moving is a scary thing in this hobby. If we move Joses 600+ gallon will be sold with the house..