Long distance move...Need advice!

[AnthonyK]

Hello all. My wife and I are a military family and it's that time again. We're PCSing from San Antonio, TX to Dayton, OH...roughly 1250 miles. The last we moved I just sold all my coral and fish, dried out the live rock, and moved the tank empty. I really would prefer to move everything alive this time and just keep on running with my current live stock since I'm pretty happy with the way it is set up.

I'm looking for suggestions and advice on the best way to transport the livestock from point A to point B with minimal loss.

About the tank: 125 gallon mixed reef. Mostly soft corals and some LPS. Fish are 1 sailfin tang, 1 yellow tang, 3 fairy wrasse, 1 midas blenny, 1 lawnmower blenny, 2 spotted watchmen goby, and 6 green chromis. 4 shrimp include 1 coral banded, 1 fire shrimp, 2 skunk cleaners. and various asst snails & hermits. I also have an open top 20 gallon accessory tank which runs on a continuous loop through the main tank, this is my "redneck chiller" and adds some extra water volume to the system. 30 gallon sump, and 30 gallon refugium in the stand, so total water volume is roughly 200gal minus the rock and sand displacement.

We are moving in a 26' box truck, that's it. No cars are going with us. My thought was to purchase a half dozen large rubbermaid trash cans and fill all about 1/2 way with the tank water. I think that would allow about 2/3 of the system water to move with me and the fish and rock could ride in the cans. Biggest issue I am working around is that it's Texas in July and the back of those trucks can get mighty hot. Would floating sealed bags of ice in the trash cans work if I stop every couple hours to change out?

Any ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated. The move is 1 week from today. It's 1250 miles and I'll drive it straight through so 24 hours counting rest stops.

Thanks!

[klwheat]

Have you thought about having a local shop hold the livestock until you get there and set up. They could then overnight the livestock to you. May save you some trouble especially in this heat.

[Dkray944]

Ive moved a 75g from NC and in the end lost everything. I had the fish in 5gallon buckets with battery operated air lines in each. The fish were in the A/C and the tank was in the back of the truck. The fish actually made it to Texas. The issue was the aquarium and letting the sand get too hot. I didn't know it at the time but the heat really did a lot of damage to the bacteria colony.

[AnthonyK]

Ive moved a 75g from NC and in the end lost everything. I had the fish in 5gallon buckets with battery operated air lines in each. The fish were in the A/C and the tank was in the back of the truck. The fish actually made it to Texas. The issue was the aquarium and letting the sand get too hot. I didn't know it at the time but the heat really did a lot of damage to the bacteria colony.

Was planning to float ice bags with the rock and sand as well, had already thought of the possible bacteria die off being a problem. You said the fish survived the actual move? Was it an ammonia spike that killed them then?

[AnthonyK]

Have you thought about having a local shop hold the livestock until you get there and set up. They could then overnight the livestock to you. May save you some trouble especially in this heat.

Yes I have thought of that, but I have a feeling that overnighting the fish may cost more than they are worth by far.

[Dkray944]

I actually had all of the rock in buckets of water inside of the cab with the fish. All of the water, fish, and live rock was kept in the A/C. Everything made it. The only thing exposed to heat was moist sand and the tank/equipment. I set everything up and let it cycle overnight. The next day I added the fish. Within a week everything was dead. If I was to do it again I would either have a tank already set up and cycled or have a lic fish store in the new location keep the livestock for.m a couple weeks. If this is a direction you decide to go I would get a battery powered airstones and keep the fish in the cabin with A/C. I've heard of way to many stories of people trying to do it by floating ice and in the end desaster struck.

[Dkray944]

Maybe call this place to hold once you arrive.... http://gerberstropicalfish.com

[quicksilverz]

I made a trip from Dayton Beavercreek to be exact to Charleston SC and other than hitting a dang ice storm/ DEER my fish and coral made it. I would drive at night less hot less traffic and put everything you can in coolers with ice packs wrapped in news paper that's if its hot and heater packs if its cold. and frozen bottles of water in you water buckets. It can be done for the more expensive stuff have a store over night it to you when you get set up.

[Bill S]

Have you thought about having a local shop hold the livestock until you get there and set up. They could then overnight the livestock to you. May save you some trouble especially in this heat.

I like this idea. Yes, it's expensive, but it's really the best option. That or have them keep your livestock, and then come back down and get them. Not an inexpensive option either.

[quicksilverz]

Not that expensive when u think of the live stock u save

[quicksilverz]

My squamousa would cost 500 if i lost it for example

[Dean]

In my opinion the safest route is to sell what you have and start over with the funds you made in your sale. That far of a move in the summer spells disaster.

[leliataylor]

I know someone that moved from Amarillo to Seattle in the winter. Everything went fine until 1/2 mile from their final destination. Someone pulled in front of them and slammed on the breaks. She ended up with fish, saltwater, etc. all over the cab of her truck.

I agree that it would be best to either have a store hold them for you and ship them once you have your tank is up and running or start over once you arrive at your new destination. Short moves are one thing and still can be very difficult,with a long distance move you are rolling the dice.

[AnthonyK]

Thank all for the advise and comments. I'm packing now, the fish will get loaded in the morning. I'm going to transport the livestock in the cab of the truck with the A/C and I have 3 battery powered air pumps. Water is ordered for pick up on the other end so I can fill the tank back up. Hoping for the best.

[Dkray944]

Good luck with the move. I would also be sure to pick up some start up bacteria and keep a close eye on your parameters. I would also consider using fresh live sand when you arrive.

[LuckySingh]

With all said it is possible but it is going to be a very risky move . As long u are confident I see no problem. Also one thing would like point out if u r moving corals and don't know if I read that right I guess u are moving em in plastic containers if so make sure they are not banging against each other and secure em somehow . As long u can make in a day u should be fine no battery operated pumps are required . Only thing u need to worry about is temperature if that's been figured out than I see no problem