Moving a Reef tank

**Ashurbarnipal** · 03-15-2012, 08:20 PM

So, I am being forced out of the house I'm renting and have to move out by the end of this month. I tried bargaining with my landlord, even offered more money a month, but it was a no go.

I'm wanting advice on moving the tank as safely as possible with as low damage to the maturation and cycle as possible. My plan so far is to get everything ready, have my car warmer than usual, put the fish in one bucket, the coral in another, the rocks in another and then get it to the new place ASAP. I'm hoping it's ok to keep a little water in the tank, as it's not too heavy with 10 to 20% of the water, but I am open to advice on all of this.

**Cliff** · 03-15-2012, 08:30 PM

Sorry to hear about your difficulties

I would not suggest moving a tank with any amount of water in it.

Make sure you keep the rocks covered in some tank water. I would also keep the substrate in water as well.

One of the biggest concerns that I have read about when doing something like this is keeping stable temperatures throughout the whole process. Not to mention you have to be careful moving your clam if his boot is attached to something right now.

**Ashurbarnipal** · 03-15-2012, 08:44 PM

Yeah, I was completely blindsided by this, so I'm kind of annoyed.

As for the clam, it's attached to a movable rock, so that's not a problem. As you said, my biggest concern is temperature stability. Apart from making my car about 78 degrees, I can't think of much else.

**Cliff** · 03-15-2012, 08:45 PM

I wish I could have been more help, but I never moved a reef tank, only read about it

**hockeyhead019** · 03-16-2012, 01:48 PM

I've moved mine but only upstairs not in a car. DO NOT MOVE YOUR TANK WITH WATER!!! Chances are it'll result in a broken tank, it may not be heavy but the motion of the water while moving will put too much pressure on the walls and the seams will likely give way.

In terms of keeping the temp stable I'd worry more about any inverts than the fish but that's depending on how far you'll be driving. If you're going a half decent distance I might consider buying a 12vd DC to AC inverter so you can plug two heaters in to keep the tub with the fish in it warm and the tub with inverts/corals warm

Other than that I'd say just drive safe but try and get there quickly and make sure you have everything at the new place ready to go, meaning you put the tank on the stand and fill it back up within an hour or so and get all the fish situated.

Again all my experience is just moving from the ground floor up a couple flights of steps to the third floor of my house haha

**kmw0004** · 03-21-2012, 12:35 AM

That sounds terrible... I have had to move my tank a few times, but never with very many inhabitants. I got several 5 gal paint buckets with lids, and put the live rock and water in those. Bag up what you can- and I would use care in packing rather than be too worried about the temp. Unless its going to drastically change, I wouldn't do anything but use a cooler to put your livestock in.

Its a great time to get your tank clean though! As for your clam... I wish you luck. Remember- everything had to get to your tank somehow. Just make up some good water and try not to stir up too much stuff when you put water and substrate back into the tank!

I hated trying to get my rock situated- took me weeks to get it where I liked it, lol.

**glarior** · 03-21-2012, 07:21 PM

I have changed and moved my tanks least 5 times with high success.

Temperature/oxygen is key for the fish. I lost one fish because the temp dropped to 69 and low oxygen. The others survived but were very slow until the temp warmed up and added oxygen. Oxygen came from a battery operated fish bubble device at walmart fishing section.

Live rock... depending how far you have to relocate the tank... soak paper (inkless = better IMO) in the aquarium water and wrap it around the live rock.

Corals I put in ziplocks before. I prefer the type of bags from the aquarium store but in a pinch ziplocks work. On big fish I used big coolers and buckets. The bag way is the best way. My fish store gave me bags and stryofoam shipping containers for free when I needed them.

I also used big coolers to store as much tank water as possible for the move. That way it will not be a big shock from changing water. It is more like doing maintenance water change.

At the new location I had RO/DI salt water pre-mixed and ready to go before I transferred my setups.

Best of luck. It does take a good while to do it all but take your time to do it right. You don't water a hose coming off because you forgot to tighten it.... ask me how I know

**cat_fish_lady** · 04-18-2012, 01:41 PM

I know this thread is from a while ago, but I'm curious to hear how this worked out for you Ash

**AgnerWagner** · 04-18-2012, 04:06 PM

It is written, that i can move my object, but i have tried for a long time to move it by clicking in the center point and move, but nothing happens, only the point is moving, as shown here? Then how do I do it then. I want to move my object to the center of the image.

Well ok, now i found out how to move it, by moving the center point for the rotating from side to side, but i guess that was not the meaning, was it???

Helle

**KingFisher** · 04-18-2012, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by AgnerWagner

It is written, that i can move my object, but i have tried for a long time to move it by clicking in the center point and move, but nothing happens, only the point is moving, as shown here? Then how do I do it then. I want to move my object to the center of the image.

Well ok, now i found out how to move it, by moving the center point for the rotating from side to side, but i guess that was not the meaning, was it???

Helle