making a move!!

[saltn00b]

guys, anyone that can help -
is there any FAQ document or resource for the proper way to go about breaking down a fishtank and transporting the contents to either the same tank or a new one of similar size?
i currently have a 75g SW/LR. i am about to miove about an hour away. unfortunately this tank is about 5 years old, and does not have a center brace, so it is supposed to bow out and burst after 7 years. it already has a very slight bowing. do i move once, and move everything into a new tank, a new 75g / 95g? or move them to the same tank and change tanks later? or is moving to the same tank a much more difficult situation?
in my 75g i have about 100 lbs of LR, 80lbs of LS, and 3 small fish, as well as a clean up crew.
any ideas? any resources? please help.
i went to about.com, they have some nice info there, but more is always helpful.
this would be a real nice FAQ to have in the FAQ question btw.

 

[stang66200]

Moving might be a good opportunity to upgrade your tank since everything has to come out anyway.
There are fish stores here that have people that assist in moving fish tanks. They have the equipment to move the water, live stock, etc. and set it back up. Might be worth the money since moving is already a pain in the butt without fish.

 

[saltn00b]

hmm what are there rates? any idea?

 

[stang66200]

Sorry, but I did not ask about pricing. I am sure they charge a fee based on miles moved, gallons of tank, fresh or salt water . . .

 

[coralcrazy]

I would upgrade now if your can. You have to do all the work, anyways in the moving process, have it started up and ready at your new place!! Seems like less work in the long run!!

 

[saltn00b]

do i move sand first? or do i do half the water first, then the sand and rocks?

 

[teresaq1]

get some rubbermaid tubs. put part of the water, and lr in one, and water and fish, in another. save reat of water in buckets. leave sand in tank, and move everything. that wayif you cant gat new tank set up right away, you can put powerheads in tubs and keep everything alive.

 

[kimc]

I moved a 90 gal tank, 1 1/2 hour drive. There was no livestock. I purchased two 30 gallon trash cans. You may need more trash cans as you have more rock than me. 1) Moved all rock and as much water as we could lift into trash cans. 2) I left the sand and a little water in the tank. Transported the tank, stand, canopy etc.... When I got home I put a power head in with the live rock to circulate the water. This gave me pleanty of time to set tank back up. If you can upgrade now then I would do it now... why move a tank twice???