moving a reef tank

[grandmarm]

just bought a 90 gal. existing reef tank, planning to move it next week.
should we buy some cans and put water in to sit - or can we take the water out of tank and put that water in some buckets.
and then move the tank with some water and then add fresh water.
If we put some water in buckets and let it stand do we have to add anything to this water.
I understand that the fish that are in the tank now will not make the move. is there anything we can do help them make this move.
thanks.
I will be asking a lot of questions as we go along.

 

[sebae0]

yes put all existing water in buckets or large rubbermaid containers, only fill with enough so you can move them, and put fish in one with just water and the fish. move everything to new house and then refill, if you want have some water made up already at the same sg so if you want you can add fresh water and it would act like a water change.

 

[ogdog30]

how do you move a 200$ show clown trigger a 100$ show sailfin tang, a rainbow wrass 3 GIANT maroon clowns, queen trigger and a lobster, down a road?!!!!!!

 

[ogdog30]

yeah my uncles giving his tank lr skimmer filters medal halaids every thing

 

[big911dog]

how do you move a 200$ show clown trigger a 100$ show sailfin tang, a rainbow wrass 3 GIANT maroon clowns, queen trigger and a lobster, down a road?!!!!!!
answer: very carefully....
sorry, had to see THAT one coming!

 

[ogdog30]

lol, no i really need to know step by step

 

[ogdog30]

Originally posted by Big911Dog
answer: very carefully....
sorry, had to see THAT one coming!

That is funny!

 

[big911dog]

any chance you can set up a temp tank? if so use water from the ST and get everything resituated asap! there's gonna be a HUGE bio overload. you might also think about seperate rubbermaid contianers, but thats a lot of work on top of getting the ST back up and running. best bet is to see if u can "rent" some space at a LFS. they can keep the fish while ur getting the new digs set up.
Good luck. I know ur doing a LOT of work!

 

[ogdog30]

i'm gunna use the same water and LS wont that be just as good

 

[ogdog30]

oh yeah, I have to thank you Big911Dog 4 all your help.

 

[sebae0]

if you have to separate the fish in rubbermaid containers with tank water, take most of the water from tank and when you set it back up add water and then the fish. if your concerned with catching the fish corner them with a bucket and scoop them up that way you wont damage them. its really not as hard as you think it just takes alot of time like the whole day. how far is the move, if your worried about water movement in the containers get some battery operated air pumps to keep it going. hth

 

[nw2sltfsh]

would this same method work to move a tank 600 miles? Or am i better off sellin back all fish to the LFS and starting again from scratc once I get there? I have till mid Dec to figure out what to do .... :help:

 

[robchuck]

Originally posted by NW2SLTFSH
would this same method work to move a tank 600 miles? Or am i better off sellin back all fish to the LFS and starting again from scratc once I get there? I have till mid Dec to figure out what to do .... :help:
If you don't have any sentimental attachment to your livestock, it would probably be much easier for you to sell your livestock locally before you move and then start over with new livestock on the other end of the move. Moving is very stressful, and carrying the added responsibility of transporting delicate livestock 600 miles with you would add even more stress.
Another option though would be to coordinate with a LFS in your current area and a LFS in the new area. Discuss ideas about shipping and having the livestock held at one store or the other until the tank is up and running at your new place.