Moving a Tank

[broadband]

I have a 50 gallon saltwater tank that has been running since December. It's fully cycled and right now I have 3 percula clowns, 1 blue damsel, 1 yellow tang, 1 leopard puffer and a larger damsel. The tank has a large penguin wet/dry filter with 2 large biowheels.
I am moving the tank about 3 miles to my new house and want to know the best way to move it.
How should I transport the fish?
Should I bring the water with me or make new water at the new house?
Is it possible to keep the tank still partially cycled so i don't have to start over from scratch?
How should I transport the biowheels to insure that the largest amount of bacterial remains intact?
Thanks!

 

[lcc]

This is what I would do especially since it is only 3 miles.
1) Keep the water ( or at least 75%)
2) Transport the fish in 5 gal buckets with an air pump and or powerhead. (keep the water in the buckets heated until the last minute also.)
3) Besure to add stress coat to the transportion water of the fish.
4) Make up some new salt water in case of spillage etc.
5) Keep the bio wheels in the water that is from the tank and keep the wheels on form as long as possible.
6) The tank is the last or the first thing you set up at your new house. That way there is no delay in getting the fish back into the tank.
7) I do not think it should take you that long to transport the fish and tank and get it set upm at your new house especially if you have some people assisting you. After the tank is up and running and the fish are in there new location keep the lights off on the tank for at least 12 to 24 hours to allow the fish to settle down and reduce stress.
I know it seems long and I do not know if I forgot anything, but that is what I would do to move your tank. Just remember to set a plan and go over it a couple of times before starting the move. You do not want to start the move and then discover you have forgot to prepare or do something.

 

[dugan]

LCC gave you some good advice. I had to move my 58 a few years ago and made it the LAST thing I moved. I took all of the water with me in 5 gallon spring water jugs and kept the fish in a bucket with a heater, LR and a power head until the sand settled enough in the tank to put them in.
Whatever you do, DO NOT try to move a tank with the water in it, it's just askin' for trouble!
Good luck!
Katie

 

[shel]

Follow the directions LLc gave you. I moved 125g a year ago and did not lose anyone. I moved it about 40 miles. Save your water, transport the lr in water from your tank. Keep a power head in the bucket where the fish are. They should be fine, Good Luck.
Shel