Moving an established tank
- Thread starter petem
- Start date
ifirefight
Active Member
Very Carefully!!! Just Kidding. I moved my 130 gallon across town, 3 hrs start to finish. My main advise is get LOTS OF COOLERS,JUGS,CONTAINERS what ever you need and try to bring as much of the exsisting tank as possible.Do not try to bring the substrate...get new and rinse it accordinally. I was able to move mine and 90 % of water and 100% everything else, with just myself and 2 other guys. Its really not that big of a deal. Good luck,
poniegirl
Active Member
3 Hours start to finish? :hilarious My stars, it took me 10 hours for a 55 to move 2.5 miles! (I also had 3 ten year olds to deal with)
The substrate can stay, but you have to be careful not to disturb it. It makes the tank incredibly heavy. It took four of us to move the tank. If you keep the sand (?) place a bucket or large bowl or plate in the bottom when refilling, to avoid disturbing it.
I used coolers for the rock, with water, of course.
Rubbermaid storage bins for the rest of the water, fish and the few corals that I have. With lid is neccessary, of course.
You will need to maintain the heat and water flow, just as though everything were still in the tank. For some of us, we generally have enough spares to do this (3 heaters and powerheads).
If I were he, I'd try to have 6 (3 for each side) helpers to move the beast. I am terribly afraid of flex breaking loose silicone, though.
The substrate can stay, but you have to be careful not to disturb it. It makes the tank incredibly heavy. It took four of us to move the tank. If you keep the sand (?) place a bucket or large bowl or plate in the bottom when refilling, to avoid disturbing it.
I used coolers for the rock, with water, of course.
Rubbermaid storage bins for the rest of the water, fish and the few corals that I have. With lid is neccessary, of course.
You will need to maintain the heat and water flow, just as though everything were still in the tank. For some of us, we generally have enough spares to do this (3 heaters and powerheads).
If I were he, I'd try to have 6 (3 for each side) helpers to move the beast. I am terribly afraid of flex breaking loose silicone, though.
jessi p
Member
I just bought a 75 that was set up approx 20 miles away. The seller offered to move it and set it up for us for $50.00. It took him about 7 hours altogether. I gave him an extra $25 once I saw what a huge ordeal it was. He had 2 garbage cans full of water and many buckets with lids for the LS and the 3 fish and crabs. He said he got the buckets from restauraunts for $0.75 each. Of course the sand still hasnt settled completely and the tank is still a bit murky now, almost 24 hours later. Best of luck with your move!
saltn00b
Active Member
yea this can be quite an ordeal indeed. i moved a 75g 30 miles in a day w/ 2 trips. and just 3 months ago moved my 150g 8 miles and it took 17 hours. granted we had to make 3-4 trips and we also took the time out to drill the back of the tank and construct a drain for a CLS. anyway, go to your hardware store and purchase two of the heavy duty 45-50 gallon garbage cans for rocks and water. you may also want a large rubber maid to keep live stock, as well as 6-8 5 gallon jugs or closeable buckets.