Moving established 125gal saltwater tank

[tmiles]

Good Afternoon,
I am new to Saltwater but have been keeping Live planted fresh water tanks for the last 10 years. I have just purchased my first saltwater(sorry to say not reef) tank. The only catch is I have to move it. It is located about 2 hours away from my home. I am looking for advice on the best way to acomplish this.
The tank currently has 2" of live sand on the bottom that I would like to keep 'alive" along with the fluid bed sand filter.
I have already gotten the water parameters from the current owner and will be setting a few 30 gal trash can with pumps to make new water for the tank. I am going to try to save 50-70 gal of the current water to take home with me.
Please let me know any thoughts or suggestions that you have to make this move a smooth as possiable.

 

[texasreefrat]

Um, I dont envy you, and, May the force be with you! I moved my live sand in a rubbermaid(several actually) container where I could leave it submerged. The tank is the real hard part, dont be macho, it should take 4 guys to move that size tank as to avoid too much stress on any one point.
I wish you the best of luck, and make sure you clean those rubbermaid containers very good before hand if you choose to use them.

 

[predator]

I suggest moving the sand into something more easily handled.Moving a tank that size is hard enough much less with that much wet sand.Definatly bring a couple of friends.A 150 is not only heavy but tall and wide wich makes it awkward to carry.Be careful and take your time.

 

[tmiles]

Thansk for the advice! I plan on bringing plenty of help. From your feedback it sounds like as long as I keep the dsand submerged I should be O.K.
What are your thoughs around the water? Should I try to move as much as I can? I know in Freshwater tanks that is optimal. Is it the same in Salt?

 

[diatom]

T~
If you can get soe dry sand to put down before you set the tank up again. That sand bed should really be a minimum of 4 inches and this is the perfect time. Just put down 2 inches of dry sand then put the lives stuff on top and you'll be miles ahead.
HTH
D~

 

[bentrue]

is the tank glass or acrylic? if it is glass and you remove all of the water out of it the seals may leak when you put the water back in. the silicone seals expand when the tank is full so it will not leak, but if they have been expanded for a while then shrink back, then expand again, you could have some minor leaks.
you could buy some thick styrofoam from a craft store and cut it to the dimensions of your tank so that when you are moving it, the seals will stay expanded.
this may not happen, but better to be safe than to find out your 125 gallon tank has a leak in one of the seals.
[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: BenTrue ]