moving live sand

[ninjamini]

I am about to move into a bigger tank. Does anyone have a method of scooping up the live sand without creating too much of a sand cloud?
When I move the sand I have 2 plans:
Plan A: I would prefer to leave the fish in the tank while I move the sand so that the sand has time to settle in its new home. Is there a safe way to scoop up the while the fish are still in the tank w/o creating a sand cloud.
-OR-
Plan B:
Should I remove the fish from the old tank.
remove the live rock
move the sand to the new tank
when the old tank settles replace the rock
then replace the fish
this effectively moves the fish to tupperware for several hours only to have to move back to the tupperware in 4-5 days when the new tank gets settled. I am using established rock and sand so I am hoping to not have too much die off. I will move the sand covered in water.

 

[gasman4433]

I would Drain all water into rubbermaids and put fish in them and then move the sand and rock to your new tank.Then put the water and fish back into the old tank.No cloud that way. I dont know for sure but moving the sand bed might put the new tank into a cycle.I have read on this sight a number of times that not to disterb the sand to much or it could cause a cycle.You might have to leave the fish in the old tank for a few weeks.And any coral if you have any.

 

[xdave]

If the old tank is glass, do not try to move it with water in it. It only needs to twist about 1/32" to loosen the seal.