Moving Tank about 35 miles

[acuracl1]

Any recommendations on moving an aquarium. This is my first time. I went by the best fish store we have in town, and picked up 20 gallons of saltwater, and a small bottle of stress relief per the owner of the store. He basically told me to pick up some large trash cans with tops from the store to save as much of the water as possible. The tank is still setup. And he gave me some free styrofoam containers to put the live rock in, and then he told me to get a cooler to put the 2 fish in, (blue tang and diamond goby) and put a teaspoon of the stress relief in the cooler. And then when I get home, setup the tank, and the put the water and fish back in. Water will be cloudy for a little bit, and do not feed the fish for 24 hours. Does this sound right.

 

[salt210]

I personally used some battery operated air stones when I moved my tank. saved about half of my water. the only fish we lost was a damsel that was hiding in one of the fake decorations that we had in the tank at the time. also remember to avoid bumps, don't know the size of the tank but a good one could crack it.

 

[sickboy]

I used 5 gallon buckets with lids because they are lighter than trash cans, but yeah it sounds right. I didn't use the stress coat either...

 

[sly]

I wouldn't try to "take as much water as possible". There is a long thread here about a guy who tried to do that and only ended up spilling the water in his vehicle which caused salt water to rust out his floor pan. Is the cooler water tight? If it's not completely water tight then I wouldn't use it. You will just end up spilling saltwater in your vehicle.
Here's what I would do. Take your clean trash cans to your destination and fill them up there with new saltwater. Let it mix and aerate for a day or so before you move your tank. Then when you are ready, take out your live rock and start putting them in 5 gallon buckets. Siphon out only as much tank water to cover them. Put your fish in another bucket or two and give them a small rock to hide around. Depending on how aggressive they are you might want to put them into several buckets so they won't pick on each other in such a small space.
I would only use 5 gallon buckets with snap on lids. They are sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the water and the stress of driving. If you use anything else like tupperware or regular trashcans, you run a real risk of your water spilling and ruining your vehicle/ killing your fish.
When you get to your destination, set up your tank and fill it with the water you have already made up. Make sure it's already at the temperature and salinity that you need. Leave some room for your live rock as it will displace some of the water as you put it in.
Put your substrate and your live rock in your tank first. Once the tank is full then scoop your fish out and then put them into bags. Now acclimate them as if you were putting them in for the first time.
Just be sure when you do all of this that you don't use flimsy containers. That's why I like 5 gallon buckets with snap on lids the best. Don't worry about trying to save your water. The bacteria for your tank grows in the live rock and the substrate anyway... Saving the water just adds to the hassle and is unnecessary. Your tank would probably benefit from the water change anyway... IMO, you don't need any stress coat. It doesn't do much and will only cause your skimmer to go crazy (if you have one).

 

[acuracl1]

Thanks, I am buying the aquarium from someone that is about 35 miles away. I am taking a pickup and a car with me. The plan was to put the stand and trash cans with lids in the bed of the pickup, and then put the actual aquarium inside the car, and the cooler with the fish in the car. Cooler will be water tight. And then all the accessories in the car.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I will take them into account.

 

[fau8]

I moved my 45 gallon 90 miles when I relocateed. I used rubbermaid containers. I filled each container half way with water. Transported the fish in one and live rock in the other. I reused about half the water. The important thing is not to stir up the sand bed or you will have a cycling issue.

 

[stdreb27]

I've moved livestock several times. You are saying you're buying a tank 35 miles away then putting stuff in your tank already setup or do you have nothing?

 

[acuracl1]

yes, I am buying the tank that is complete with everything. I do not have anything right now. What is the best recommendation for not stirring up the sand bed.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by AcuraCl1
http:///forum/post/2738054
yes, I am buying the tank that is complete with everything. I do not have anything right now. What is the best recommendation for not stirring up the sand bed.
How big is the tank? Every time I've moved a tank, I had something setup to house the fish till the cycle finished. Even if you keep everything submerged.

 

[acuracl1]

They guy says it is a 75 gallon tank, but the measurements he gave me of 48x24x24 equal to 120 gallons.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by AcuraCl1
http:///forum/post/2738089
They guy says it is a 75 gallon tank, but the measurements he gave me of 48x24x24 equal to 120 gallons.
Yuck picking that up with sand will be all but impossible. I'd consider dumping the sand, and go bare bottom, or get new sand or use the old sand (if it was turned over enough) and wait for the cycle to clear, what kind of fish are you talking about?

 

[acuracl1]

One blue tang, and a diamond goby. He has 10 snails, and 20 red legged crabs, 1 coral, and 50lbs of live rock. How long does it usually take to setup a tank.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by AcuraCl1
http:///forum/post/2738216
One blue tang, and a diamond goby. He has 10 snails, and 20 red legged crabs, 1 coral, and 50lbs of live rock. How long does it usually take to setup a tank.
Are you talking hippo or powder blue? If you have a 20 or 30 gallon tub, I'd set that up for your fish in the mean time then let your tank cycle. Depending on lr and sand, I'd think it would end up taking a couple weeks before it is cycled. Another thing you might be able to do is check out a local reef club, their is always helpful people willing to house a fish till your tank cycles.

 

[acuracl1]

Thanks, it is a hippo blue. Would it still take that long, since most of the water will be coming from the previous tank. I will check for local reef club around my area, thanks.