Moving Tank - How to do it right

[gmann1139]

We are relocating from LI to NJ, and of course, the tanks are going with us.
I currently have 3 tanks set up, (1) 12 Nanocube, (1) 29 gallon, and (1) 10g that I'm using as a QT.
Right now I have a Royal Gramma in the QT that will literally be coming out of the QT as we move.
I also am changing from using the 29 to using a 30g tank that I already have over in NJ.
My plan is this:
1. Remove all fish from all tanks and bag individually.
2. Remove LR from 29 gallon and put into 20g tub. Fill with enough water to cover.
3. Remove 10g of water remaining from 29g into jugs.
4. Remove 5g of water from 12g into jug.
6.
5. Drain 10g down to ~2" of water.
6. Move.
7. Move substrate from 29g into 30g. The sandbed is only ~1.5" now, and has only been in place for six months, so I don't anticipate surprises.
8. Put 5g of water back into 12g, then reacclimate fish and put them back in.
9. Put LR back in to 29g and refill water.
10. Reacclimate fish to 29 individually.
11. Pray everything came out ok.
I have 15g of water that I will have available to mix to make up for anything I lose, but I would prefer to keep that for 'emergencies', in case something happens in the first couple days.
Is there anything I should change in my plan?

 

[gmann1139]

40 views and no replies. Either I'm doing well, or I've stumped everyone.
Still looking for comments.

 

[gypsana]

Sounds okay to me. The only problem I can see is that the water is going be really cloudy from pouring water in after putting the substrate in. I have heard of pouring the substrate trough a pvc pipe to minimize the cloudiness after you have put most of the water in first. I wish I knew about that when I was upgrading. My water was cloudy for days. The only other thing is to add new water as well. Kind of like a water change and make sure you get the temp up. Hope this helps and good luck!!

 

[t-bone]

I had a 5 gallon with a blue damsel that loved creating a sand storm in it. Tank was always cloudy, till I stareted using a very fine mesh filter pad. It collected all the suspended particles. Probably not good long term as theres gotta be some good stuff that you don't want to trap in your filter, but for a short term way of cleaning up your cloudy water works real well.

 

[toosalty]

Well when Ive had to move aquariums with sand or CC in it I usually go to home depot or lowes and get a piece of plywood cut to size for the aquarium to set on top while we move it around. I really don't think the bottom piece of glass in the aquarium is suppose to withstand that much weight on it without some sort of support. Maybe im crazy or wrong, but I rather get some wood that cost 15 buck then having to buy a new aquarium.

 

[rotarygeek]

dont forget that by sirring up the sandbed you could cause an ammonia spike and have to re cycle your tank. i have done it a few times and every time it spiked and made me re cycle my tank.

 

[gmann1139]

Originally Posted by RotaryGeek
http:///forum/post/2735332
dont forget that by sirring up the sandbed you could cause an ammonia spike and have to re cycle your tank. i have done it a few times and every time it spiked and made me re cycle my tank.
How bad?
I'm planning on not using any water that is transported with the substrate for this reason, but as this is already a fairly shallow sand bed and will be getting more so, I'm not too worried.
Oh, and I have Amquel+ if I do see a spike.

 

[gypsana]

You could just buy some new sand and not risk it. If your LR is already cured then regular not live sand would work. Might be worth it to save your livestock.

 

[dbrown9]

I recently moved a 40g and all I did was to move the fish together in one ice chest lined with a garbage bag. then moved the water and live rock in other coolers. to add water back slower pour in with a piece of flat plastic in the tank to keep from pouring the water directly. acclamate your fish because of temperature reasons. other than that thats it.

 

[gmann1139]

Move yesterday. Everything went smoothly, for the most part.
We're back in the 'old' house today packing up everything else, so I won't see the tanks again until tonight.
Fingers crossed.

 

[gmann1139]

Well, the end of this story is actually a sad one.
My big tank (30g) was a complete loss.
We got delayed in our move, and didn't get to the 'new' house, where the tanks were, until Sunday evening.
Found that the heater in the 30 either overheated or shorted or something, and everything, including 3 fish was dead, except for some hermits. Probably a loss of $150 total.
So I'm bummed, but I'd kind of prepared for this outcome. I'm already preparing for what I'm going to do next with this tank.

 

[gypsana]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[dsgmm9]

that really sucks hope your new plans go well