Selling the house, and moving the fish... twice?

[ozmotron]

OK, I 'm not a regular poster on this board, but I do swing by and look for answers from time to time. Presently we have 2 x 75 gal peaceful tanks with LR and LS and a 125 aggressive tank with no LR or LS, all very healthy and happy. We are planning to move closer to work, but since we need to sell our current home as well as buy, things are a little sticky on the timing side.
In essence, our real estate agent told us (a) painting the ******** and putting down new carpet will make the house sell quicker and (b) when whe do close on our present home as well as on the new one - on the same day, the new owner will probably demand immediate occupancy. We will for our new home.
So, the fish need to be moved to a friend's house before we paint and carpet and hopefully sell, but then, after we have our new place, we will need to get the fish out of the friend's house, lest he stop being a friend. So, that is two moves in probably 30-60 days for the poor fish.
From what I have read, the 75's should be moved if possible without disturbing the aragonite and such, where as the 125 really won't matter, Plus it will simply be too heavy not to remove the sand. We do plan to do this in stages, planning ahead now for what will happen in about 2 or 3 months. Already have 5 brand new trash cans for water transport.
Any advice? TIA.
Oz

 

[monalisa]

Wow,
My hubby and I were discussing this very thing last night when talking about simply getting new carpeting...AND, I only have a 37gal (big enough for this kinda move). I really wish I could help...I just wanted to wish you luck, and let you know that you've made my dilemma seem a little more manageable.

Really though, best of luck to you. I'm sure it'll all work out. You're starting early enough with your planning, and I'm convinced that planning is the key to a successful move of this kind.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[celacanthr]

monalisa couldn't you just cut the carpet around the tank?

 

[monalisa]

Originally Posted by CELACANTHr
monalisa couldn't you just cut the carpet around the tank?
That's crossed my mind!!
Lisa :happyfish

 

[celacanthr]

plus if u move and u are in the uhaul on ur way to ur new home you can have a good laugh about the surprise you left for the new house owners. :hilarious :scared:

 

[murph]

Why not just provide an allowance in the asking price and or offer for new carpet and painting and let the new owners do it after you move.
As a carpet installer myself cutting around the tank is not advised. I would pretty much void any liability and labor guarantee in writing before I would do an installation like that and probably also ask to be paid in advance.

 

[ozmotron]

Originally Posted by Murph
Why not just provide an allowance in the asking price and or offer for new carpet and painting and let the new owners do it after you move.
I have thought about that, however, 2 moves would still be needed!

 

[robchuck]

With three tanks totalling 275 gallons, moving them all in one day and being involved in two closings in the same day is not something I would recommend risking. All sorts of snags or snafus could happen on either closing, and suddenly the need to move the livestock would seriously complicate things.
The best bet is moving the tank in two stages (as you detailed in your first post). That way, you are only focused on the tanks on the day of moving them and not the zillion other things that come along with moving. PLus, you'll have some cushion time built in for the inevitable spills and any obstacles that make the move take longer than you originally estimated.
Regarding the substrate, I would recommend either going barebottom during the temporary time the tank is set up at your friend's house, or just using new sand there. Once you start tearing down the tank, you'll see how nasty the sand gets.
Best of luck on the move, and let us know how you end up moving the tanks!

 

[ozmotron]

Yeah, well given that carpet and paint money invested will return 2X - 3X the amount, we are going to get everything out of the house well ahead of time. Day of closing, I want an air mattress, pillows and a bar of soap in the house when I wake up.
We are also pondering selling the fish back to LFS, getting some credit, and starting fresh in new home - only about 20 miles from old house. Won't kill any fish personally (conscience relieved), much simpler, don't have to depend on friend. Most of the fish are pretty common varieties.
Any other suggestions?

 

[michelle l]

That is exactly what I was going to suggest....selling the fish back to the LFS. That way, when you finally get established in your new home, you can start again from scratch and not have to worry about killing any fish. The tanks could cycle again, and then you could begin restocking the tanks.

 

[anonome]

WOW!!!! what an undertaking! My only advice would be to try to keep the one's that you absolutely can not part with and sell the remainder either by newspaper ( could get more for them) or by your LFS for store credit. You said that they are "common variaties" so you could potentially start fresh with less hassle in the long run. Which ever way you chose I sure it will all work out, or at least I hope so. :cheer: My thoughts will be with you. :happyfish

 

[ozmotron]

Yes well, the aggressives are essentially mine. My wife prefers the butterflies and tangs.
I will miss the triggers and lunare if I go that route...
Here is a video of the left side of the 125 - the aggressive tank.
Watch your volume!!! - there is a slight disruption about 30 seconds in - and, well, I reacted to it.
http://media.putfile.com/trigger_frenzy2

 

[anonome]

I saw your video. Nice fish. I'm not an aggressive fish lover, but many people are. I wish your wife luck with her tanks

Not to say that I don't with yours, just my preference. Any way that you chose I'm sure you will think everything out thoroughly. Oh, by the way, was that a simease cat in the video? I have one too.

 

[ozmotron]

Thanks. I will let you know how things go... move is a pita, selling is a pita. Hope this next one is the keeper house for many years. The cat is a calico, and loves to play with the lunare. Funny thing, when it comes to food, the cat is a pig and so is the lunare.