How to Move a 120 Gallon Tank? and go Bare Bottom

[xxnonamexx]

I have an idea on how I would move my 120FOWLR tank. I plan on placing the fish into a cooler with the water from the tank so that the temperature stays warm for the 15 minute ride. A rubbermaid storage container with the live rock and water. The sand I plan on siphoning out and tossing. I am debating if I should go bare bottom. I will place my stand at the new location power wash the under tank filter and start fresh again. I have 8 fish. What do you think of my idea? If I go Bare Bottom what is the easiest way to go BB to make it easy maintenance. Thanks

 

[xxnonamexx]

38 views and not one reply?

 

[jscarlata]

Removing all the sand at once will lessen your biological filtration, so if your main filtration was the undergravel filter then you need to supplement it with something, i would think you need a skimmer, but I know many that run fowlrs with canisters as w

 

[jimidalock]

I have been bare bottom in my 200 for 3 years. I wouldn't have sand again! Tons of flow, and I keep a 3 inch sand bed in my 39 gal refugium with Cheato and mangroves. all the bio-filtration without the silica flying around the display tank. I have GSP,Zoas and Yellow polyps growing all over the bottom. Tanks looks great.

 

[pauliwalnuts]

The key is a good refugium set-up if you want to go BB.
I also relocated my tank about six months ago. Just make sure to bring both the tank's water and the holding cooler, with your fish in it, to the same temperature before adding them.

 

[xxnonamexx]

I meant under tank filter not under gravel filter. I have a 12 gallon filter under the tank. I don't think I can put a refugium. There is no room. I am not looking to add exttensive costs for a fowlr tank. Is there an inexpensive way to add a refugium? Thanks