Hello All,
I am moving to DC in Feb and have never done a city to city reef tank move. Farthest I have done is Manhattan to Brooklyn. I currently have a 55G tank with 4 fish, 3-4 shrimp, 1 dersea clam, assortment of LPS, softie, mushrooms and zoas. I Keep only hardy livestock.
Here's my plan:
? Buy a new 55g tank in DC and have it ready at the apartment (pretested for leaks). I don't want to move my 7 year old 55G there, figure it's done it's time and don't want to chance it.
? Remove the skimmer and some water and base rocks the night before so that I can get a jump start on a quicker breakdown on move day. Can keep the base rock warm in a bucket over night.
? Morning of move, put large rocks with corals in 5G buckets with tank water. Put fish and shrimp in 5G bucket and keep bubbler and heater in it until I drive to DC.
? Bag up all corals and put them in a styro box with heatpacks
? Sand in 5G bucket
? As much water in 5G buckets
The Move
? Transport buckets with water, rock and sand with movers. Seal up buckets with lids and tape over.
? Transport fish and corals in my car strapped down to prevent tipping
? It will probably be a 4-6 hour drive as I am doing this on a Monday, leaving late morning.
Arrival
? Unpack as any other move, get sand in, water, rocks, and livestock
? Make and add new water as needed (probably 10-15G)
Questions/Comments for the group:
? Anyone done a long haul move and have any tips?
? Any suggestions on a transport box and heating solution for the corals? Also not sure how to pack so temp stays consistent throughout box.
? I'll be putting my 55G tank on the street for any takers. More details soon
I am moving to DC in Feb and have never done a city to city reef tank move. Farthest I have done is Manhattan to Brooklyn. I currently have a 55G tank with 4 fish, 3-4 shrimp, 1 dersea clam, assortment of LPS, softie, mushrooms and zoas. I Keep only hardy livestock.
Here's my plan:
? Buy a new 55g tank in DC and have it ready at the apartment (pretested for leaks). I don't want to move my 7 year old 55G there, figure it's done it's time and don't want to chance it.
? Remove the skimmer and some water and base rocks the night before so that I can get a jump start on a quicker breakdown on move day. Can keep the base rock warm in a bucket over night.
? Morning of move, put large rocks with corals in 5G buckets with tank water. Put fish and shrimp in 5G bucket and keep bubbler and heater in it until I drive to DC.
? Bag up all corals and put them in a styro box with heatpacks
? Sand in 5G bucket
? As much water in 5G buckets
The Move
? Transport buckets with water, rock and sand with movers. Seal up buckets with lids and tape over.
? Transport fish and corals in my car strapped down to prevent tipping
? It will probably be a 4-6 hour drive as I am doing this on a Monday, leaving late morning.
Arrival
? Unpack as any other move, get sand in, water, rocks, and livestock
? Make and add new water as needed (probably 10-15G)
Questions/Comments for the group:
? Anyone done a long haul move and have any tips?
? Any suggestions on a transport box and heating solution for the corals? Also not sure how to pack so temp stays consistent throughout box.
? I'll be putting my 55G tank on the street for any takers. More details soon