A long move... I have a plan, but will it work?

[Anonymous]

I did a search on moving tanks and found a few very helpful threads already, but my situation is harder.
I'm moving 1200 miles, the trip will take me 2 days in a Uhaul. I cannot have water setup and waiting for me when I get there or anything.
My plan so far, is this. The fish are going back to the LFS, I'd rather that than have them die. All the invertabrates I'm to try to keep.
I'll siphon as much water as we can carry into a large trash can, into which I'll put the live rock (only about 70# of it). The invertabrates can go into a bait bucket placed in that as well, to prevent them from getting crushed by any jostling rocks during transport.
The rest of the water will be drained. I only have about 3" of sand, and the tank is a 75, so I think we'll be able to carry it that way. I'll place plastic sheeting over the sand and weigh it down.

Does anyone see any obvious problems I'm going to have? I know it'll be heavy as hell, and a pain in the ass, but all I'm worried about is keeping it all alive long enough to reassemble the tank. 2 days in the back of a uhaul with no power for bubbles or heat is my biggest concern.

 

[Anonymous]

double the amount of storage you think you need for rock & corals

also make sure you only fill the containers about 1/3 full, get some tall rubbermaids or the water will splash out.

 

[Anonymous]

I was just going to use one container. A large outdoor garbage can. Preferably with wheels. Why more? Are you saying I should divide it up to have only 1 rock per container or something? I have eight rocks totalling about 70#.

 

[Anonymous]

You'll want at least 2 of those, split everything up.

If you fill them more than 1/2 full the water will end up all over the uhaul

I've moved tanks a few times, it sucks...

You'll also want some battery powered airpumps, it will get VERY hot in the uhaul, corals should be ok though.

 

[Gools]

How did the move go? I'm going to be facing the same situation in a year, and want to do my homework. I have a fully stocked 180 sps, that I really don't want to get rid of, so going to give it a shot.

 

[Mihai]

Buy a couple of battery operated air pumps ($12 or less at Petsmart) and make sure you have spare batteries. They will greatly increase your chances that the inverts will make it.

M.

 

[Anonymous]

Thread is two years old. IMO if you are moving further than you can drive in one day you are better off mailing the corals to yourself. Have a friend or LFS send or recieve them for you a week or so after you move.

 

[mark78]

I would not move the water, to great a risk of something going wrong, water going bad, who knows...

Find a good LFS (hopefully theres a club or someone on the board for your new area?) and see if you can arrange for them to have the water ready to go when you arrive. For a small fee I'm sure they can deliver it when you call. Worst case scenario is you setup using tap water until you can get the RO/DI going.

Upto you, but I wouldn't move water 1200 miles. maybe 20 gallons tops, in 5g jugs with secure lids. Theres no telling what the water temperature will be when you get there even if its in the back of a truck?

 

[Mihai]

Thread is two years old.

Gee!!! How did this thread get on top? It's like talking with the ghosts.
M.

 

[mark78]

hahaha, thats what I get for acually reading a thread first instead of insta-reply! Need to work on that lol