Need some help guys.

[redguy]

I will apologize in advance for the length of this message. But I could really use some advice. I will also apologize for messing up some of the reef terminology. I am a newbie!

I just bought a condo and I am getting ready to move my 180 gal tank. It has been up for about a year. I have a ton of live rock 3 large leather corals, two yellow tangs, 1 Koran Angel, 1 panther grouper, tomato clown, and an undulated trigger.

It is going to take me some time to move the tank and replumb it with new equipment which I will be asking about in a few minutes. What do I do with the fish and live rock in the mean time. I am thinking about setting up a 40 gal tank with my existing water and hooking it up to a fluval canister filter a friend was using that is already cycled. That would be just for the fish. I was then thinking about getting a trash can and hooking up a power head for the rock. I am thinking about just ditching the live sand and starting fresh.

Any suggestions???

 

[Anonymous]

Hehe, I finally get to do it on someone's first post:

Welcome to reefs.org!

If you can think of a way to do it, connect the water from the 40 gallon to the rubbermaid, and get the biggest stinking rubbermaid you can find, if not two or three. The easiest way might be to cut a large circular hole (you can use a steak knife if you like) in the side of the rubbermaid, mount it higher than the tank and use PVC plumbing to have it flow down to your 40 gallon tank. Then throw a pump in your 40 gallon that pumps back up to the rubbermaid. The more water volume you can get, the better.

 

[liquid]

Another option would be to head over to your local Tractor Supply Store and pick up a 75 to 100 gallon Rubbermaid Stock Trough and house your livestock in there. After you're done you could us the stock trough for your sump.

Shane

 

[redguy]

Sweet. Thanks guys. So I am on the right track putting the fish in the 40 gal and the rock and leathers in the large trash can. Then somehow hook the two together so that the water moves back and forth.

Any suggestions on the Sand. SHould i just ditch it and start fresh? Seems like that would be easier. Any suggestions as to what type of sand is best?

 

[Anonymous]

You can probably leave your sand in the tank when you move it, add some of the old water and a powerhead to keep it live. Or just start with new sand, but it seems a shame to throw away all that healthy live sand. If you do decide to go this route, however, Southdown brand play sand and sand from www.purearagonite.com are both used by tons of reefers with excellent results.

Just an afterthought...you can always separate your fish between the two containers. Especially with the 2 tangs, they may decide to fight in such a small space if kept together. Also, with such a small volume and high fish load you should be prepared to do water changes if necessary.

 

[R33f_$hark]

If you do decide to go on the "new sand" route, I would suggest that you keep some of your current sand and use it to help "seed" the new sand that you will be putting in. :wink:

 

[mountainbiker619]

move a 180 gal aquarium with the sand in it...ouch..im sure it has atleast 200 lbs of sand in it...it can be done, but with about 8 people.

 

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, ditch most of your sand, maybe keep a bit in one of the containers with your rock so you can re seed your new sand bed.

I have moved my 155 twice, the first time I moved halfway across the country and used new sand when I set it up, the second time I moved we saved all the sand and it was a royal pain. I would not save the sand again.

Old sandbeds are heavy, smelly, and a real pain to keep "live".
Even if you scoop it out and into other containers, you can only fit so much in one container before it is too heavy to lift. And man does it stink.

 

[mountainbiker619]

the word "stink" is a understatement. Think of the worst thing you have ever smelled, then multiply that smell by 10...now you are close to what a old sand bed smells like..LOL

 

[Anonymous]

You're assuming he has a deep sand bed guys....

How much sand do you have Red?

 

[Anonymous]

You're assuming he has a deep sand bed guys....

How much sand do you have Red?

Your right, I was.


I guess I was just so traumatized from my DSB moving experience!

I still wouldn't waste my time for over an inch though.

 

[redguy]

Thanks guys. Yeah I have about a 2-4 inch bed of sand. There is a good amount of it in there. It is also infested with Feather dusters. I am looking forward to starting over just to get rid of them!

Thanks for the great advice on the temp tank. I will let you guys know once i get it set up. I have an idea how i want to replumb the tank i will get my reseach together and post an overview tomorrow for some feedback. You guys have all been a huge help. Thanks soooo much. It is a tough hobby to break into, and can end up costing much more than it needs to when taking advise from "Unbiased" Shop keepers.