Moving Tank - want advice

[saltank]

Planning on moving my 46gal bowfront reef tank from my basement to my great room this weekend and would like tips, comments, "not-to-do"s from those who have moved tanks.

My plan:

1) This week pre-mix approx 10gal saltwater, matching salinity, temp, calcium and alk levels to that of tank water in a 15gal container

2) On morning of move, drain tank into a 15gal container unitl I reach the rock level, then begin removing highest rocks and corals into the container

3) After removing first layer of coral and rocks, drain more water into the 15gal container to cover the rocks and coral; repeat process into another 15gal container

4) capture and transport fish into the 15gal containers; each container will have a small powerhead and heater

5) drain any remaining tank water, drain sump water

6) disconnect all pumps and lighting, drain overflow box

7) transport tank up the basement stairs (sounds like fun....)

8) transport stand and sump (not sure about this b/c I can't remove sump from stand, should I reinforce the bottom of stand during transport?) sump is a 14gal glass tank, one area of sump does have about 4"livesand - concerned about weight of this....

9) Set tank on stand in new location in great room, begin lugging water up the stairs (probably 5gal at a time), sound like a pita

10) Fill tank with enough water to set first layer of rocks/corals, fill more and set 2nd layer of rocks/corals, finish filling tank, add fish, reconnect and fire up the pumps, reinstall lights


Have I missed anything - I am very open here to constructive criticism, I've never done this before and am quite fond of my reef tank and inhabitants

Thanks in advance!!

 

[saltank]

I'm assuming no replies means I pretty much have things covered?

Really my only concern is the weight of the sump in the stand - I don't know if the bottom of stands are constructed to carry any type of load. What I don't want is the bottom of the stand falling out when I lift it

Any recommendations out there? Sump weight after water is drained, my best guess is probably 20-25lbs due mainly to the sand in it.....

Thanks

 

[Brian5000]

Your plan sounds pretty good to me. Just a couple tweeks I might recommend:

You can never have enough extra water on hand (you probably won't need it, but just in case).

If you can, put the fish in a seperate container from the rocks. That way you don't accidentally squish something while walking around with the rock.

Although it's a good thing to have, your corals and fish would probably be fine even without a heater or powerhead. Since you're only moving from one end of the house to the other, I don't suspect they'll be out of their happy home for too long.

It depends on what your stand is made of, but I'm guessing the empty weight of your sump will be fine. The thing to consider is the combined weight on your back though.

I've moved my aquarium between two houses. It's a lot of work.
_________________
Mercedes Benz Vario

 

[Reggie]

I would hesitate moving the stand and a sump with sand. Since you seem concerned that is reason enough to me. However, if your stand's bottom is made of something like 3/4" Plywood (18mm) and is screwed into the sides then no problem. But for my recommendation take out everything you can to make as light as possible to carry up stairs.

 

[saltank]

Thanks for the responses. I'm considering sliding the stand onto a piece of plywood and lifting by the plywood; or strapping a piece of plywood to the bottom

thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

How old is your tank?

 

[rbursek]

salt tank
I just moved a 120, with 150lb of rock. sump, fish and corals, and sand to a different house. You have it easy!!!!!!!! I did not loose anything, except somethings I WANTED out of the tank. 16 hour job. 2 people, good chance to reland scape, and get anything out of the tank, just be glad your were only moving to the basement!!!!!!!!!
Bob

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah the only thing I can emphasize after moving my 90 2 months ago was to have abunch of water on hand premade and don't disturb the sand. Great opportunity to reaquascape and prune the undesireable lol. Good luck.