I am brand new to salt water aquariums I am thinking about purchasing a whole set up from somebody The setup is a 75 gallon reef ready tank with wet/dry and protein skimmer. There is live rock, live sand,1 hippo tang, 1 nasotang ,1sailfin tang ,1 clown fish ,1 cleaner shrimp, and 4 live corals. I live in middle village,Queens and the tank is in englewood, NJ the trip is about 2 hours round trip not counting breakdown and setting up. I would appreciate any advice and maybe somebody that lives near me with a quarantine tank.
How do I move a Reef Tank
- Thread starter jwb301
- Start date
- Location
- Franklin Lakes, NJ
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-magazine/67664-moving-saltwater-aquarium.html
The new issue has a few articles on moves.
The new issue has a few articles on moves.
I've moved many tanks and broken down quite a few in my brief stint with the hobby. I highly advise moving the livestock out of there first or having somebody bring it to your house as quickly as possible so you can use an air pump and thermometer in the bucket while you breakdown/setup.
I would do it in phases but if you want to do it in one shot it's practically the same. I would have the seller start draining water and removing live rock...this will substantially speed up the process...
Pack up Livestock\LiveRock->Drain Water->move the easy to carry equipment-> I'd leave the sand bed, it would take too much time to scoop up but make sure you clean it when you get home->Move the tank off the stand...watch the bulkheads->then pack it up into your car.
The drive shouldn't be too bad from Englewood IF YOU GO AT A GOOD HOUR.
If you need help I live in Bayside, Queens but work in Englewood. I have a spare tank that I can set up to hold the fish/corals for you, but lack a light so depending on what coral you get, I can try to hold it in my main tank.
I would do it in phases but if you want to do it in one shot it's practically the same. I would have the seller start draining water and removing live rock...this will substantially speed up the process...
Pack up Livestock\LiveRock->Drain Water->move the easy to carry equipment-> I'd leave the sand bed, it would take too much time to scoop up but make sure you clean it when you get home->Move the tank off the stand...watch the bulkheads->then pack it up into your car.
The drive shouldn't be too bad from Englewood IF YOU GO AT A GOOD HOUR.
If you need help I live in Bayside, Queens but work in Englewood. I have a spare tank that I can set up to hold the fish/corals for you, but lack a light so depending on what coral you get, I can try to hold it in my main tank.
Good luck my friend. I've relocated whole setups 3 times, and getting ready to do it again.
Most important BRING A FRIEND that has the day to help, or many friends with some of the day to help:tongueani
1) Use a van - makes life easier - line the bed with a tarp makes cleanup easier.
2) Start early. Once you start the break down you shouldn't stop till you get the tank up and running in the new home. Everything takes longer than you think.
3) Keep as much
of the existing water as you can. (tip use a pump with a hose to empty tank goes faster) Bring a few 5 gallon buckets for transporting water from tank to van and for transporting the fish. Have at least one 32 gallon garbage in the van and 30 gallon rubbermaid bins. Only fill up garbage can and other containers about half way to reduce the chance of spilling in the van. ( Unless its a rental then just dry it before you return it) ( Keeping the live rock in water as much as possible will greatly reduce die off and large cycling )
4) Lowering the water level and removing the rocks first makes it easier to catch the fish. Using clear containers instead of nets to catch the fish is my advise.
5) Remove sand before moving tank. 75gallon glass tank is heavy. If it is a drilled tank you want to transport it in the van upside down.
6) Load the van with the Rock and water in the garbage cans and/or bins first. Use 5gallon buckets for sand. Leave some room in the front for the buckets with the fish (you'll want them near the heat source) when you load them last.
7) load the tank upside down, then load the stand in the back, and put misc. items in the stand. When all non animals are loaded let the inside of the van warm up load the fish towards the front and drive cautiously.
8) When you get home, Bring the animals in the house and put in a room that is warm away from the door that will be open by you coming in and out. ( if possible add air hose and heater- even better when garbage can or bin free up in step 10, consolidate animals in one container with air hose and heater.)
9) Bring in the stand " Level it ", bring in the tank place on stand " Check tank and stand Level " Set up sump and plumbing.
10) Start bringing in buckets of water and rock from the garbage can or bin and fill the tank. " Check Tank and stand Level " ( once your tank is full and its not level, its just no fun )
Sorry to leave my reply incomplete, I have to run. I'll try to finish later if no one else does. Good luck!
Most important BRING A FRIEND that has the day to help, or many friends with some of the day to help:tongueani
1) Use a van - makes life easier - line the bed with a tarp makes cleanup easier.
2) Start early. Once you start the break down you shouldn't stop till you get the tank up and running in the new home. Everything takes longer than you think.
3) Keep as much
of the existing water as you can. (tip use a pump with a hose to empty tank goes faster) Bring a few 5 gallon buckets for transporting water from tank to van and for transporting the fish. Have at least one 32 gallon garbage in the van and 30 gallon rubbermaid bins. Only fill up garbage can and other containers about half way to reduce the chance of spilling in the van. ( Unless its a rental then just dry it before you return it) ( Keeping the live rock in water as much as possible will greatly reduce die off and large cycling )
4) Lowering the water level and removing the rocks first makes it easier to catch the fish. Using clear containers instead of nets to catch the fish is my advise.
5) Remove sand before moving tank. 75gallon glass tank is heavy. If it is a drilled tank you want to transport it in the van upside down.
6) Load the van with the Rock and water in the garbage cans and/or bins first. Use 5gallon buckets for sand. Leave some room in the front for the buckets with the fish (you'll want them near the heat source) when you load them last.
7) load the tank upside down, then load the stand in the back, and put misc. items in the stand. When all non animals are loaded let the inside of the van warm up load the fish towards the front and drive cautiously.
8) When you get home, Bring the animals in the house and put in a room that is warm away from the door that will be open by you coming in and out. ( if possible add air hose and heater- even better when garbage can or bin free up in step 10, consolidate animals in one container with air hose and heater.)
9) Bring in the stand " Level it ", bring in the tank place on stand " Check tank and stand Level " Set up sump and plumbing.
10) Start bringing in buckets of water and rock from the garbage can or bin and fill the tank. " Check Tank and stand Level " ( once your tank is full and its not level, its just no fun )
Sorry to leave my reply incomplete, I have to run. I'll try to finish later if no one else does. Good luck!
thats what i would do
- Location
- Staten Island
Or you could call a professional that will take care an responsibilty for any mortalities that won't happen with a pro..
Thanks Brendan, I aim to please. :splitspin
Bob1000 your post wasn't exactly clear. Were you implying a professional will accept responsiblity for any casualties?
My opinion you should not need to hire someone if you don't mind a little hard work. You have already taken a big step in the right direction for a successful move by asking the question. There is no better learning experience than a practical one.
Bob1000 your post wasn't exactly clear. Were you implying a professional will accept responsiblity for any casualties?
My opinion you should not need to hire someone if you don't mind a little hard work. You have already taken a big step in the right direction for a successful move by asking the question. There is no better learning experience than a practical one.
- Location
- Staten Island
Happy reefing and Happy holidays..
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