How to breakdown and move tank.

[Hemmdog]

I should have said I stopped counting at 3k. Pretty sure it was a good bit higher. I basically bought a small car and out it in my living room. I mean it would need to be a beat up and ugly looking car but a car nonetheless.

I spent 3k+ on my biocube in 6 months then upgraded to my 90/110 and have sunk another 5k+ into that. All in about 14 months :confused:

 

[Why-Me]

I hear ya on all those points, life gets hectic and quickly.
I've got $2,400 in mine with roughly $500 in equipment to go until it's wet and it's still in the garage lol.
But I did buy a bunch of toys that aren't necessarily needed.
And I've been eyeing up a few different used tanks in my local reefing forum. Man I know better than to buy another before this one is even wet but dang some of these guys are selling things like they're on fire. (I've always wanted an in-wall)....

 

[Hemmdog]

I hear ya on all those points, life gets hectic and quickly.
I've got $2,400 in mine with roughly $500 in equipment to go until it's wet and it's still in the garage lol.
But I did buy a bunch of toys that aren't necessarily needed.
And I've been eyeing up a few different used tanks in my local reefing forum. Man I know better than to buy another before this one is even wet but dang some of these guys are selling things like they're on fire. (I've always wanted an in-wall)....

Monster tanks are always such amazing deals 2nd hand. I’m just always worried if I can trust them. It’s crazy how a 600 gallon custom acrylic is the same price as a 55 gal that includes good lights. lol

 

[Why-Me]

I don't want to have to move one that big, I've had 5 spine surgeries. But a 150 to 225 I'm sure I could get enough help with.
But you're spot on with that post @Hemmdog Huge acrylic tanks for same price as small glass tanks with lights

 

[ambientaquatics.adam]

With your setup right now it's gonna be super easy. Don't over-think it. If I were you I would:
- make fresh saltwater at the new house, how ever much you plan on dumping from the old tank. Then make an extra 5g on top of that. Just in case. Seriously. Nothing sucks worse than being short a couple gallons and having to whip up more water at the finish line.
- take out all the rock and put it in as many 5g buckets it takes.
- catch the live stock and put them in a 5g, bag your frag an float it in the fish bucket.
- take as much water as you feel like taking to the new house(put your sand in one of those buckets if you're keeping it).
- break down, move and re-assemble hardware.
- take the steps need to add everything back to the tank(water/rock/temp/salinity/blah blah blah).
- crack open a cold one and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

 

[ambientaquatics.adam]

Also, pro tip. Don't leave water in the tank to move it. The way water moves in tanks is perfect enough to snipe you in the mouth and nose with scummy tank water.

 

[Why-Me]

Is this one of those "ask me how I know" moments? lol

 

[ambientaquatics.adam]

I've moved my tanks 6 times in the past 8 years. I've tried taking all the shortcuts. Getting blasted in your face with your tanks butt water is the worst. Your standing there tired (usually on the stairs) with a glass box you can't set down while whoever you roped into helping you is laughing their butt off and salty scummy water is all over in your mouth and nose and you can't be mad at anyone because you played yourself trying to take a shortcut. Truly a rock bottom moment.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Got a couple of things for my move. Will use these in the fish buckets along with a digital thermometer.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Looks like you don't really need any cutting on your plumbing. Remove unions and carefully lift the tank off the stand. Lay on its side when move. Be VERY VERY careful not to pull on those pipes while the bulkheads are attached to the tank. Otherwise it could possible damage the tank.
2nd, pre-made saltwater for your tank for at least 50-75%. RODI alone is not going do any good. You want to change at least half of your tank's saltwater.
Other than those above, your plan seem good.
Move your corals and LR into buckets first then catch your fish.
You can take some old tank water to new place, but it's not necessary as it doesn't really have much beneficial bacteria in the water.
If you have sand, get new sand or go bare bottom.
Set up tank at new place and check for leaks. Place LR in first and then acclimate corals and fish.

I have been thinking about this has time gets closer.

My initial plan was to store some amount of tank water and then generate some amount of RODI at the new house. I know the tank water is not especially needed, but was thinking it would help with not needing as much RODI water.

I'm trying to plan ahead just in case I am not able to set up the RODI filter up at the new house before the move.

So I'm thinking either store ~50 gallons (maybe a little less, maybe a little more, but just an estimate for now) of RODI or fresh salt water in sealed 5 gallon buckets

I'd like to do this at least a few days before, so I can knock it off the list of things I have to worry about. With that being said should I store RODI or saltwater. I'd prefer saltwater as I can take my time mixing it without rushing but I've read it's not ideal to store it more than a day or two.

Any opinions on this?

 

[Dom]

No one will move your tank with the care and attention that you will. I've moved tanks in the past. My suggestion would be to think about the process and make a list of steps on paper. Review those steps until you are satisfied with the steps you're going to take.

Get a few RELIABLE friends to help out. Buy them pizza when done.

 

[flooddc]

I have been thinking about this has time gets closer.

My initial plan was to store some amount of tank water and then generate some amount of RODI at the new house. I know the tank water is not especially needed, but was thinking it would help with not needing as much RODI water.

I'm trying to plan ahead just in case I am not able to set up the RODI filter up at the new house before the move.

So I'm thinking either store ~50 gallons (maybe a little less, maybe a little more, but just an estimate for now) of RODI or fresh salt water in sealed 5 gallon buckets

I'd like to do this at least a few days before, so I can knock it off the list of things I have to worry about. With that being said should I store RODI or saltwater. I'd prefer saltwater as I can take my time mixing it without rushing but I've read it's not ideal to store it more than a day or two.

Any opinions on this?

Since you're not moving too far and your tank is pretty new, it should be an easy move.
Definitely make extra saltwater a day or 2 ahead, keep a heater in to maintain temp close to your target. (get a 32 or 44 gallons brute trashcan for this. you can use it in the future for rodi or to mix your water)
I personally don't think you need to store old tank water. Just put as much as you can take with you on the moving day. 5 gallons buckets with lids is best as it is easier to carry. LR in one bucket and fish in another.
Move tank over to new place and put rocks and water back in. fill with old water and new water. Check for leaks, acclimate fish and release. Should be a quick and easy. Don't over think it.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Since you're not moving too far and your tank is pretty new, it should be an easy move.
Definitely make extra saltwater a day or 2 ahead, keep a heater in to maintain temp close to your target. (get a 32 or 44 gallons brute trashcan for this. you can use it in the future for rodi or to mix your water)
I personally don't think you need to store old tank water. Just put as much as you can take with you on the moving day. 5 gallons buckets with lids is best as it is easier to carry. LR in one bucket and fish in another.
Move tank over to new place and put rocks and water back in. fill with old water and new water. Check for leaks, acclimate fish and release. Should be a quick and easy. Don't over think it.

Haha I tend to overthink almost everything. Dang anxiety haha. I'm getting more confident about the move, thanks to everyone's advice and tips. I already have one brute (45 gallons I think). May get another though to have one for RODI and one for salt water. May not be needed but I've never mixed salt into my current brute, so for some reason I do not like the idea of using one brute for both.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

No one will move your tank with the care and attention that you will. I've moved tanks in the past. My suggestion would be to think about the process and make a list of steps on paper. Review those steps until you are satisfied with the steps you're going to take.

Get a few RELIABLE friends to help out. Buy them pizza when done.

Reliable friends? What's that, haven't heard of that one before. Luckily some of my family is going to help me out.

@saltyfilmfolks, what do you say? You want to come over to Texas and lend a hand? :)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Reliable friends? What's that, haven't heard of that one before. Luckily some of my family is going to help me out.

@saltyfilmfolks, what do you say? You want to come over to Texas and lend a hand? :)

I love Texas. Send me a ticket.

No one will move your tank with the care and attention that you will. I've moved tanks in the past. My suggestion would be to think about the process and make a list of steps on paper. Review those steps until you are satisfied with the steps you're going to take.

Get a few RELIABLE friends to help out. Buy them pizza when done.

Pizza? It’s texeas! I want BBQ and a Shiner.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I love Texas. Send me a ticket.


Pizza? It’s texeas! I want BBQ and a Shiner.

You know what they say. Everything is bigger in Texas! Be sure to bring your appetite.

Who am I kidding, my fiancee would probably kill me, considering we haven't gone on vacation in over a year and we haven't left Texas in the 5+ years we have been together. I went to La Jolla, California and somewhere in Indiana for work, but couldn't bring the family along. This upcoming summer we are getting out of Texas for at least a week!

 

[Hemmdog]

You know what they say. Everything is bigger in Texas! Be sure to bring your appetite.

Who am I kidding, my fiancee would probably kill me, considering we haven't gone on vacation in over a year and we haven't left Texas in the 5+ years we have been together. I went to La Jolla, California and somewhere in Indiana for work, but couldn't bring the family along. This upcoming summer we are getting out of Texas for at least a week!

La Jolla is tight. I lived there for a year after college. Surf bum and what not.

 

[Why-Me]

We rented a beach house in Newport Beach last may, was amazing.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

We rented a beach house in Newport Beach last may, was amazing.

Sounds like something I should definitely consider!

 

[Philipgonzales3]

So I got confirmation from my landlord (my uncle), that I can begin moving March 1st. I asked how long we had to move and he stated the sooner the better. I told him that it was likely going to take at least 2 or 3 days. He said that wasn't an issue and he didn't expect me to move in one day or anything. He wants to get builders in the garage to start converting it into a room. I told him worse case scenario, they can work on it while we are still working on moving out.

I called the electric and water company and have both services continuing uninterrupted. I told them to leave the water and electric at the old house on until the 15th. I figure I would rather have it at both places and not need it, then to need it and not have it. I am thinking I can always call and modify the date, if not no biggie.