Moving a 200 gallon system across town

[Reef Altitude]

Hi all,

I have a 200 gallon system that I will need to move when we sell our house in the next 6 months.

I will be able to move into the new house a month or two before leaving my current house.

Was thinking of setting up inexpensive temporary systems at the new house and moving livestock then trading down and moving the 200 gallon system empty and clean.

Also considering selling livestock or hiring an lfs.

Looking for others experience with this kind of project because it's going to already be a crazy time.

What would you do?

 

[Biokabe]

Hi all,

I have a 200 gallon system that I will need to move when we sell our house in the next 6 months.

I will be able to move into the new house a month or two before leaving my current house.

Was thinking of setting up inexpensive temporary systems at the new house and moving livestock then trading down and moving the 200 gallon system empty and clean.

Also considering selling livestock or hiring an lfs.

Looking for others experience with this kind of project because it's going to already be a crazy time.

What would you do?

I've done it before, though not as large as that.

If you want to keep your livestock, 100% set up a stock tank(s) ahead of time, with all the support so that you can keep your livestock in the holding tank(s) indefinitely. So make sure you have rock in the tanks, filtration, lighting for any corals, heat, and that you have the ability to do water changes on at least a weekly basis. Make setting up those tanks the first thing you do when you take possession of the new home. Once up and running, move the livestock in.

Then, set back up your tank (or whatever you're replacing it with) in your new home. Take your time, do it right, and make sure everything is exactly as you want it to be before you put your livestock back into it. If you're planning any changes to your tank (like adding a UV system, replacing rock, changing size, etc), do it now, while the tank is empty.

Make sure you either rinse your existing sand very well, or chuck it and replace it with new sand. Once you're all dialed in and sure that it's as you want it, add your livestock back in.

If it's just a cross-town move, that's what I would personally do. For a longer move, I'd advocate for selling/donating everything and just setting up fresh in the new location - and there is something to be said for that even in a cross-town move.

Many LFS can do the whole thing for you, so hiring them isn't a bad idea if you trust them. If nothing else, having the extra muscle to move a 200g system is handy.

 

[Kooma]

I’ve thought about this as I setup a used 225. Just the tank move is a weekend chore with it empty. Maybe your LFS can hold your livestock for you? Otherwise, as above, setup a holding system, move fish and rock, then move tank, and then setup and everything back in.

Unless I can move a system and have it back up same day, I would trade in my corals. Fish are much more hardy and can handle bucket or tote life for a while.

 

[dwest]

Good advice above. I just moved my 180 reef this past summer. I set up a 100 gallon stock tank and moved rocks, fish, corals to there. This system was fully functional. All was there for 2 weeks while I set my system up.

For the move itself, fish were all placed in 5 gallon buckets with air pumps, liverock was dry with wet towels over them, and corals placed in black Home Depot bins with water.

 

[Ryan15236]

Following.

I have a 180 gallon reef and we will be moving within 20 mile radius in next 6-12 months

 

[Gumbies R Us]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-is-your-1-tip-for-people-moving-tanks.827509/

 

[Reef Altitude]

Would you just have the house movers move the empty tank or not a great idea?

 

[dwest]

Would you just have the house movers move the empty tank or not a great idea?

My movers moved my empty tank, stand, and canopy.

 

[kolius]

Following!

I’m planning to move my 50-gallon tank to a new apartment. Hopefully it won’t be a long trip—about a 20-minute drive.

I’ve started setting up a temporary system at the new place.

The glass of my current tank is covered with coralline and green algae, and I’m wondering whether I can keep it alive during the move. My idea was to move the tank with substrate, and to cover the glass with wet towels. Once it arrives to the new location, refill it with water.

Do you think it would work? Or should I forget about preserving my algae, clean the tank before the move, and transport it clean and dry?

 

[Manny'sReef]

Hi all,

I have a 200 gallon system that I will need to move when we sell our house in the next 6 months.

I will be able to move into the new house a month or two before leaving my current house.

Was thinking of setting up inexpensive temporary systems at the new house and moving livestock then trading down and moving the 200 gallon system empty and clean.

Also considering selling livestock or hiring an lfs.

Looking for others experience with this kind of project because it's going to already be a crazy time.

What would you do?

I can help you from two perspectives. As a Realtor, moving ahead of the sale is very smart in case you need extra time and you won't feel rushed. You'll be stressed either way, but not rushed. Secondly, I would hire an experienced service that will move it for you. I've done that and it's worth every penny, especially with the stress. I'm in the process of upgrading my system to a larger one and they're doing it again for me. On my previous move I didn't have to worry about bins, all the water, etc. Do yourself and your livestock a favor and ask around for a good referral. Good luck!