Moving tank and restarting sump

MikeRowe2024 · Aug 15, 2023

hello, I had a 20g display and 30g sump running. I was in between leases for 2 weeks so I had to move tank to a friends house. It’s been running with HOB filter at about 10-15g after rocks and sand. (Can’t go higher bc bulkhead holes).
I move into my own place tomorrow.
What’s the best way to move the tank then get the sump going again?
I’m worried about adding 30g of new water. Should I be? Or can I start running it at full capacity right away?

or should I add new water to the system gradually (5g a day or something)?

Only have a goby, emerald crab, and snails because this move has been looming and I’m very excited to be able to get back going with the tank

vetteguy53081 · Aug 15, 2023

Tim Anderzyn said:
hello, I had a 20g display and 30g sump running. I was in between leases for 2 weeks so I had to move tank to a friends house. It’s been running with HOB filter at about 10-15g after rocks and sand. (Can’t go higher bc bulkhead holes).
I move into my own place tomorrow.
What’s the best way to move the tank then get the sump going again?
I’m worried about adding 30g of new water. Should I be? Or can I start running it at full capacity right away?

or should I add new water to the system gradually (5g a day or something)?

Only have a goby, emerald crab, and snails because this move has been looming and I’m very excited to be able to get back going with the tank

As ive done this several times including moving an entire LFS, remove water and salvage half of it and leave 1/4 of water in tank and carefully move it to vehicle and cover with saran wrap to prevent sloshing onto your vehicle. Place at new location at your place, add salvaged water back in over a plastic tray or plate, add new water for top off and some liquid bacteria such as Micro Bacter XLM and it will be like doing a major water changed and tank will clear quickly.
Existing bacteria will stay alive several hours.