So it is time to upgrade. My 60 gallon is only 12 inches deep and has no sump. The limitations have become too much after 8 months. I picked up a used, less than 1 yr old, Reefer 425 XL for half the price of a new one. Given the fact that ordering a new one can also take months I was stoked. Pictured is my current tank next to the new Reefer.
Step 1 was moving my current tank. What a chore that is! Since my tank is so tall I have 3 layers of rock. I had to take the 1st 2 top layers down as I drained the water. I put the rocks (many with lots of corals on them) in two 20 gallon storage bins from lowes with a heater and wave maker in each. Once I got down to 20 gallons in the tank I was able to move it with furniture mover pads on all 4 corners. The fish were not happy but did ok with the 20 gallons left in the tank. I had intended to then put my rock structure all back together as I cycled the new tank. When I looked at all my rock I realized how difficult that would be. I just grabbed the rock with corals on them and balanced them the best I could. Praying for no earthquake! It turned out best because now I have 1/2 of my cycled live rock to cycle the new tank with. I left them in one of the 20 gallon tubs as I prep the Reefer. Once I filled my tank back up with 20 gallons of old water from one of the Lowes tub and 20 new gallons saltwater I turned everything back on. The fish and corals were not happy last night after the move but by the morning all was back to normal. All the corals are open and happy and all the fish doing well. I hope the move into the Reefer goes as smoothly. Pictured is the tank before and after the move.
Step 1 was moving my current tank. What a chore that is! Since my tank is so tall I have 3 layers of rock. I had to take the 1st 2 top layers down as I drained the water. I put the rocks (many with lots of corals on them) in two 20 gallon storage bins from lowes with a heater and wave maker in each. Once I got down to 20 gallons in the tank I was able to move it with furniture mover pads on all 4 corners. The fish were not happy but did ok with the 20 gallons left in the tank. I had intended to then put my rock structure all back together as I cycled the new tank. When I looked at all my rock I realized how difficult that would be. I just grabbed the rock with corals on them and balanced them the best I could. Praying for no earthquake! It turned out best because now I have 1/2 of my cycled live rock to cycle the new tank with. I left them in one of the 20 gallon tubs as I prep the Reefer. Once I filled my tank back up with 20 gallons of old water from one of the Lowes tub and 20 new gallons saltwater I turned everything back on. The fish and corals were not happy last night after the move but by the morning all was back to normal. All the corals are open and happy and all the fish doing well. I hope the move into the Reefer goes as smoothly. Pictured is the tank before and after the move.