Tank Move / Transfer

[Baby Ray]

I'm planning on moving in the next couple of months, and I'll have to break down my current 29 gallon setup. However, I've had the same clownfish for over 10 years and he's coming with me.

Right now my plan is to transfer my clownfish and a couple other things from the tank I'd like to keep to a new AIO 12 gallon tank I'll purchase for my new home. If I were to drain and keep enough water for three 5 Gallon buckets with some live rock in them, do y'all think I could transfer that if drove (its an 11 hour drive) to my new home and use it for the 12 gallon all in one tank to avoid having to cycle the tank so that I could immediately put my clownfish in?

That is my current plan but I just wanted to if anyone has had success transferring a tank like this and had any tips.

 

[Gman83]

I would buy a battery operated bubbler at petsmart/Walmart. The kind I have are rated for 30ish gallons apiece, so i have a couple in case the power goes out. I can get 15-18 hours of oxygen off 2 "d" batteries. Hook it up to the side of you bucket, and you then know they are getting plenty of O2

 

[Baby Ray]

I would buy a battery operated bubbler at petsmart/Walmart. The kind I have are rated for 30ish gallons apiece, so i have a couple in case the power goes out. I can get 15-18 hours of oxygen off 2 "d" batteries. Hook it up to the side of you bucket, and you then know they are getting plenty of O2

Yeah I have a couple of those. Would probably get one more for safe measure but great idea.

Do you think I would need any sort of heater to keep the water warm for that period of time or would it be fine?

 

[Gman83]

I originally was going to say something about a heater, but its summer. Assuming you are in the continental US, I dont think there are any temps under zero this time of year. Depending on your region, I would almost be concerned it would be too hot.

I would put up a sun shade/ limit direct sunlight. You might want to freeze some rodi in plastic bags, and keep those in a cooler. That way if it gets too hot, you can add the ice chunk, or the baggie to cool it down. Do you have something that could monitor the temp for you?

While you are traveling probably won't be too much of an issue assuming your vehicle's AC works. However, it could be an issue if you take a long stop (like for lunch).

 

[Baby Ray]

Is it fair for me to assume that this would let me skip the cycle process altogether? I would probably buy a fresh bag of live sand but it would be my "dirty water" from my current tank and live rock.

 

[Gman83]

Me personally, i wouldn't use the old water, or would use as little as possible. I'd make fresh saltwater, get new sand (rinse it to get rid of cloudiness), add it and rocks to tank as soon as possible.

I would want to give it a few days just to double check, but if your rocks stay wet there isn't a reason it should not be sped up/skip.

 

[UncommonSense]

I'm planning on moving in the next couple of months, and I'll have to break down my current 29 gallon setup. However, I've had the same clownfish for over 10 years and he's coming with me.

Right now my plan is to transfer my clownfish and a couple other things from the tank I'd like to keep to a new AIO 12 gallon tank I'll purchase for my new home. If I were to drain and keep enough water for three 5 Gallon buckets with some live rock in them, do y'all think I could transfer that if drove (its an 11 hour drive) to my new home and use it for the 12 gallon all in one tank to avoid having to cycle the tank so that I could immediately put my clownfish in?

That is my current plan but I just wanted to if anyone has had success transferring a tank like this and had any tips.

I recommend using a large plastic bin or ice chest if you have the space for one while moving; either is about the same square footage as three buckets! — just fill it halfway up!

This lets you transport your fish and rock in a larger single water volume for the long drive!

It means your transport container has much more stable water chemistry, and you only need life support equipment on one container of water!

I also recommend looking into USB powered water pumps that you can run off your car! — they’re actually getting decent these days, and can work with, or in place of an air pump!

 

[Baby Ray]

Me personally, i wouldn't use the old water, or would use as little as possible. I'd make fresh saltwater, get new sand (rinse it to get rid of cloudiness), add it and rocks to tank as soon as possible.

I would want to give it a few days just to double check, but if your rocks stay wet there isn't a reason it should not be sped up/skip.

I would do that, but I've had a slight aphasia issue with some of my latest editions to the tank and I'd rather not take the risk of introducing that to a new system.

Also, I have a 29 gallon now and am looking into getting the 12 gallon shallow reef AIO from Reef Casa which is vastly different dimensions so basically none of my current rocks would be good to scape it.

I may try mostly my water and get new live rock from a LFS the day I set the aquarium up