Long Distance Tank Move

[Jay]

Hey Everyone-
I need some opinions/advice here from anyone with any experience moving a tank long distance. I am moving to New Mexico and want to continue my hobby. I will be setting up a new tank once I get there but will use everything from my current tank. The drive is about 850 miles and I expect it to take about 15 hours due to towing a trailer behind my car I can only drive about 50mph. In a perfect world I will have no casualties so I want to take any steps necessary to accomplish this. Thanks in advance to anyone that has something to add to this post. Moving 10 fish of various size and assorted corals & anemones.

jay

 

[Purplerock]

Just bag each fish seperately in big enough bags WITH OXYGEN (your lfs can help with this) and bag each coral seperately as well. Then keep live rock wet(wrapped with wet newspapers or towels), and bring as much of the old water as possible(At least 60%imo). Package them in styrofoam boxes and keep them out of extreme tempatures and they will be fine. That's all there is to it. Oh also, drain most of the water and pull the rocks before you catch the fish. Wait until there is only a couple of inches of water left before you bag up the fish, that reduces the stress on the fish when it comes to chasing them around, just scoop and bag, no chasing. Get bagging water for fish and corals before water gets all stirred up and cloudy. Best to bag up corals and fish, pump clean water out, then box up rock and live sand last. Good luck with the move. If done right the tank will look fine in 24 hours after set back up.

 

[Jay]

Thanks for the response. I plan on using the largest bags possible for the bagging of the fish. I figure more water, more oxygen= less stress for fish. i am also planning on feeding my fish two days before the move and not feed anymore so that don't crap in their bags and pollute the water. As far as old water goes Im only able to bring about 20% of the volume of the new tank. I am a bit worried about how to old the fish until the new tank is setup, probably about 10 hours or so after i arrive. I plan on filling up a tank with about 20g of water and putting an air pump in the tank to hold. I will unpack the fish as soon as I get there.

 

[SavetheReef]

My advise and maybe what you dont want to hear

Sell your fish to local reefers and take everything else with you. Its hard enough to move local and set up a tank. I know i move a 180g with 70g sump and it was only 20 min away. I can imagine a long haul. Or maybe you can set it up with some one to fed ex you everything once you move everything. Just a though my 02 cent

 

[Jay]

true. Not exactly what I wanted to hear but thanks for the input. Not a lot of fish resources where Im going and am a little bit attached to my fish. Even if I had someone fedex my fish to me for mucho denero they would still be in bags for about 15 hours or so. I think with proper preperation that I can pull this off.

 

[SavetheReef]

I wish you the best of luck bud. May the FORCE be with you!

 

[pookstreet]

You need to consider the possibility of a mini cycle once your tank is set back up because the system has been disturbed on a major scale. Some of your hardier corals may survive it but probably not the more sensitive corals. Fish is a toss up depending on what they are. Some may get stressed out enough to break out in ich or some other disease. If you can, set up a tub on the side with a mixture of old/new water and keep the fish/corals in it with aeration. Definitely no sand or very few rocks. Set up your tank and wait until it stabilizes before putting any livestock in it.

You'll be amazed how much detritus and other stuff are on the rocks/sand. Once that's disturbed, it will foul the water to a point where it's unsuitable for fish/corals. I've lost fish from just switching tanks, not to mention moving it. Good luck.

 

[newnanoboy]

i think you might want to find glockoma's thread on his recent move... i'm sure he can give you a few pointers on what went wrong...

 

[Jay]

yea that might be good, how do i search for a thread?

 

[SavetheReef]

Remember to give the fish oxygen. If you get the LFS to pack them for you the air in the bag should be good for 24hrs. But once you open that bag and new air is introduced the water will raise the ammonia level real fast. so you have to get them out.

 

[Jay]

Good advice, I do plan on using my LFS resources. I am taking all livestock over there beforehand and packing up everything right before I leave town.

 

[VonFuct]

Okay, so you only lost a few fish (you needed to downsize anyway), but lets see some shots of the new set up damnit! ;o) glad you and the crew made it... your car was looking GOOD as you drove out overloaded! Hahaha!

Chargers

 

[Jay]

hell of a drive with car overloaded, 19 hours to go 800 miles. Fish lost died in a holding pen at LFS, fighting with each other before they got packed up as Vonfuct witnessed, thanks for the replacement tailspot blenny. All livestock made the drive though and the new tank looks awesome. Should have some pics soon. In the process of upgrading the light and building a canopy.

Shhhh.... Dont tell my sister that the I set up the 90 gallon instead of the 55She will find out at Christmas anyway...

 

[VonFuct]

wait, you mean the 90 gallon I paid for? Grrr...

 

[Jay]

I know, its a sticky situation. I would have liked to seen the 90 in your living room. Its kind of my moms tank though except she needs to consult me before bringing home any livestock like coming home with 2 condalactys anemones. Refused to let them go in my tank