Moving tank

[fishboi]

Hello everyone, I have questions regarding moving tank safely with sand. Tank will be around 72 gallon with 20 gallon sump. I'm contemplating whether to keep the sand or start with new sand.

1. Do I have to take out the sand and start with new sand to prevent any spikes?
2. Would I be able to rinse the sand and place it back in the tank without causing any spikes? If I can rinse do I use RO water or can I use hose water to rinse?
3. Would it still be safe for me to drain out the water and leave the sand in the tank and move to a new place?

Any tips would be great. Thank you in advance.

 

[OldReefGuy]

JUST IMO....#3 IS BEST, the other two options will start a cycle (most likely full blown ones). As long as the sand stays wet, it will be good for several days, if not longer.

 

[tygerjace]

Keep the old sand. And if you can move with tank that would be great leaving enough water where it just barely covers sand. This is the best way to not disturb sand.

If you remove sand do not rinse with ro water or even worse hose water. Rinsing with freshwater will kill bacteria. rinse with tank water is best.

If you remove sand whether you rinse or not you will get some spike to a degree. To help just do partial water changes more frequent on the 1st couple of weeks and monitor corals.

Oh and add more benificial bacteria to help speed up process.

And save as much old water as you can

 

[OldReefGuy]

and keep as much of your old biomedia intact....i.e. filter baskets etc....use those in your new tank for a couple of weeks...

 

[joseserrano]

New sand bed. Have lots of extra water

 

[Reeferkcp]

I did this recently. Moved 75 gallon to new 150 gallon. Most people online said use new sand and thats what i did. Use as much old water as possible for stability. If u have a lot of live rock, it wont start a new cycle. Dont overfeed. I use MB7 just in case. Old sands will release too much debris and hurt fish i heard. I did not lose any fish or corals. I had 20 fish and lots of corals.

leaving old sand is ok too if you do your best not to disturb it

 

[Tangwich]

I have had the best luck with new sand AFTER the tank is running again..it clouds for a bit but clear the next morning. Also that's the best time to scrub ur rocks to get rid of any unwanted algae and hitchhikers (bubble algae, hair algae, aiptasia, vertemid snails, other undesirables)
Lastly, the amount of water and the hours you think it might take, double them both. And lastly lastly, enjoy the process. It is a hobby after all 😉👍

 

[fishboi]

Thank you everyone for the tips. I will try to move the tank with sand. If it’s too heavy I’ll just start with new sand. Will new sand cause diatoms?

 

[JojosReef]

I moved my nano (yes, way different than a big tank) with the sand intact and water just at the sand level so everything stayed wet. Rocks and livestock in buckets and tuppers. Everything went back in and I added some Microbacter7 for good measure (and a few drops Seachem Prime just in case). Fire shrimp died, but I think that was my fault and nothing to do with the water chem. I would do it again that way.

 

[OldReefGuy]

Thank you everyone for the tips. I will try to move the tank with sand. If it’s too heavy I’ll just start with new sand. Will new sand cause diatoms?

If too heavy, take the sand out and put container(s) and rinse in existing tank water and put back in when you are set-up...that should help minimize your cycle

 

[DETANE]

Hello everyone, I have questions regarding moving tank safely with sand. Tank will be around 72 gallon with 20 gallon sump. I'm contemplating whether to keep the sand or start with new sand.

1. Do I have to take out the sand and start with new sand to prevent any spikes?
2. Would I be able to rinse the sand and place it back in the tank without causing any spikes? If I can rinse do I use RO water or can I use hose water to rinse?
3. Would it still be safe for me to drain out the water and leave the sand in the tank and move to a new place?

Any tips would be great. Thank you in advance.

#3

 

[All Delight]

If you're moving and setting up quickly.....like a weekend thing. I'd keep the old sand and rinse it out with saltwater.

If you're moving and setting up weeks or more later, use new sand.

Depending on how much sand you have, I'd be little concerned moving the tank with sand in it. Would hate to weaken the bottom panel. Not to mention making it heavier to move.

I've used home depot buckets to store the established sand. Cover it with the lid.

 

[fishboi]

I’m planning to move the tank and set it up within the same weekend. It’s about 40lbs worth of sand

If you're moving and setting up quickly.....like a weekend thing. I'd keep the old sand and rinse it out with saltwater.

If you're moving and setting up weeks or more later, use new sand.

Depending on how much sand you have, I'd be little concerned moving the tank with sand in it. Would hate to weaken the bottom panel. Not to mention making it heavier to move.

I've used home depot buckets to store the established sand. Cover it with the lid.