Help with 1st time big move!

[cfrussin]

I need help. I've had a 210 reef system for 14 months now. It's got about 3 inches of sand and about 200 lbs. of live rock well covered with coralline. My fish are all happy and the LPS's and clam look good. I'm using a Euro-reef CS8-3+

So here's the problem. We're moving. Only about 2 miles away but it's going on the second floor. Since I own the house, I took up the floor wich is only 2 yrs old and using laminated beams, sistered them to the existing joist glued and bolted. One end sits on the outside 2x6 wall and the other end attaches to a center beam made up of 2x10's nailed together. Both ends sitting on an outside 2x6 wall. There are triple 2x6's under each end. The aquarium is going to be sitting on an overbuilt stand that is going to be part of the wall and the front of the tank will be over one of the laminated joists. Unfortunately, the tank has to go right over that beam by only about 4 inches. I used double extra strenght simpson strong ties. Does anyone have the knowledge to help with this? I'm also downsizing to a 180 all-glass. Thanks.

My second question, is because I bought the original sand and rock and a 125 from someone, it had and now has more shells in it from passed away snails. I want a nice clean white bed. Can I just use all new live sand? I am able to take all of the water with me. I just don't want the sand.

 

[nickyblase]

Can't help you much with the support question, but if you are downsizing from your 210 to a 180 & can set up your 180 ahead of time, it would be ideal. That way you can get a bunch of new southdown sand, and seed it with some of your existing live sand. I'm pretty sure it will take about a week for it to go through a mini cycle if you use a good amount of water from your existing tank, mixed with new. That way also, you can move things slowly from one tank to another.

 

[cfrussin]

Thanks. That's why I bought the 180. Problem is although I have a Genx Mak5 I could use, I don't have any extra lighting or a skimmer. Anyone have an extra they'd like to rent? What is Southdown sand?

 

[cfrussin]

Thanks. That's why I bought the 180. Problem is although I have a Genx Mak5 I could use, I don't have any extra lighting or a skimmer. Anyone have an extra they'd like to rent? What is Southdown sand?

 

[NateHanson]

No need for lighting the cycling tank. Even a skimmer isn't necessary if you aren't curing rock in the tank. Just put in the new sand, saltwater, and a few pieces of rock from your current tank. Let it be for a week or two, exchange water between the two tanks in the days before the move, and then go for it.

Nate

 

[delta]

double this, triple that doesn't give much to go on
2x10 nailed together how many? is this is the beam you are refering to in your discription?
what size are the floor joist? look on the joists are they select or #2 grade should be in black writing
what type of laminated beam did you use?
what are your spans?
what is the spacing 12" or 16" inches on center?
is the tank running parallel to the joist?

south down is $6 play sand for 50lbs that is aragonite sand basically aquarium sand. it pretty hard to get now but i think Marc @ Fishybusiness, one of our sponsers, has some.