How to transport safely?

[pianomanzz]

I'm looking to buy a complete 120 gal RR tank with all the livestock.. I'd be transporting it about 2-3 hours drive. Anyone have suggestions how best to accomplish this without loosing any livestock?

Thanks,
Zman

 

[Greg Hiller]

Not easy to do. For any large fish I'd get them in their own container with a battery powered air bubbler. For corals you may be okay putting them just in a bucket as long as they don't touch and don't get bounced around too much. Live rock I'd keep submerged. Live sand I'd probably toss except for a thin layer on top.

What type of stuff are you transporting?

 

[Miller]

Google moving fish tanks to get an idea about how to do it.

I swapped my 10 gallon and put a 20 in the same place that the 10 was, though a much smaller tank and move the process would work the same.

I would bag all the corals individually and place them in a cooler. That way none of them touch and sting each other. Small fish would do fine in a large bag with plenty of water and air.

The one thing we did with our mini move was to sit down and really plan out the move....step by step everything we could think of. That way during the move we did not have to think about what was next it was all on the list in the order to be done. That really made things go by much smoother and faster.

Tank your time and don't rush. Plan it out and give yourself PLENTY of time to make the move. It will take all day.

 

[alpha0r]

There is some info on this tread.

Long Distance Tank Moves
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66049

 

[abwalker]

I just wanted to add that I always try and have more than enough prepared saltwater at the new location. Also, expect it to take at least twice as long as it should! You shouldn't have any other plans that day.

Have you had a good look at how the tank is plumbed? Some people plumb so its impossible to take apart and put back the system without cutting and re-glueing.

Abby

 

[marco67]

IMO
Expecting to break down travel and set up with animals living in the same tank the same day is not only not practical it's a recipe for a disastrous end, for either the floors in the new house or the animals or both.

I would set my goal a bit lower to include only breakdown and transport to a temporary holding system (rubber maid tank or the like). Then once the pressure is off you can start re plumbing and filling the new system.
In addition to all the great suggestions mentioned, add a supply of amquel+ to your list as well as a bacteria product such as Fritz turbo start 900.
Be particularly aware and cautious of the sand bed, you will almost certainly disturb it, consider discarding it altogether, especially if the plan is to get animals in there same day (this is where the turbo 900 and amquel with be important).

If you have an ro/di system make sure to have extra carbon and di cartridge, In a pinch bypass the RO membrane and you will make water about 10X faster. (if your not sure of the water toss a cap full of the amquel in)

 

[stingythingy45]

^^^

Great advice.
Just remember that sometimes things don't go so smoothly.
I like the idea of getting things home and setting up a temporary system.
I made a move recently(same house,just upgraded).I can tell you that a 100 gallon stock tank works great to house rocks coral fish and inverts til you get the display up and going.That first day TIME is going to tick by like you wont believe.You'll feel like you're fighting the clock,and in many ways you are.