Tank transportation questions (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

We're considering buying a 115 reef system with live rock, inverts, and fish. It's a 5 hour trip from here. Any suggestions for safely transporting the tank and it's contents? Is this a possible task considering our 80-95 degree weather? :?

 

[AggieBrandon]

I would recommend using lots of rubbermaid containers and saving as much of the tank water as you can. Put your rock in tubs by itself and your corals,fish, inverts, etc in another tub. If you are worried about the heat for the transport for the fish etc you should try to get them inside the vehicle out of the heat. The rock and sand will be fine. Make sure to leave an inch or so of water over the sand to keep it alive. It will be a chore but will be worth it in the long run.

Brandon

 

[Guest]

Moving tanks isn't that difficult, just a pain.

I always use ice chests to transport the livestock.
I put some LR in the icechest, packed down pretty tight so it won't move around, obviously put water in it, and then I put my fish and corals in.
I know most people say put the corals and fish by themselves but I never had a problem keeping them with the LR.
I used rubbermaids also to transport some of the LR and used 5 gallon jugs to transport excess water.

I moved 2 from dallas to here and I never put powerheads or airpumps in anything while moving them. A lot of people say to do that too.
I haven't lost any fish or corals moving them.

 

[AggieBrandon]

Yeah coolers would work well too. When I transported I too put fish and live rock together. I didn't have to go 5 hours though. Live rock with the fish would be good to keep them from stressing...give them hiding places. Another good thought.

Brandon

 

[Guest]

Great ideas!

I knew I could find some bright tank-moving veterans here! Love the ice chest idea. Does all the live rock need to be submerged like the sand?

Wahoo! I've hooked up with the right bunch!

Thanks!

 

[AggieBrandon]

well you could submerge the rock to save all the life in and on it or you could wrap it in damp/wet newspaper, towels, etc. If you have room and enough tubs to submerge it then that is the best way to go.

Brandon

 

[Guest]

That makes sense.

Any other ideas?

 

[Kyle]

Best buy or other places sell a AC/DC converter for a cigarette lighter. I have used these to plug in powerheads for a long trip. They sell different sized ones so that you can plug in several at a time. This works great and allows you not to have to rush.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Kyle.

I've got one of those. That'll work!

 

[bigbird123]

moving

I moved 5(that's right five) 11 1/2 hrs from just south of Memphis and only lost one fish and he jumped up and got stuck in the handle of the tub. I would recommend using air stone because adequate air also releaves stress on the fish. I would put the majority of the rock in a large trash can with the most of the water you are trying to save. Then put 1 or 2 larger rocks with the fish. These provide a simulation of their environment, also releaving stress. You can get a med. size DC converter for about $60 at WalMart. Hook this up with two dualair pumps and you can get air to four containers. The more you can simulate their environment the better chance of survival. I'm sure you want everything to make-it thru the move. I'm not an expert but I've moved these tanks three times and I've gotten pretty good at it. Just my 25 cents.

I hope this helps.

Steve

p.s. You need to save at least 60% of the water!

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Steve.

An 11.5 hour haul with tanks? That makes you the Superman of tank movers, huh?

I hear people pay big money for that.

 

[fishcraze]

Using the power head or air pumps is a GOOD idea for such a long trip and possible hot environment in the car (eg. when you have to turn off the car engine for stops during the trip...). And try to keep the fishes in separate bags/ container to give them space for oxygen and minimize stress.. Those advice comes from my recent experience: I lost a bunch of my cousin's fishes due to depletion of Oxygen.. He torn down his tank and brought all his fishes over to my place to keep for him . I let all of them in a 50 gal rubber tub w/ lot of live rocks. I hooked up and turned on a maxijet, and every thing looked fine.. and it's late in the evening.. So i went out for a dinner and came back 3 hours later to find that more than half of the fishes died, including the 4 yrs old/ 10" long/ beautiful French angel :-x Found out that the power supply for the power head failed!!! Turned the powerhead back on, the rest of the fishes recovered in about 20 min!!

 

[bigbird123]

Maybe I should start sumpin' here? Get it?

I actually rented a hospital gurney to move my 135g. You see the beheamuth people they move on TV. Then I got an idea....and it worked great!

 

[Guest]

i've got 2 state champ powerlifters and a 15 year old son who has no clue how strong he is. The muscle is not a problem.

I like the sound of your tank. Want to move it back to your old stomping grounds and GIVE it to me?

hehe
HAHA
RFLMAO!

 

[Guest]

If heat might be a problem, move them at night, outside temp should be close to normal tank temp.
During the heat of the day, freeze 2 liter bottles with RO/DI water.
Keep extra bottles in a igloo iced down to change out as they thaw.

 

[rhane71]

Best thing to use is an ice chest(s). Travel in the morning or late afternoon if possible. I have moved many tanks from Dallas to Houston. I would put my live rock in one container with some water but it doesn't have to be fully underwater. Now corals I would keep under water and an air pump if possible. They sell battery operated ones at wal-mart or many of they local pet store. I would keep fish in a seperate container with an air pump as well, NO live rock in this container. The live rock can shift and kill your fish or inverts. If you are worried about heat try freezing some water in a few zip lock bags and place one or two in the water while you are traveling to help with the heat. I would use R.O. water just in case they leak. Its a good idea to freeze more than you need. You can always toss them away when you get home if you don't use them.

Try to make the ride as smooth as possible. Have a plan in case something goes wrong. 5-7 hour is not that long and can be done easily. I would also keep about 10 extra gallons of salt water with me just in case its needed when you get ready for your trip home. not all water will be recovered from the main tank. don't forget to keep your sand seperate from everything else. Don't use water that has been fouled up with sand for your fish or corals. This means don't disturb the sand bed while removing as much water as you can from the tank. You want that water as clean as possible.

Hope this helps...

Abran

 

[Guest]

Great ideas! Sounds like there are a bunch of seasoned vets out there.

Thanks again!