Getting ready for an upgrade!!!!

[ReeferMatt]

Well it sounds like I will be getting a 150g tank in late June. I am starting to plan the swap now, as I would like it to go as smooth as possible. I will be picking up the tank and livestock here in loveland, and will be putting it where my 90g sits now. I think I have decided to move my 90 to another location (about 12 feet away) a few days before new tank comes home. What I'm still trying to decide is if I will rinse and re-use sand or just buy new, if I will start with both tanks running and slowly move things or just set up the new tank and do the swap all at once.....I will have a LOT of liverock to work with and I know the all at once strategy makes for a very long and risky day! Last but not least I will need to borrow some muscles when the day comes, and maybe a few brute trash cans for water and rock. Let me know what you guys think and any advice would be helpful.

 

[ReeferMatt]

Over the years I have moved my tanks many times, and only one time did I ever have a problem with used sand..... but it nuked my whole tank. I know Cindy had a good experience getting sand from Marco Rock and 160# for $109 shipped sounds like one heck of a deal! I think my biggest concern is all the fish in the 150 I'm picking up. I'm only keeping a few of them, the rest will find new homes, so I think I will pick them up a few days before the tank. I should really set up a quarantine tank but I'm not sure the practicality of quarantining this many fish at one time. I really want to look at this as just moving the 150 and putting new sand in it..... and my corals and fish. I will have water from both tanks to fill it and should only need to make about 30g of new salt water. Has anyone tried those furniture moving slides for scooting a tank a few feet?

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

I bet you could use the furniture slides. I think Andrew b did that once. I'd take out a bunch of h20 1st. I'd also do the new sand as you should replace sand anyhow. If you can set up the new tank a few weeks ahead of time and get it stable before adding in the rest of the live stock. Maybe new sand and a 10 or 20 lbs of live rock for like 4 weeks... Testing of course. Then move in some rock from the old tank and give it a couple days. Have the new tank running with the sump and such the whole time. I'll have time in July to help if ya want.

Ps, I really like the dr Tim's live bacteria product. May be worth the insurance. IMHO

 

[CRW Reef]

Hmmm I like where your head is @ Doc!!! I bet if you you could def use furniture sliders to move a tank with in the same room as long as there wasnt a ton of water.

Also + 1 on new sand and letting it settle with Dr Tims One and Only - http://store.drtimsaquatics.com/One...-for-Reef-Nano-and-Seahorse-Aquaria_p_96.html

 

[ReeferMatt]

So far my plan looks like this.
1. drain 90g tank Save h2o, move 10 feet with sliders, refill.
2. Set up loop in fuge to keep it going (fuge will be disconnected from tank as plumbing is on opposite wall) Tank will run on makeshift fuge till new set up.
3. Pick up livestock from new tank a few days before move, acclimate to my tank. (2 or three days before move)
4. move new tank, set up, plumb...
5. move coral and fish into tubs, bags and pee cups.
6. add new sand and move liverock into tank.
7. drain water from old tank into new tank
8. top off with premixed salt water, about 60 gallons
9. Test water, add bacteria and corals
10. Add fish and leave lights off till next day to let fish settle down.

Ideally this will go off without a hitch, I may need to borrow a couple of barrels for mixing SW as I don't plan on taking more water from the 125 than I need to move his LR. I know it might sound like I'm not listening to the good advice I'm being given but I really don't have the room to run two tanks for 4 weeks. I have been reading a lot of posts about upgrades and it sounds like it's pretty straight forward as long I am not doubeling my water volume.

 

[DyM]

sometimes a hobby sounds like a job... a lot of work...

Good luck on a smooth transition.

 

[09bumblebee]

I used furniture sliders to move my 72 bow front completely full and it worked awesome. Me and my brother picked up each side carefully and my wife slid the slider under each corner. I got the big ones. It moved nicely across my hardwood floor.

 

[SynDen]

Ya I did the same with mine half full so we could put some carpet panels under the tank. I lifted and wife put the sliders under the corners