Jestersix

Tank moving question.

Srt4eric

Vice President
BOD
So I kind of want all my tanks in one room. But in order for the 100g to fit right I'm going to have to move the 40g 10 feet across the room. What's the best way to do this? Get a large brute trash can, empty most of the water into it and then just pump it back in when it's in it's new spot?
 
Yes, try not to disturb the sand or you can replace it entirely. Drain all water before you remove rocks, Also do a water change during the move. The most important thing is to do this as quickly as possible. Under four hours would be ideal. Good luck!!!
 
Yes, try not to disturb the sand or you can replace it entirely. Drain all water before you remove rocks, Also do a water change during the move. The most important thing is to do this as quickly as possible. Under four hours would be ideal. Good luck!!!

Do I have to pull the rock? Especially since I'm essentially sliding it over just 10 feet.
 
If you take the water out you can always just tape some styrofoam against the glass if you're worried about the rock falling over and scratching (or breaking) the glass.

And with a brute's worth of water out moving it shouldn't be a problem unless your stand has rubber feet or something that has a lot more friction against the ground
 
It's a glass tank and the rock work is pretty solid, I'm not worried about it falling over. And it's on hardwood floors so it should slide pretty easily.
 
This does not need to be particularly time consuming. Drain the water into something else, protect the glass (foam, towels, or even cardboard in trash bags to keep it dry). Unplug life support, and move it. Easiest if it stays on the stand because then you can just pick the stand up and go. Furniture sliders are strongly preferred over dollies as I’ve seen a lot of things tipped off of dollies when they hit a bump.

If you do have to lift the tank off of the stand be extremely careful setting it back down so that you don’t overload a corner.

It’s preferable if you can take the fish out first, but if a wrasse truly insists on staying behind leave him a half inch of water.

Things should be unplugged and sump drained if there is one before draining the display to decrease the time the coral is out of water.

Be very careful not to disturb the sand when you refill. If you don’t regularly siphon the sand it would be a good ideas to do so in advance. If you have really dirty sand and stir it all up you’re going to find yourself doing a massive water change. It wouldn’t hurt to have RO water plus dry salt on hand as a contingency plan, but you shouldn’t need it.

A few years back I relocated a 29 gallon Biocube a quarter mile or so from a residence to an office via the back seat of a car. We took out the fish and water, but not the coral or even the RBTAs. There were no losses, and the tank looked normal after a couple days.

Assuming able bodied individuals this is possible as a solo activity, easier with two, and downright simple with three.
 
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