help im moving dont know where to start

[braelynsNemo]

something very unfortuneate has happend with my family and now i have to move. i have only some hermit crabs in my tank thank god. so where do i start. i probably will not be able to take all of my water but 20 lbs or live rock and 35lbs of live sand i will be taking. i want to set it up as soon as possible. my drive will not be too far .. about 25 mins. so where do i start?

[fsn77]

If possible, it's best to move an aquarium as either the first item or the last item. Inevitably, it always takes more time and effort than most people plan on it taking.

It would be ideal if you could keep all of your live rock and sand completely submerged during transport from your current place to your new place.

Once the tank is put back together, I'd acclimate the hermits like they were new additions. You might have a mini-cycle, so it would be a good idea to closely monitor your water parameters and respond accordingly if ammonia or nitrite spikes on you.

[1wizz]

First of all i hope all turns out well or for the better for you.
Planning is the key to these things get a tub or tubs that will hold all your rock submerged in the old tank water ( a few tubs/buckets with that you can move are better than one heavy one you can't) as you take the rock out try not to disturb the water to much, account for all the crabs and place then in a small kids plastic terrarium or such like seal-able but not air tight container.
Next syphon out your tank water into 25litre containers and if your tank is not to big leave the sand/substrate in the bottom wet if it is to big or heavy put the wet sand in food bags, again lots of bags is better than one heavy bag splitting.
Transport the tank and tubs etc to their new home and set the aquarium up in position add sand then gently pour in the water trying not to disturb the sand to much put in rocks then crabs just keeping an eye on temperatures equals good.
Hope this helps.

[stephen666]

Totally agree with both of the above replys ....keep the rock submergad and the sand ....ive recently moved and my 100gallon was 4 hours worth of work after the move not to mention the death of some of my rock....but try to move the rock and sand quickly and you will be ok

[mandy21]

I have always bought new tanks for when I move. WHen I move here from my apartment, I'll be moving my 75g, 30g, and 29g and they'll be moved into an already cycled 240g. I moved my 30g that was at home and it was put into a 75g that was cycled here then moved the 30g empty to start over. As far as the rock and sand, I did as was suggested above, sorta. I trashed most of the sand. As I will do with what I have now. I'll kep a big bag full of sand that's in water to help bring in the good bacteria and the rock will be in rubbermaid tubs with as much water in it as I can with soaked towels over them. I think the best thing you can do is what you're doing now, establishing a plan ahead of time.

This thread is making me dread moving all my stuff, not just my tanks in a couple months.