Total tear down of a 150...moving

[travelinman1969]

I'm moving in about 2-3 weeks and want to get my ducks in a row. I have a 150 that is well established. I will have to remove everything from the tank. It weights over 200 lbs. with nothing in it. What should I do to make the tank ready quickly, so I can get my fish back in asap? I would like to have them in within the day. Say, fill the coolers, get the fish in, finish the tear down, move the tank and get it set back up by noon that day, hoping the fish can go back in by that evening. Anyone tried this? I will have an R/O at the new house so should have plenty of water by the time I do this. Should I leave the filters alone to preserve the bacteria?? I have a Fluval 404, Penguin 330 and a PF500 with integrated heating.

[OrionGirl]

Keep the filter media wet, and you should be okay. Keep some of the old water, to bring in the micro fauna, and make sure to match the conditions closely. With RO, this will probably mena mixing some tap water in for hardness. If possible, have a tub with the new water warming before you move the tank--this will speed the process up.

Otherwise, big coolers and maybe some air pumps, should do it for you.

[KarlskidMarx]

Just moved a friend's tank for him recently and I'll give you the quick rundown.

It was the last thing we removed from his old house, and the first thing we put into his new house, the less time between the two the better.

All the fish where bagged separately (except small tetras) and put into a styrofoam cooler.

I bagged a few extra gallons of water for the same reasons OrionGirl mentioned. Plants and filter media were kept moist.

I put a thermometer in one of the bags so that when they entered their new home I would know exactly what temp they were at in transport.

I had everything organized and ready to go before the big moment. Organization is the key, how you organize everything is your choice (we all do things a little differently), but if you stick to your plan you'll do fine.

By the way, I have moved 4 tanks in the last year and had zero casualties, I have been real lucky. I wish you the same luck.

[travelinman1969]

LOL!! :duh: I guess I should mention these fish won't fit in bags, well maybe hefty garbage bags.

The ph in my tank is 6.8 so adding tap water may hurt me. At least it does here, that's why I'm moving from this area, in search of better water. Does anyone know what the ph is from an R/O? I know I need to add some minerals back. This will be my first R/O but I've done some research on them already, but never heard what the ph is from them.

Also, I will spending one full day just on moving the tank. One of the first thing I plan to do on the move.

[OrionGirl]

pH of RO should be 7.0. Yep, tap won't help. You could try filtering with peat--it will soften the water, but you'll need to monitor the KH to prevent crashes.

Figured this was the big boys--clean coolers, without baggies, will work just fine. Heavy duty plastic bags will work as well, but do not make them easier to carry.

[Dwarfnut]

I've just recently moved the second time in 7 months and of course moved all the tanks with me! I have 7 tanks from 20 gallons to 75 gallons, so I can relate on the bigger ones!! much good advise has already been given, so stick to the plan. The important things are to keep the fish warm and safe. You might want to but a couple of the larger tupperware containers as they work good for storing fish in short term. Next is o make sure everything stays wet so the bacteria doesn't die. It doesn't have to stay under water, just wet. Finally, the RO water should be a nice neutral 7.0. 6.8 is not real far from 7.0 so the fish should be fine with no additives. How are you getting the ph down to 6.8 currently? I'd stick to the same regimine you have been doing.

Take your time, be careful and everything will be great.

Good luck,
BC

[Matak]

You can keep the 'slosh' effect down in the coolers by cutting a piece of styrofoam to just fit over the water line in the cooler. If you do this, remember to cut a decent sized hole in the styrofoam for air exchange. A battery operated air pump would be a good addition to this.

Are you moving by yourself and freinds, or hiring to move? Maybe building a tank crate with styrofoam corners would ease nightmares. It would give more 'handles' to grab on to, which would be appreciated with the weight of your tank.

[WarriorZ]

I just moved my 150G tank. Fish all made it, but **** that tank is heavy!! Took about four of us to move it, and **** near made it from outside to the stand. WOW

Have enough guys to help move it. I think you said 200? Mine is 1/2 inch glass, way more than 200 pounds!

[travelinman1969]

Bottled water is 6.8, that's what I use. I don't think they make tupperware containers that big. :p

Guess I should have mentioned, the fish to be moved are a 24 inch arowana, 2 six inch albino tiger oscars, a 5 inch bala shark, a 17 inch pleco and a 14 inch pleco. One of the plecos may be gone before I move though. I will be using an oversize cooler for the 17 inch pleco and the arowana and another for the rest. Might put the bala with the arowana as well. Heat is going to be my main concern. I have an integrated heater in my PF500 so I don't have any external heaters. Guess I better buy some.

It was nice here until the last few days, hoping for better weather in the next couple of weeks. Moved this same time last year and it wasn't pretty.

[jeffro426]

If they wont fit in bags, put them in the trashcans that have wheels on them...we used 3 of those when we moved my friends fish and saved most of his water from the tank(200 gallon oscar tank)...man was that thing heavy!! It really helps to have a small crew of people to give you a hand also.

[travelinman1969]

Yeah we'll have at least 4 of us. I was guessing on the weight. I think closer to 300 may be it. It was heavier than a mother who ain't on a diet. Just measured the glass and it is 1/2 inch. 2 of us moved it in here.

[travelinman1969]

I like the trashcan idea, I'll think about that.

[Matak]

I wouldn't worry too much about heat loss in an insulated container, or even an uninsulated one for that matter if the time in the cold isn't too long, the rate of temperature change will be really slow. But make sure the water temps are all = when you add water at the new place and then raise the temp slowly.