Is it really possible to move an established tank?

I am a complete newbie. I have had freshwater tanks since the age of 10 (sadly, 30+ years). I am in the process of breaking down a 125g freshwater tank and want to try a reef tank. I realize there is a large cycle and learning curve with a reef tank & tank keeper. I'd like to try and buy an established tank on the used market to minimize this. Is it really possible to do this and have a fully functional reef tank from day 1? How vulnerable is an established tank to a breakdown and rebuild? I have been looking at setups like below (opinions welcome):

Oceanic 150 Gal Complete Saltwater Reef Aquarium System - eBay (item 380289401083 end time Nov-21-10 18:45:41 PST)

 

It is possible but there is usually some die off due to stress. Buy new sand for the tank old sand usually causes more trouble than it is worth when you move unless you leave the sand in place then leave an inch of water over the top of the sand. Get trash cans and 5 gallon buckets to trasport the rock and animals in. Put enough water in the buckets to keep everything covered. Make up lots of fresh saltwater before the move and match the parameters of the old water.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

it is, but it is difficult. You will have to transport about 3/4 of the water over, move all the rocks over and all the livestock....but it can be done (I have done it when I moved up to bigger tanks) only suggestion is DO NOT USE THE SAND....go ahead an purchase live sand and then take a handful of sand from the old tank and mix it in the new sand!

One suggestion i do have, maybe consider a new tank. Part of the fun IMO is seeing your tank grow with what you want and how you want it. I have never really been interested in buying a complete set up because of that fact.

 

Hello and Welcome.

Yes it is possible to move an established system but many variables come into play.

The tank in the link is beautiful, probably been set-up for a number of years judging by the corals. The sandbed is probably filfthy, and would need to be replaced IMO, otherwise you risk a significant cycle and other problems that would be determental to both the fish and corals.

Depending on the age of the bulbs they more than likely need to be replaced and you need to figure that cost in as well.

Starting a tank from scratch is a great learning experience and most of the fun IMO. If you want a ready made tank I would just get the LFS to set it up and maintain it until you feel like you want to take on the challange.

The science that goes with the hobby is better understood when you see it and do it first hand.

Research SOFT CYCLING, if you decide to go for an established older system.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Difficult? no. Lot of work? Hell yea! I moved my old 75 several times and it did well each time. granted it was alot of work and took about 5 hours or so, but it made it thru the last move when it was getting encrusted very well.

EDIT

WOW!!! that is a MASSIVE branching hammer! HOLY CRAP! Keep in mind, it will get broken in the move. no way around that. you would need a very large bin to keep it submerged in for the transport. same with all that Cabbage leather! but overall, that is a bit high of a price.

 

IMO the best way to learn about keeping a reef tank is to set one up from scratch. Yes, you may encounter more problems than if you buy an already established reef, but you will learn how to overcome those problems which will make you even more knowledgeable about your setup in the long run. Besides, researching equipment and designing your own setup is the most enjoyable part.

 

I just moved 13 tanks. In the last 5 years we've moved 4 times (we're done now... I'm gonna die in this house). One of the tanks was over 15 years old. This last time we lost a seahorse, but that actually wasn't related to the move. And I have to be honest.... we used the sand. Drained the water down to the sand, threw the tank in the truck, set it up again at the new place, poured back in the water. The fish all went back in the tanks in one to two days. I've never experienced a mini-cycle. the first move it was 2 tanks, the next was 8, the next was 8 and the last was 13. I am not saying to NOT be careful and to not spend as much time as possible when moving a tank, but a cycle is not guaranteed.... even when not removing the sand.

I did not have substrate deep enough to be a functional DSB.... that would change things all together (IMO but not IME because I've never done it).


Who has moved a tank my way and had good results? bad results?

Older tanks are indeed dirtier, but the rock in there is super colonized. Even after a couple of years of colonizing base rock, it has no where near the deep colonization of the very established LR. Established rock has more of a chance at keeping the ammonia burp at bay. That may even be why I have had zero problems.... my rock is oooooold. Maybe someone with a newer tank experienced something different than I did? Would love to hear your experiences.

BTW, I also have massive amounts of water, water conditioner and SuperBac on stand by during the move just in case their is a problem. I also feed the fish minimally a few days before and for a couple of weeks after the move, to make sure they don't tax the system more than they have to.

 

Incognito, each time I moved my tank, I NEVER replaced the sand. same sand in that tank for 8 years and 2 moves.

 

No problems then?

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Yeah I should probably go the route of building one out. I may at least look for a system on the used market and then start from scratch with that. Expect to see some future newbie posts from me. Glad I found the place where the pros hang out.

Thanks again!
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