new tank to me

I got a great deal on a 55 gal tank. It comes with a sump, pump, protien skimmer, 60 pounds of live rock and 100 piunds of live sand, multiple fish, no coral. MH lights and test kits out the wazoo. Has snail, hemits, cleaner shrimp frozen food, flakes and more (3powers heads 2 heaters and a chiller) for $300. I really tried to say no but my mouth kept saying yes. really i tried to say no but yes kept coming out. I have read the thread about moving a tank but am looking for any additional info.

I have 3 17 gal tubs plus 3 7 gallon water containers plus a 5 gallon. The tank i am getting looks great and i tested the water and all params look great. The move starts at 8:00am in the morning and will be a great deal of work. Any input about moving tanks would be great. My biggest concern is the sand and stirring it up. My wife founf this deal and wants this to go smoothly in the biggest way( I am very lucky). I am very worried about moving the fish/tank in the heat we have. 93 plus degress and about a 1 hour drive. I am excited and nervous at the same time. The rock alone pays for the tank. Please if anybody has advise I need it now. I have only been in the hobby for 3 months.

Thanks in advance for your help. My old tank a 34 gallon Red sea will become my quarintine tank. The whole family is excited but quite frankly i am sacared to death.

Have to go and clean the tubs. I look forward to any and all help.

Tony "G"

 

The most important advise for any tank move is buy new sand. Other than that its just a matter of getting anything live into your buckets then getting all the dry stuff moved quickly and ready for the live stuff to go back in.

 

How much sand for a 55 gallon???

Kelly "G"

 

Our thoughts were to leave enough water over the sand to make sure that it could make the move. about an inch over the sand?? Good yes or no??? Our car has 2 plugs to keeg the water moving. Will this work??? Tony is in freak m ode. He thinks we are nuts.

 

IMO its not worth the problems you could have to keep the sand. You will probably want 70 lbs. minimum new sand. Keeping the water moving in the fish containers should help out.

 

Will new sand start a cycle?

 

when i transfered from my 72 to 150 i used the old sand and some new and just scooped it up and dropped it in the new tank with no ill effects. i might of just been lucky but i dont see the harm in reusing the old sand.

 

i've reused sand also with no ill effects, but remember the more sand/water in the tank the heavier. As long as you keep the rock under water during the move you shouldn't have much of a cycle. Good luck.

 

long day

Well the move is over. I moved 2 tanks and so far no fatalities. I moved my Red Sea to the other side of the room and put the new 55 gal in the place the Red Sea was at. Broke both tanks down (red sea just emptied the water and rocks then slid the tank) moved them and brought back up in 7 hours including a 2 hour drive to and from where I got the 55 and painting the new stand. Both tanks are up and running and fish do not seem to stressed. Doing the normal thing.

Everthing went suprising smooth. Not one Hic Up (knock on wood). both tanks leveled right up and have 3 gallons of new saltwater left over.

Will run tests in the morning to make sure all in order. I will try to post pics of the new tank Monday.