Tank move

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by eric1980, Apr 3, 2012.

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  1. eric1980

    eric1980 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Massachusetts
    I have a 10 gallon saltwater tank with about 12 lbs of rock and two clown fish along with the cleanup crew. I am going to be moving the tank out of my work office and into my house. What is the best way to go about doing this?

    I'm sort of guessing that I will have to put the live rock in a bucket and fill the water level so it is above the live rock with water from the tank.

    I'm wondering if it would be alright to move 80% out of the tank and then leave the rest of the water in the tank for the fish to swim in during the 1 hour jouney, or if I should remove the fish and transport them separately?

    I'm assuming that if I keep the same water/rocks/and filters the tank would remained cycled?
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    How long has the tank been set up?
     
  4. eric1980

    eric1980 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    The fish have been living in the tank for about a week now. There are no signs of ammonia, nitrite, and the nitrate is between 5ppm and 10ppm.
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Buckets if you are not going far.
    Coolers if it's a distance to your home, since it's an hours drive I would bag up the fish and place them in a cooler to maintain the temp. Make sure there is enough air in the bag, similar to the way the LFS bags them.
    Either way there should not be a lot of detritus build up in such a young tank.
    I doubt anyone can say for sure if you will not have a slight mini cycle, just keep testing and have water made up for a wc if appropriate.
    Just keep the clowns warm and well aerated, they would be my biggest concern.
    Also transfer the tank completely empty.
     
  6. ReefBruh

    ReefBruh Giant Squid

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    I would put the fish in a cooler like coraline said and buy a battery operated air bubbler for it. put the water and rock in 5 gallon jugs and leave the sand in the tank with enough water to keep the sand covered. It shouldn't be that heavy. Them put it all back together when you get home.
     
  7. zoo 4 life

    zoo 4 life Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Move the tank empty for security reasons, fish tanks are not designed to be moved with anything but air in them. I have seen quite a few fail after being moved with items in them. Save as much of the water as you can. For that short of a time you should be fine with buckets/bags for fish.