Moving Tank Questions/referrals

[bboersma79]

hi everyone, been trolling the boards ready to get started into this crazy hobby, anyways I am looking into buying some of the complete reef tanks currently for sale and was wondering the following...

must I hire a professional crew to move a tank and equipment/livestock?

Any recommendations?

Approximate cost, likely only moving the tank between 1 and 20 miles, I live on a second floor condo as well.

I could probably get a couple of friends together and have a pick up truck available to move things but I don't want to risk screwing everything up.

If there are any fellow Chicago reefers who could help move I would be able to pay something for the service if anyone is looking to pick up a few bucks. Or I could promise you future frags!

Thanks,
Brad

[moujon]

I've moved tanks, fish, colonies, etc from Chicago and MN to my house in WI- it's not too much of a problem as long as you don't let your vehicle get cold. And of course don't mind a little saltwater on your leather upholstery.

I've used a pickup for the larger tanks (>125) and my Mountaineer for the rest (90 & smaller).

Take as much of the water as you can and then add new- it's like doing a water change. I'd start mixing some now so it's ready when you do the move.

[pondfrog]

What size tank are you considering?
Moving a 55 gallon will be much different than moving a 240 gallon.
I assume the smaller size based on the second floor issue.
2 people can move a 55 with no problem, so a lot of help may not be all that necessary.
However, an experienced person might be helpful in sorting through all the plumbing you take apart to move it.
Set aside an entire day so you can ensure getting it up and running again right away if there is livestock coming with it.
Steve

[cilantro72]

Another option would be to do your purchase in 2 parts.

First, buy someones existing tank/stand/sump/plumbing/lighting etc. and get it all set up at your place. Fill it with salt water.

Then, keep your eyes open for someone who is selling all their livestock/LR/substrate. Buy it, and get as much of their water as you can.

Come home.

Empty part of the water from your at home setup. Add all of the water you took from the livestock tank.

Add your live stock.

Enjoy your tank.

This whole plan assumes you have the patience to do something like this, of course.

Michael

[makoshark]

Brad,

I see in your signature that you are looking to start a 72 Gal. Bowfront tank. You and a friend should be ablel to move this. Try to obtain two clean, plastic 55 gal. drums and move the water in them. Load them in the truck first, then add water. 36 Gals. in each. (roughly 300lbs.) Worst case you use five gallon buckets to haul water to/from the tank. Move the livestock in a large cooler. Use hotpacks if to keep them warm. (They may be in that cooler overnght while the sand settles and you are checking for leaks.) Use five gallon buckets to haul the sand. (yes it's going to smell like rotten eggs). Move the tank. Reverse process. Try to let as much sand settle before reintroducing the livestock.

Good Luck!

[bboersma79]

thanks guys it will either be a 90g rectangle or a 92 bow, both will be coming as complete packages with livestock, I do like the two part idea though, my main concern is obviously that everything is in good shape and that the livestock make the move well. Needless to say it is going to take a good amount of coordination.

I think I am going to go barebottom with starboard anyways so that will solve much of the sand issue, I am assuming the tank will be ready to go much quicker that way and the livestock won't have to spend the night in the barrels.

I have made a full progression from a 72 bow --> 120g rect --> 90g rect, and now leaning towards a 92 corner bow, good thing I didn't start buying tanks on an impulse!

[moujon]

Sounds familiar- 37g -->90g --> 180g! You're not done yet!

Of course- mine doesn't have to go up a flight of stairs!

Good luck.

[bboersma79]

welcome to condo living!

At least I don't want it in my bedroom on the fourth floor.

[moujon]

That's where the nano goes!

[bboersma79]

okay so I have made my purchase a 92g Oceanic corner bow, it is a beautiful tank and is a complete set up with a great mix of livestock already.

I am getting an estimate from Old Town Aquarium on the move, but if anyone else with experience/material to pull a move off like this please let me know. I figure I can pay $500, maybe more, and could provide plenty of extra man power if the move were on a weekend.

The issue is the tank needs to be moved in the next two weeks so timing is fairly tight. If you know of anyone or are interested please contact me at my email.. address...bboersma@rockwoodrealty.com

the tank is moving about a mile down the road so driving time should not be a factor, I do live on the seconf floor so gettin gthe unit into my house probably won't be a lot of fun but I can have 4 people around to help.

Thanks!
Brad

[Racenrich]

sent you a PM and email.

[bboersma79]

question:

what do I do with the softies that are attached to the live rock. Does live rock need to remain submerged in the salt water?

Finally, assuming that there is 50 pounds of live sand and 120 pounds of live rock in the tank, how much water do you think is really in the tank?

[Racenrich]

#1---you can cut them off, they will survive and the leftover on the rock will become another softie.

#2-im still trying to figure out my 55g? 50#'s LS, 85#'s LR , whats left?
Maybe 25g, i'd assume.

Not sure i can help there.

HTH

[bboersma79]

Okay, since Old Town hasn't gotten back to me I am assuming they want no part in moving this tank (obviously because I will not be a maintenance customer at $65/hour) so..

I am planning on moving the tank next Saturday... March 26th, figure an earlier start the better...if anyone can lend a hand I would be more than appreciative.

I will have beers and my bar at your service and I will make sure I get the BBQ in spring shape before then with some brats/burgers and some steaks. I can also offer some monetary compensation but lets not break the bank people!

If anyone can help bring some bags, a cooler, or some of those large food safe buckets/drums that would be great. I already started getting xtra bags from Petco and will buy all the other stuff I need if no one can bring it.

The move will be from the corner of Chicago/Orleans in Chicago to the corner of Willow/Halsted Street, a little over a mile. We will have access to the building and elevator at Orleans and will have to go up one set of stairs at my condo...thanks to all who inquire...if you could help please email me at bboersma@rockwoodrealty.com...I could really use a hand from some experienced reefers!

[bboersma79]

Below is a list of what we will be transporting:

----Fish, Anenomes and Inverts
Two Rose Bubble Tip Anenomes
Two True Sebae Clowns
Two Pajama Cardinals
Swallow Tail (reef safe) Angel
Two Mated Coral Banded Shrimp
Midas Blenny
Three Anthias
Royal Gramma
Two Black Brittle Stars
Green Chromis

----120 Pounds Live Rock

----Coral
Large Devils Hand (Top center of tank)
Large Frog Spawn
Fox Coral
Orange Open Brain
Two Blue Ricordea
Large Green Mushroom Rock
Large Red Mushroom Rock
Star burst Pollup Rock
Colony of Bulls eye Mushrooms
Leather Finger
Fluorescent Green LPS Coral
Large Red Cauliflower Colt Coral
Purple Favites Brain Coral
Platygyra Maze Coral

----Equipment
92 gallon Oceanic Glass Corner Tank
Black Stand and Canopy
Black Rectangular Pendant Fixture with One 400 Watt Metal Halide and
Two 32 Watt PC Actinics
Berlin Red Sea Skimmer in a 15 Gallon Sump
Dual Channel Digital Doser
2 Maxijet 600 Powerheads
2 Maxijet 1200 Powerheads

[Douglas LEHMAN]

Does it have to move on the 26 of March?
I would be happy to take on the job but the 26 th is no good for me!

[bboersma79]

what is good for you, it could be done any other time if you were going to do the whole job. I am not available during the week so you would not be able to help nor would any of my friends.

Other options are this weekend (obviously short notice) or the following weekend (not preferred). What would you charge?

[bboersma79]

Okay, move has been rescheduled to THIS SATURDAY the 19th, early start at 9am...if anyone can lend a hand it would be much appreciated...so far it is myself and Doug and perhaps Rich...

[bboersma79]

Just want to thank Doug and Rich in advance, I am sure it is going to be fun tomorrow!!

[Red Reefet]

I jumped head first into salt (fish in general) by purchasing a complete 55 off of ebay. I bought a new 90 gal tank to move all the contents to. My husband and I did it in 3 hours. We picked it up in Evanston and moved it to Twin Lakes in our Tahoe. I used several 5 gal. jugs to move the water and the rest was put into 18 gal. rubber maids. We kept the live rock pieces with corals submerged and of course the fish were in their own container. We left the sand in the tank itself for the move. The old water was put in with the new in the 90... and the rest is history.

No problems.. except for the fact that we couldn't figure out how start the siphon and neither could any of our neighbors. Thanks to the internet.. we got it going. If 2 people with no fish, much less reef experience can do it.. I'm sure you can. I too almost paid $300 to have someone do it. Good luck.

[mbunaman]

If you need professional people to move tank/livestock I run an Aquarium Maintenance company. You can email me at aquaticdesignsmaintenance@yahoo.com and we can talk. My rates are low compared to local petshops and other serivces.

[bboersma79]

red reefet, thanks, I am sure we will be fine tomorrow and we are just moving it a mile so that should make the move that much easier on everyone!

[bboersma79]

BIG THANKS TO DOUG AND RICH!!!

The tank move went off without a hitch, 7.5 hours time in total...can't feel my legs right now but can't complain...if I move the tank again I will make sure it is to a home with no stairs!

[masson]

What? no pics???

[Racenrich]

Brad,
Everything went smoothly, IMO. that is a very nice setup you got there.
i really dig the corner effect. Cant wait to see it set up with your aquascaping.

Doug, Great meeting you!

See ya at the swap on sat!

Rich K.

Ps brad thanks for lunch and the bonus