Saltwater Help?

Question

the people I will listen to already know what tank i have. And what i want to ask is: Is there anything specific I need to do when moving my tank? Unfortunately we are moving about 2 hours away, and I am concerned about my tank. I planned on leaving about an inch or two in the bottom when i take it, to trap the bacteria, and take the rest of the water in 5 gallon buckets. so is there anything else I need to do? thank you all so much. My chromis thank you too

Answer 1

Hi Jonathan,

Some good info here already.

Are you moving soon? If you already have a new place, I'd advise checking the water quality out before the "big day". When I moved, the tap water went from a pH of 8.0-2 to 7.0. This made a big difference in my tank chemistry, especially pH. This really affected some of the things in my tank, but mostly inverts and algae growth. Now I have to use kalkwasser to keep my pH above 8.

If it's similar to what you're using now, you shouldn't have a problem. If not, start doing some slow changes soon. This can include partial water changes with water from the new location (just bring some back as you're moving other stuff). This will get your chromis used to any changes more gradually. Then you won't have to worry about taking 40 gallons of water to the new place all at once, you can have some already ready there (you may need a second heater to keep it close to their correct temperature) you can add and your fish will be acclimated to it by then.

If you live where its cold, see if you can find a medium-large picnic cooler and move your fish in this. I've got a few, picked up from secondhand stores, that I use when I plan a buying trip on cold weather. just clean it out well, rinse, and let dry. You can probably set up your filter and a heater with it as a "temporary tank" while you set the other one up.

If you follow this (depending on time before the move and water conditons), you should only need to take the container with the fish, the tank with the coral and water (good idea to keep it wet, but put a cover on it so it doesn't splash around), and one 5 gallon bucket (or what you need) of water to keep you filter media, live rock, etc. As someone above already pointed out, there's not much in the actual water you need to worry about keeping to transfer all 40 gallons. Since you'll probably be making a few trips back and forth (unless you're getting a van or truck for your move), it would be easier on you to bring water back (when you shouldn't be carrying much anyway), from the new location, rather than hauling all the water you have there (along with everything else you're trying to move).

Hope all goes well!

Answer 2

As you already know, in a saltwater tank there is no FILTER MEDIA to keep wet (other than the sand) so forget that.

As DanielleZ and Copper head mentioned they have your best advice.

I too used buckets. You can as was mentioned install your filter on the bucket with the fish which will keep them until your tank is set up. Remember keeping the temperature isn't nearly as important since salt water fish experience many rapid temperature changes thruout any given day. Get the tank up and running. Check the ph since that will be your biggest issue to start. If it is 7.8 or above you are good to go.

Answer 3

Johnathan,

You don't need to haul all your water. Your tank is 3 months old now. Remove any live rock and put it in your buckets with water to cover them. Your fish in a different bucket with water. WITH lids.

You will want to leave about 2 inches of water in your tank more if you can but 2 inches will work.

I usually use plastic taped tightly to the top of the tank to keep the water from splashing all over and making a mess.

The main concern is to bet your tank up and running when you get there as quickly as possiable.

Since your tank is cycled, once you get to your new home and set up your tank, allow it to come to temperature. Some filters will fit right on a bucket so your fish can still have the skimmer working.

Once the tank comes to temperature, test the water and salinity to be sure they are ok. If you have your filter working on your fish bucket, you can even wait a day or two. Just remember to feed him.

As for the rock, it can go in as soon as the temperature of your tank is up.

Answer 4

I used buckets and coolers to move all mine a couple of years ago. My PH was different so what I did was set up the tanks and used some of the water I already had and put it in the tank. I tested the PH and it still seemed low for what my fish were used to. I used PH up to get to where it should be. Over the next few weeks, I allowed the PH to lower to where it was going to be anyway, around 7.5 7.6 or so. I ended up adding shells to the tank to naturally and slowly bring up the ph and over three weeks I was back up and holding at 8.

Answer 5

Be sure to keep your filter media wet as well and don't seal it up. The bacteria do need oxygen. The more things from the tank you can keep wet the better and watch for temperature shock as you refill the tank. This can kill not only the fish and inverts we keep but the bacteria as well.

Best of luck on the move!

MM