[Archer913]

Hello all, I may be moving to Tennessee and need to know the best way to move my LR/LS. I was thinking rubbermaid tubs topped off with tank water and a battery operated air pump. Would this tide everything over for 20 hours or so?? I would just sell it but I paid alot for it and everything is covered in purple and red coraline and also have some unique pieces. Plus I was just down in TN over the weekend an couldn't find a LFS that dealt in saltwater/marine livestock in the area. I can replace the fish and I really don't have that many corals but the rock is awesome and just filled with creepy crawlies and crabs and such I don't really want to part with it. Any advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Don't Do That

Moving LR Yes Moving LS NO!!

Do not ever move a sand bed once its been up for atleast 3 months. You can read this in several places. In doing so not only do you set yourself up for problems but you will most likely will encounter some sort of ailment that is not commonly seen.

I helped a buddy of mine move from a 120 to a 180 and moved the Sand Bed with it along with adding new and within a week he had RTN which wiped out oh I'd say about 1000 dollars of Nice primo SPS.

You can do it at your own risk but for what sand cost .. 8 bucks a bag or so I would Highly recommend to not do it. JMO HTH

 

[canisson]

I agree with Tanker. You could probably remove about 1" of the top of the sandbed for the worms and bacteria that live in the topmost layers. The lower levels, (anoxic...I think???) are oxygen poor, and host some very destructive organisms that a few different members here have had the unfortunate displeasure of dealing with their after-effects. RTN has/can wipe out an entire tank in a matter of hours....DON'T RISK IT!!! Keep the rock, your ideas with the tubs should work just fine. Scoop a bit of the top of your sand, transport it the same way, and re-seed some new sand that you buy here and bring with you, or buy new sand down there. I think this way, you should be just fine.

Besides, what's a few extra dollars for some new sand, as opposed to hundreds for new corals?!?!

Good luck!

 

[Mike]

I moved an entire sand bed like that and nuked my tank! take the first inch and leave the rest alone

 

[Archer913]

Thanks for the help guys..... The sand wasn't really a big concern of mine anyways. the rock was the biggest. Thanks again

 

[greenb]

Agree on the Live Sand. As for the live rock, what your thinking should work with out a problem. Actually I don't think you really need the airpump all that much. If you leave a good bit of air at the top of the container all the sloshing around should keep the water aerated enough.

 

[sean]

The rock should be just fine, if a couple of things die off no biggie, they can grow right back. Im also moving to nc next month, and im going to attempt to move everything! Fish and the coral too. Im still trying to think of a safe way to move it, but since i recently just downsized from my 180 to my 75 im feeling a little more confident. That i will have less casualities. Partly because the sand bed is a little shorter now 1 to 2 inches, its probably no longer holding large amounts of bacteria. Since my sand bed is only 1 month old. Only if you have a dsb i would be worrying.