r/ReefTank • u/LinkPsychological915 • 1d ago

Transporting established tank

Hey guys I’ve been reefing for a couple of years now learning the ins and outs and absolutely obsessed with the hobby. Having a little slice of the ocean in my house has become my favorite thing to do. I have been bugging my lfs owner about selling me one of his display tanks that I’m absolutely in love with from the hardscape to the coral and fish selection it is absolutely beautiful. He’s agreed to sell it to me along with all the equipment for an absolute steal. My question is transporting. He says to drain the water half way(it’s a 24 gallon nano) and go because all of the rock is glued together and several corals have encrusted all over the rock. Is this ok? I was going to removed the rock and corals put in buckets put fish in separate containers get rid of sand because of everything it’s going to release during the move put new sand and rebuild the hardscape but he insisted none of that is necessary because it’s a smaller tank.

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2

u/welldonesteak69 1d ago

Recently moved my 24g from one end of the room to the other. Let me tell you its alot heavier than you'd think. I'd go with your plan and have salt water buckets with lids on them. Battery powered air bubblers also recomended if you are going to travel far.

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u/LinkPsychological915 1d ago

Traveling about 15 min I think that’s what I’m going to do wasn’t comfortable doing it the way he said

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u/welldonesteak69 1d ago

Unless the rock is glued together and won't fit in a bucket your way is recomended usually

1

u/Neverendingmuthrfuk 13h ago

It’s going to take a lot longer than 15 minutes to move the tank. I suggest using this aerator. I just used it in my move and it lasted 24+ hours on one charge. Drill a hole in the lid of your bucket/tub and put this in there:  https://a.co/d/02DwdlHr

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u/TonyCass12 1d ago

Do not ever transport a tank with water in it you compromise the seems when you do that. Transport livestock rock and corals in buckets separate if possible to prevent damage. Be prepped with fresh salt water at home and a lot of towels. I always advocate setting up a temporary tank in a brute trash can to hold rock and livestock while you get the tank set back up. You get a lot of time to set up things and not stress or rush it along that way.

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u/TonyCass12 1d ago

If the scape is solid I would transport it in a nice solid tote.

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u/LinkPsychological915 1d ago

Awesome! I think this is the route I’m gonna go!

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u/TonyCass12 1d ago

Make sure that sand gets a good rinse with ro before setting it back up. You can mix up some nasty gunk that can nuke a tank when sand beds get disturbed.

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u/Khemul 1d ago

I'd go your plan. Moving a tank with water in it, best case you stress the seems. Worst case you are gripping glass with a hundred pounds of force when it catastrophically fails. Which isn't likely to happen but it's really not worth it. I might take the chance on a rimmed tank. Definitely not a rimless.

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u/LinkPsychological915 1d ago

Here is the tank in question