si_sphinx Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 I have just listed my house to sell. I will be moving from the bottom of the South Island (Invercargill) to the Top of the South Island (Nelson bays area) My tank is 2m x .6 x .6 (700 odd ltrs) + 1200 x 400 x 400 (100 odd ltrs) sump + heavy timber furniture stand and all equipment. Tank is full of rock, corals and fish. (those who have seen my tank thread will know what it looks like). 17 fish, 3 shrimp, starfish, snails, 60-70kgs of rock (dry), a heap of corals. DSB also. I have absolutely no idea how I am going to break it down and move it. I would think it would be easier to have something setup in Nelson a week before I move the stuff up there but I don't have anything to use for this or even a place to move to just yet. And I don't know how much time I will have to move when my house sells. I could possibly start moving everything as soon as I have something sorted in Nelson as my partner will be going up in a few weeks to her new job and will hopefully have a rental house within the next month. Also I would need a lot of fresh salt water spare for any reason. and some way of keeping everything warm for the 14 or so hour drive. I would need some sort of big container to store everything in for the trip up there? I only have 2 medium poly boxes. I don't know of anyone down here with marine tank experience to help out. Anyone who has moved this volume of water / size tank before, how did you do it? Keeping in mind this has to be moved quite a distance. What would be the best plan of attack? i.e. order of process. Anyone able to offer some help? What other things do I need to think about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raeh1 Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 yeah have something basic set-up in nelson then move the stock up. It will give you a couple of days to setup the beast. The other thing is ammonia guard by seachem is your moving friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 I dont really believe in adding chems to my tank to remove things. I usually just add extra carbon to my filtration and do water changes. But I will look into it. The main thing I don't want to happen is lose any fish. I would rather the fish survive than if I lose the odd coral or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellydave Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 is it possible to set something basic up in nelson and fly the fish and coral up then bring everything else up with you for the 14hr drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 What would it cost to fly them up there? 200+ litres of water + rock weight would be expensive to fly up wouldn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellydave Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 i was more thinking put them in poly boxs and you and the misses could have that as your carry on? not sure what flights are worth from invegas - nelson but i also didnt think of the weight of the water and such could end up costing a fair bit but the up side would be it would only take like a hour to get there instead of the 14 hour drive and would probably be a more comfortable ride? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellydave Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 or if you know anyone with a pilots licence just hire a small plane lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Haha I would fly a plane if I had one. With the amount of stuff I have I would have to do move than 10 trips to get all there with carry on poly boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 I know nothing about corals but I do know they had to get here from overseas in the first place, meaning a flight of at least 8hrs. If I were in your situation, I'd get my hands on as many poly boxes as possible and keep 2-3 fish per bag with heat packs. If you could get your hands on some O2 that would help too. Then take them up to your temporary tank in your new place (or a nearby friends place or a willing pet store) and settle them in ASAP. Fish can survive extended transit if treated well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 hire a van, cut top off 1,000 litre container put in the back or on trailer cut plastic sheet up to resemble giant eggcrate 1/2 fill with tank water this will act as a baffle as well place rocks and corals in tight so they don't roll around set up heaters and flow pumps ready to plug in when you get there add fish in seperate compartment avoid big bumps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddle69 Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 or just dont move away lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Can't really do more than one fish Peru bag unless I get some big bags. I think a heap of poly boxes are the way to go and my 1000ltr IBC to take water. I'll just chuck the base rock in there and try protect the corals as best I can. If I don't leave invers now then I never will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redracer77 Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 I can give you a hand at this end, I have some marine experience. I have had corals and fish for almost 24hrs in poly boxes. driving with them in a van and having a temp tank for them setup beforehand would be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 I can give you a hand at this end, I have some marine experience. I have had corals and fish for almost 24hrs in poly boxes. driving with them in a van and having a temp tank for them setup beforehand would be the way to go. Cool, thanks redracer. I will be contact with you closer to the time. I think I am going to need a hand. Takes a long time by yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Can help with the manual lifting side of things when you are here, I wouldn't know where to start as far as helping with the fish and corals go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insectile Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Can help with the manual lifting side of things when you are here, I wouldn't know where to start as far as helping with the fish and corals go :iag: I am also keen to help when you do get here but like cam have little knowledge in the field of marines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Thanks guys. I think I am going to have to find something to set up temporarily in nelson a week before I go up there so I have something to put half my rock in and then the corals and fish will follow a week later. So if anyone knows of any biggish tanks or a few small 200-300ltr tanks that I could buy or borrow for a while until I can get my display tank up and running, let me know or keep an eye out. Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 I have figured out what I am going to do. I will buy some temporary tanks to set up a week before I touch the tank. 1 - week 1, set up new tank or tanks in Nelson. Make sure I have plenty of spare water. + RODI water and salt if needed. 2 - week 2, take up base rock and rinsed sand in containers covered in drenched towels and newspaper to lessen the water I have to take from the main tank. 3 - week 3, take up the rest of the rock with corals and fish in poly boxes. (plenty of people to help tag and bag) 4 - week 4 or 5, movers will bring up the tank,stand and the rest of my house furniture. 5 - week 6, set up Display tank. 6 - week 7, transfer base rock and sand. 7 - week 8, transfer fish and corals. 8 - week 8-10, watch every fish very carefully for signs of stress or unhealthiness. My acclimation for fish, inverts and corals is always drip acclimation. (keeping water warm with warm bags of water). Fish 2-3 hours (4 hrs,depending on salinity of their water). Inverts 2-3 hours (including clams and starfish). Corals 1-2 hours. Anything I should write down or add in my process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finznfangs Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Can help with the manual lifting side of things when you are here, I wouldn't know where to start as far as helping with the fish and corals go I can also help with lifting etc. Thats a BIG tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Yes it is very heavy. When the tank is empty and on the stand it is almost impossible to move it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raeh1 Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 I know you dont want to add anything but seachem ammonia guard on hand will save a crash or at least buy you time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.Eagle Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 i could help buy watching and drinking from the sidelines? offering advice like bend ya knees cam, dont lift with ya back... :rolfl: :digH: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 i could help buy watching and drinking from the sidelines? offering advice like bend ya knees cam, dont lift with ya back... :rolfl: :digH: Buying the drinks is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 i could help buy watching and drinking from the sidelines? offering advice like bend ya knees cam, dont lift with ya back... :rolfl: :digH: But lifting with your groin and your back with a jerking twisting motion is the way that Peter Griffin taught me :smot: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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