Best way to move tank to a new location?

I have a 29g saltwater fish tank with 4 fish, a cleaner shrimp, 2 turbo snails, some blue legged crabs, a few peices of coral, and some live rock. I am leavin my apartment and moving about 8 hours away. What is the safest and best way to transfer my tank to my new location?

 

You may try to break everything down and put everything in 5 gal buckets with battery operated air pumps. i would think that you would need to get rid of the sand and put in fresh since stirring that up would probably cause a cycle or at least a problem. Im sure that there are others with more experience than me. Good luck!!

 

WOW 8 hours away is going to make it difficult. I agree with dienerman. I've moved a couple of times and that really is the only way to do it. Plan to have your fish and corals in their moving containers longer than you plan. So plan to have enough heaters pumps and air stones. These are easy to sell afterwards

J

 

Agree with all that has been said. Since you will be having to keep the fish and corals in a container for such a long period you may want to use a rubbermaid container. They come in all shapes and sizes. This will also allow you to put everything in one place and eliminate the need for more then one heater or airsupply. I would remove most of the water into the container (the easiest way to do this is put the container in the vehicle you are using then add water with a smaller bucket).Remove all the rocks and coral. Makes sure it is not stacked in the container to avoid avalanches during the drive. Then catch your fish/inverts and add them as well as a heater(if needed)And air supply. There are two ways to keep air in the container. You can A. Purchase a power converter for your vehicle and use your existing PH or pump. You could also power your heater with this.
B.Purchase a battery operated air pump.
If a heater is needed you may want to go with A. I would just get rid of the sand and use new for your setup.Good luck!!

 

Thanks for the advice! What if I left a little water in my tank so my sand stayed wet, would I still need to change the sand?

 

I was going to suggest just that, covering rocks layed out flatter on the substrate, etc.

I was also going to suggest that 8 hrs isn't all that long, if they are in enough water that gets agitated on the way.

A heater? Where you going? You need to heat it too? This time of year in the southern Us, I'd also think they'd be OK.

I once moved a 30 FW w/ cichlids water, rocks and all from TX to AZ, and about 4 Yrears later, back again! over 2-3 days each trop , no air pumps, no heaters, etc.
I took the water level down to about a third and moved it by hand.

It worked for me.

 

Unfortunately your sand is where a ton of nitrite and ammonia and detritus is trapped. it's the cheapest thing to replace and it's so worth it.
I did exactly what you suggest, left enough water in the tank to keep the sand wet. Moved less than 1 mile and reset up the tank. Left the fish out of the tank but put in my corals. Next day 100% fatality of all my SPS.

So there really is only 1 piece of advise I really stress Replace your sand

 

+1 Did I miss the part were you said you were in the Southern,U.S.?
Also FW Cichlids and SW fish and corals are apples to oranges.IMO

 

I am currently in Memphis moving to Ky. I was afraid if I replaced the sand it will restart my cycling. I have a Rubbermaid container, so I will probably put my fish, coral and tank water in there with some type of portable PH. Then put my life rock into 5g buckets with tank water. As far as my sand goes, I guess throw it out and by new live
Sand. Does this sound OK?

Also, once I make it to my new place, should I acclimate the fish and coral again or just put them all in at once?

 

You def. Need to acclimate the fish you should even give it some time to settle. Honestly getting new sand isn't needed but probably recommended. Once everything settles and you do some water changes and add some nite-out (which is what I use for nitrates) I think it'll be fine.