We are moving into a new house this weekend and I need to move my tank (55gallon) The LR would only be out of the water for at most 1 hour..would it be OK to wrap it in wet paper or towels? I cant afford to cycle the tank again but I dont know what else to do...I am able to take about 30 to 40 gallons of the water that is in the tank. What would the best/easiest way to transport the rock be? For livestock I only have a branching frogspawn, GBTA and a sand-sifting goby.
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Moving LR...how to stop dieoff?
- Thread starter Embowe
- Start date
If at all possible have new water(at least half of total volume of tank) waiting for you at the new house, wrap the rock in tank watered white paper towels, I don't like using newspaper due to the ink. If they will only be exposed for an hour or two you shouldn't run into any cycle problems. If you have a sandbed disturbing it could be more of a factor releasing toxins back in your tank.
You can also use beach towels soaked in your tank water. I've kept LiveRock out for well over an hour and didn't have an issue either.
If you can move the rock in 5 gallon (or larger) buckets filled with tank water. That's the best method bar none. Second to that is NapoliNewJersey idea of wrapping the rock in SW soaked towels. I'd avoid newspapers due to the chemical and mess it makes.
If you have a sand bed I'd probably chuck it and start over as moving a sand bed will contribute more to a cycle then the rock will. I myself would dose a bottle of bacteria per directions (either Bio Spira or Seachem Prime) to help with any ammonia/nitrite issues.
After moving check the water every couple of days for nitrates but especially ammonia & nitrites. If either of these two rise a bit counter with water changes.
If you keep an eye on those two parameters you should be in decent shape.
Carlo
PS if there is any sponges growing on the rock just rip it off before putting it back in the tank. Most likely any sponges will die and decay from being exposed to air even briefly. Not worth the aggravation so just remove them if present.
If you have a sand bed I'd probably chuck it and start over as moving a sand bed will contribute more to a cycle then the rock will. I myself would dose a bottle of bacteria per directions (either Bio Spira or Seachem Prime) to help with any ammonia/nitrite issues.
After moving check the water every couple of days for nitrates but especially ammonia & nitrites. If either of these two rise a bit counter with water changes.
If you keep an eye on those two parameters you should be in decent shape.
Carlo
PS if there is any sponges growing on the rock just rip it off before putting it back in the tank. Most likely any sponges will die and decay from being exposed to air even briefly. Not worth the aggravation so just remove them if present.