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Tank move questions

fatoldsun

NJRC Member
I'm faced with a dilemma. My wife and I may have the opportunity to move literally across the street. The idea is that we could sell our house which is done and buy something larger that needs a lot of cosmetic work for less. The question is what to do with my tank. I really am just finally getting stuff to do well so the timing sucks but this has been our MO. Buy a house that needs work, do it over 4-5 years and roll it into something with potential to be better. Back to the tank, not sure I want to move it because I'd like to have a few months or even a year to decide where to put it and what I'd want. Not to mention I could finally do a basement setup with the natural light and bump up to maybe a "built in" 150 or so. So what is the best option? My thoughts are:
A. Move it in a day if I can muster enough help and get a few days between closings - with a plan to relocate it or break it down for an upgrade a few months later
B. break it down and sell off with a plan to start from scratch in a year or two
C. Set up a "nano" of sorts to house a few things in a lower maintenance setup on a temporary basis - just not sure which things would do well in there. I would have to re-home the tangs and the GSMC at a minimum. Probably the mandarin - not sure I could maintain a sufficient pod population. If I do this , the lifeboat method, what's my best option?
 

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Dave, are you emotionally attached to anything you have in the tank now?

If not, I'd say best option is to break it all down and sell it all. Then take all your experience to plan out and rebuild a bigger better system from scratch. You can also take your time and do it right if there's nothing in temporary holding to worry about.

If there is anything you'll want to save then you will have to move your tank over and/or setup a smaller temp tank... or just leave the keepers with someone else until you're ready.

I personally think it's easier to move in one day than having a double move scenario. Moving livestock into a smaller tank or moving them often can cause stress on them.
 

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Another potential option is to pick up a stock tank (150 – 200 gallons) and throw it were ever…..in the basement of the new house, as an example. Move all the rock and fish as quickly as possible and temporarily hang a light, put in a heater, and a couple powerheads.

Now take your time to knock down the tank and move that out. Now you can take your time to set it up or replace it with a new tank.

And as I type this I’m now realizing you’ll have an entire house to move as well……so now I leaning more towards what George says above. You’re going to have your hands filled just moving the house. That is, unless you have a month or more to make the move. Hopefully Brian (Fish Brain), will chime in…..he just did this a few months ago.
 

howze01

NJRC Member
I just helped my roommate Cj break down and move his tank when he moved a couple moths ago. It was a long weekend of work and we had a 75g tank set up at the new house where everything was stored while we tore down and rebuilt the tank. He changed it quite a bit and I have to say the tank is doing better than it ever has. He took out probably half his rock in favor of a much more open layout. My advice would be to do as George says and sell it all and use all your new knowledge to build it better. Having said that, it is very possible to break it down and start it again the same day with some planning.
 

fatoldsun

NJRC Member
Thanks for the input guys. I'm just so torn. I think I'll break it down but I have to wait until the house deal is more certain. Right now it's 60%. At 90-95% I'll pull the trigger and start breaking it down
 
I have a 150 Rubbermaid stock tank if you need to borrow it for a few weeks to make your move easier just shoot me a pm
 
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