Making my 150g dream tank a reality
- Thread starter Natalie
- Start date
Woot! An update on your Creamsicle. That darker mark on his eye makes him look like he has eye brows 
And I know what you mean about the stepladder. I use a folding bench when I'm working on my tanks.
Just take your time and savor the experience, it's not everyday you get to have your dream tank
And I know what you mean about the stepladder. I use a folding bench when I'm working on my tanks.
Just take your time and savor the experience, it's not everyday you get to have your dream tank
So, I found out this weekend that I am moving in 4 months. 
I knew they'd be transferring me soon but didn't think it would be this soon. I'm debating whether to even do a full setup on this tank in the meantime. For some reason, the idea of moving this tank really stresses me out, much more than my 40g.
The plan was for my con to go to the 40g, and it'll be really easy to move because there's no substrate in his tank, just a piece of driftwood. Plus, I can pick up the tank by myself. The 150g is a whole different story. Does anyone have some reassuring words that this will all be ok? I'll probably have to get a moving company like Two Men and a Truck to help with moving day (which was what I did when I moved down here 5 months ago). They're really good but how do I make sure they transfer an acrylic tank without scratching it up?
I knew they'd be transferring me soon but didn't think it would be this soon. I'm debating whether to even do a full setup on this tank in the meantime. For some reason, the idea of moving this tank really stresses me out, much more than my 40g. The plan was for my con to go to the 40g, and it'll be really easy to move because there's no substrate in his tank, just a piece of driftwood. Plus, I can pick up the tank by myself. The 150g is a whole different story. Does anyone have some reassuring words that this will all be ok? I'll probably have to get a moving company like Two Men and a Truck to help with moving day (which was what I did when I moved down here 5 months ago). They're really good but how do I make sure they transfer an acrylic tank without scratching it up?
As Younglin said, lots of furniture blankets and strong tape. It's not to big and heavy empty so they shouldn't have a problem moving it. I'm sorry to hear that you have to move, I know I hate moving my big tanks and they are all made of glass.
I think the hardest part of moving an aquarium is setting up something for the fish to be in while you move their home. Since you are lucky in the fact that you don't overstock your tanks, you shouldn't have to much trouble with the move. Maybe a big Rubbermaid tote and a good sized critter keeper so you can have both the midas and convict in the same container (convict in the critter keeper of course). If you do plan on setting up the tank before the move, I would suggest you don't put any gravel in the tank until after the move. Gravel or sand adds lots of extra weight quickly that can shift around you are carrying the tank.
How far are you moving away? Depending on the distance and time it would take to move stuff, you might be better off setting up a temp tank at the new place and move the fish, heater and filters before you have the movers move the tank. It would be one less thing to worry about on moving day.
I think the hardest part of moving an aquarium is setting up something for the fish to be in while you move their home. Since you are lucky in the fact that you don't overstock your tanks, you shouldn't have to much trouble with the move. Maybe a big Rubbermaid tote and a good sized critter keeper so you can have both the midas and convict in the same container (convict in the critter keeper of course). If you do plan on setting up the tank before the move, I would suggest you don't put any gravel in the tank until after the move. Gravel or sand adds lots of extra weight quickly that can shift around you are carrying the tank.
How far are you moving away? Depending on the distance and time it would take to move stuff, you might be better off setting up a temp tank at the new place and move the fish, heater and filters before you have the movers move the tank. It would be one less thing to worry about on moving day.
RedDwarf;4684015; said:
Thanks for the suggestions about the blanket. I'll definitely use that idea.
I'm moving 2.5 hours away, not too bad but enough that I might need to plan a temporary setup for the fish. At the moment I'm considering keeping the midas and con in their 40g and 29g tanks until the move. I'll work on the 150g background, light installation, etc. but probably keep it empty until the move. I think it'll just be a lot easier that way, without having to drain it, maintain BB in the huge canister, etc etc. I'm really not in a huge hurry to set it up, especially since I know I have to dismantle it so soon. I'd rather take the time to do it exactly as I want it when I know I don't have to mess with it.
Natalie;4684151; said:
2.5 hours isn't so far you can't make a quick trip back and forth. Honestly, if it were me, I would leave the fish where they are, once you have your new place locked in, move the tank to the new place and set it up. Get it it running including the large Eheim canister you bought to make me jealous
but without any media. Add the media you got for it in a mesh bag and put it in the tank the midas is in now. Replace all mechanical media in the current tank (that will remove some BB) adding the media for the new canister into the tank during the mini-cycle will establish a small bacterial colony on the new media. Then move to the new place, add the media to your Eheim, add you old media in the mesh bag and enjoy a mini-cycle instead of a fish loss. I just moved all of my stock 7 times without a single loss. Or buy a sponge filter, add it now, use it during the move and use it to seed the new tank.
Yeah, I tend to think leaving it dry until after the move is the best bet.
Bummer though, I was hoping to see more progress, this thread motivates me to get my 135 going. But alas, I am broke
You will probably still get yours set up before me!
Bummer though, I was hoping to see more progress, this thread motivates me to get my 135 going. But alas, I am broke
You will probably still get yours set up before me!
