suggestions/tips for moving MFK style

[dleomd]

Hi all, I'm interested to hear your experiences in moving long distances with monster fish & monster tanks. Some questions I'm dealing with:

1. To move my 150 across town I'd just throw it in my pickup. To move it across country.......? Should I build a plywood box for it to protect it during its time in the moving truck? Heavy enough already and I'm worried about the added weight. Otherwise, how do I keep it safe and scratch free?

2. Less worried about moving the fish. Will sell/give away all non-essentials. Moved before with styro fish shipping boxes. Added O2 tab and did water changes with bottled water in various walmart parking lots. fish did fine. I am concerned however with how to group them in the bags. Have 3 pikes and 2 JD's. Can I put them together?

3. any tips for what to do with plants? particularly plants that grow from bulbs? If I uproot the bulbs will they be ruined?

4. Should I bother bringing tank water with me? I plan to keep most of the substrate in buckets, damp, and just use new water. What are your thoughts?

5. Any point to keeping old filter media?

Thanks in advance for your sharing your experience!

 

[coeus]

how far are you moving, how long is the trip going to take, and how long is it going to take to get the tank set up once you get there?

 

[Retuks]

a trip is a trip, i say if its going to take over a day, use the same method as all shipping services do. in the boxes with battery OP. sponge filters.

as for your tank. strap it down 3 belts across and 2 belts end to end. don't use cords or anything flexible (stretchy) since your tank might still slide out nomatter how tightly wound.. (happened to me plenty of times). id use boxes wedged between the corners of your truck bed to keep it from moving left and right. and put cardboard underneath it to absorb any impact from bouncing.

 

[dleomd]

Thanks for the replies!

how far are you moving, how long is the trip going to take, and how long is it going to take to get the tank set up once you get there?

Going from Texas to NY. Hopefully drive shouldn't take more than 3 days; 2 if I'm alone. Hard to say how long before tank can get set up but certainly will be first priority. Even if I have to set up a temporary situation.

a trip is a trip, i say if its going to take over a day, use the same method as all shipping services do. in the boxes with battery OP. sponge filters.

as for your tank. strap it down 3 belts across and 2 belts end to end. don't use cords or anything flexible (stretchy) since your tank might still slide out nomatter how tightly wound.. (happened to me plenty of times). id use boxes wedged between the corners of your truck bed to keep it from moving left and right. and put cardboard underneath it to absorb any impact from bouncing.

Planning to wrap it with plastic wrap and then blankets. Any concerns there?

 

[swede]

wrap the tank in a couple comforters or egg foam. it will help cushion the tank and prevent scratching

 

[dleomd]

wrap the tank in a couple comforters or egg foam. it will help cushion the tank and prevent scratching

Thanks!

 

[Retuks]

Thanks for the replies!

Planning to wrap it with plastic wrap and then blankets. Any concerns there?

well that will make sure the tank doesn't get scratched or fall apart, if u put blankets underneath it will prevent some shock but not as good as cardboard will since blankets take shape of your truckbed while cardboard remains stiff and gives way only a little.

the stuff i told you is to secure the stuff from sliding around in your truck and busting the tank open or falling over. so they are both important aspects. tank cosmetics and how securely fastened it is to your truck.

 

[dleomd]

Anyone else care to comment?

 

[yogurt_21]

Edit: i'm assuming you're getting a large truck from uhaul, penske etc.?
hire movers to load the truck, shouldn't cost more than 200$ and will likely save your back and your items.

you shouldn't need movers to unload it at your destination but it's always helpful as well.

 

[paopanlilio]

get another 150 g tank or bigger for the new place
by getting another tank you can move the smaller pieces one by one
one by one
then you can either keep botn tanks or sell the old one

and good part is you'll get two tanks or a bigger at the end