Details of the "low tide method" of tank moving?
 

I've read a few accounts on here of some reefers moving their tanks with sand, rock and a little water still in.

I think it was described as the "low tide simulation" method of moving :)

I have a 90g that I need to move (maybe even this wknd) and this sounds like the way to go. My sand bed is about 2-3 inches, so I guess that would leave about 5 inches of water in the tank, plus the sand and most of the rock. I am guessing that would be manageable by four people?

i was thinking that I would cut some plywood and slip it under, making some sort of lip around the base of the tank so that is doesn't slip of the ply.

I would take the fish out into 20g rubbermaids (two needed I would think). Save all the rest of the water in buckets. Probably move the anemones and corals high up on rocks into rubbermaids, etc.

Any other tank moving tips greatly appreciated.

A 90 with 5 inches of water, a sand bed, and LR... likely weighs a bit more than 500 pounds. Add the effect of sloshing and weight transfer, and any one guy could wind up holding 200lbs or more. I wouldn't mind a short lift, down to a cart or moving blanket, but I wouldn't carry it far that way, unless you've got three very fit friends, with strong backs.

Agree
 

Got agree moving that sounds like instant back problems ;)
Levi

Low Tide moving is ussually researved for smaller tanks. What your thinking of doing will put a lot of stress on the tank and your friends. I have moved a 33g this way but ALL the rock was removed and as much water as possible then when I got it to the vehicle I added water just to cover the sand. No way would I attempt this with even a 75g. And I would be surprised if what you want to do is less than 700lbs. A couple of rubbermaids....less than $30, a wiped out back is forever. A shattered tank.........just not worth the risk.

Scott

dont do it a person that i know moved a 230 gal tank with a bit of sand and water in it they just slid it across the floor well when they filled it back up he had 230 gal on his floor..I think its because there was a slight bend in the tank from moving it with water in it and when it was filled back up it exploded

I had a 33G tank crack a few months ago because I thought moving it with sand in it would be ok. The bottom cracked right away. It wasn't even that heavy...maybe about 150lbs. Don't risk it. How old is the sand bed? This might be a great time to replace a deep sand bed if its a few years old anyways.

I would put everything in tubs, garbage cans and anything else that holds water then move it. I wouldn't put anything in the tanks while moving it.

I once helped move a 90 with the sand and live rock in it. We had to move it up a flight of stairs with a 90 degree turn it. That was a pain in the back! Took 4 guys to move it. This was before I knew anything about salt water tanks (actually it was that tank that got me hooked) and would never move a tank with the rock or sand in it again.

take the time to empty the tank and then move it start early cause it'll probally take you a whole day to do the transaction...
I would not run the chance of moving the tank with dsb like others here have said it's dangerous and backbreaking, with the extra 2hrs you spend ripping it down could save you hundreds in headaches and backaches jm2c.

Chris

Thanks for the wise words everyone.

I was having a tough time picturing how that would work, but was going from a memory of a thread I read, etc.

Luckily it has become less urgent to move this tank, so i can wait and plan to do it properly.

I once used the low tide method to move a 54 gallon tank across the room. I thought it would be safe to do because I could move it on the stand so wouldn't stress the tank. The tank was okay but the stand was wobbly from then on.

In hindsight I should have drained the tank completely

Moving tanks is a pain but I agree with everyone else, BUT I'd say buy another tank and set it up where you need it to be, allow a couple days for the water to mix properly and then move rock etc... Sure you have to find something to do with the old tank but, that's never a real problem is it??

Doug

That would probably be my thread. I did this with a 75g tank, but no sand and only about an inch of water. 3 inches of sand and 5 more of water would be too much to manage safely. I would consider it with no water, just the sand, but that might still be too heavy.

Mine was a 48"x18", 75 pounds of rock, lots of coral and about 1 inch of water. I've done it twice without issue. A 90 is only taller, so a bit more glass but otherwise the same size.
Overall the entire move has to be considered for stairs, corners, etc. Mine were easy, so 2 - 4 people managed it fine. The tank has t ostay level the whole trip, and don't extend it much more than 30 minutes.
If you have time and lots of rubbermaid tubs, that way works too. :)

Yes, my fuzzy memory thinks it was your thread, Brad. Did you not also leave some fish in there in the little bit of water while you were moving it?

Brave man :)

I got some breathing room on the move date so I can order up the new tank, have it in place and move at my leisure.


Morphing this thread now, but anyways...

Has anyone ordered a custom tank from SeaStar in Victoria?

They say they can make *whatever I can imagine* but I have not ever seen their custom work, and I have not read anyone describing the work they have done. On the other hand, Concepts Aquarium out of Edmonton has lots of pictures and praise on their website, so I am leaning towards them for the to make the tank (54x28x28 Starfire on three sides).

Obviously, it would be nice to not have to pay the $$$ shipping and crating fee from Edmonton, but it works out to about the same price if you can believe it.

With Concept Aquarium, though, I am not going through any retailer, whereas SeaStar does not want to deal with the public so that quote was via a local retailer.

In redux, if I knew SeaStar would produce the same quality custom tank that Concepts would, I would definitely buy it from them, happy to pay the local retailer their markup instead of giving those hundreds of dollars to a shipping company.

My tank is a custom from Seastar that I bought through OA. The dimensions are listed in my sig but the "custom" part is an external overflow "Herbie" style overflow with dual 1.5" bottom drains.

Seastars aren't the prettiest tanks around since they use rather thick plastic black trim all around, but my tank is literally "built like a tank" with generous use of black silicone. One possible downside is that they put in a beefy glass center brace on top which would cut down on a lot of light if you used 3 MH over the tank. I just went with 2 pendants + supplemental light and no one's the wiser.

I suppose a rimless euro-braced starphire tank with ground and bevelled edges would look nicer, but that would certainly add to the cost by quite a bit.