Moving a reef tank...

[fishbait]

Thanks guys! We went to see the tank today and it looks great, so we'll be putting your tips to use shortly!

One other question though: if we have some live rock in the sump, how important is it to have a light running down there? Does LR need a solid dose of light each day, or can it live in the dark?

[marie]

Live rock doesn't need light you will just get sponges and things growing on it instead of algae

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Without light, the coraline algae & any polyps & such will die out.

[Myanth]

Having some liverock in the dark is good as there are strains of very good de-nitrifying bacteria that grow in the dark. I don't have any myself becuase I like to see it.

As far as the sand bed goes, I would agree strongly with washing it. Drain all the water from the tank that you want to keep and then start moving stuff. Even a rock lifted out of the sand can release some gross stuff that can cloud the water in a hurry.

I would recommend transporting the liverock in water at a constant temperature as you never know what is living inside of it. I found a couple of emerald crabs and a porcelain that didn't make the trip after I moved some rock in a cooler with damp newspaper. It can be transported damp but you will always have some die off and the resulting ammonia increase.

Good luck.

[Raf]

We move reef tanks frequently, are most valuable tools are those 20gallon plastic trash cans with lids, that way you can place some of your rock in there with water, or all your fish, or your corals, whatever.....you can even place the trash cans in your truck and pump the water out of the aquarium directly to your truck bins and then back ouit when you get to your destination. Coolers come useful as well.

good luck, it will take a good part of your day to move and set-up.

[Oscar]

Fishbait:

How did your move go? Any issues or insight to pass along?