Moving/Rebuilding a Reef Tank

[Oscar]

Thanks Catherine.

I have not seen the tank in question yet but there may not be a sump so the plumbing may be minimal.

As far as the tear down and travel goes the following seems to be a common theme:
- prepare new water ahead of time
- tub and water for rocks
- either leave sand and 1 " of water in the tank or dump all of the sand and start again
- cooler(s) for fish and corals
- plastic garbage can with garbage bag for water
- when arriving home aerate and heat both the rocks and fish

But then what are the best steps for putting everything back together? I suspect if I am dumping the sand then getting new sand into the tank is the first step? Then balance the ph, temp and salinity of new water and old?

Then place rocks and coral? Wait a day or two to add fish?

How long can fish and coral be kept in a temporary facility such as a cooler?

Thanks

[michika]

I would say assembled everything, put sand back in the tank, then add all the water you currently have, add in your rocks, then corals and finally fish. After that SLOWLY add in your new water if you need to.

For new water match the SG, and temp. Don't focus too much on the pH, or other parameters. You may be best off trying to use the same salt as the original owner.

I wouldn't advise more then a few hours, and even then with a portable air pump to oxygenate the water. With temporary things like this you are most concerned about temperature and oxygen saturation. I know fish get shipped in plastic bags for much longer, but I like to err on the side of caution.