Pat wrote:

Another forum recommended that I move it with just the sand in it, and
enough water to cover said sand. I was able to do that with no problem.

I've done this twice with no problems.

Also, what is the purpose of keeping the original water. I was able to
transport about half of the water and replaced about half when I got
here. But it seems that it's just like any other water change. I was
under the impression that most of the bacteria that is needed is in the
rock/sand/other filtration, very little of it in the water.

You're correct, that's where the bacteria live.

The last time we moved my 125, I took about 10 gallons of the old water. We
mixed up new from tap water and dumped it right into the tank. All the livestock
spent a week in another tank at my LFS. I had no corals. There was no new cycle.
The move was about 25 miles, and I arranged everything except the truck through
my LFS (including my helpers).

George Patterson
Those who do not study History are doomed to repeat it. Those who DO
study History are doomed to watch every one else repeat it.