Moving a Reef Tank

* Pat wrote, On 11/13/2006 7:56 PM:

Cindy wrote:
Your fish are used to whatever the chemistry of their water is. It
makes it easier on them if they don't get a 100% water change as well
as being caught and put in bags and sloshed around.

But a 50% water change is not completely out of the realm. I mean I
obviously had some of the water. turned out to be about half. Mine
lived too, glad yours did. I only post on this topic because of the
immense pain it was to sort out something as simple as moving a tank.

Isn't that the truth.
I have a 150-gal. tank that I haven't set up for 10 years because I keep having
to move, don't know when it's going to end and I don't want to have to deal with
moving it.
I figure every little bit helps to lessen the stress on the critters, so do
everything you can even to hauling that old water along.

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.

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

So if I culture a swab of my aquarium water I won't find any bacteria
growth?

"bo0ger1" .@. wrote in message m...
You're correct, that's where the bacteria live.

So if I culture a swab of my aquarium water
I won't find any bacteria growth?

Nobody is saying there is no bacteria in water.
She just said "that most of the bacteria that is needed
is in the rock/sand/other filtration, very little of it
in the water" - and this is true: most of the bacteria
stick to the surfaces and only small number floats in water.

Why do you think biological filters are designed to maximize
the active SURFACE if you would do equally good with just water ?

Nobody is saying there is no bacteria in water.

Ok expert. What percentage can be found in the water. Don't give me an
answer that is semi-quantitative. I want an actual figure.

Appreciate the comment, but next time refer to me as he

Pszemol wrote:
"bo0ger1" .@. wrote in message
m...

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


So if I culture a swab of my aquarium water
I won't find any bacteria growth?


Nobody is saying there is no bacteria in water.
She just said "that most of the bacteria that is needed
is in the rock/sand/other filtration, very little of it
in the water" - and this is true: most of the bacteria
stick to the surfaces and only small number floats in water.

Why do you think biological filters are designed to maximize
the active SURFACE if you would do equally good with just water ?

"bo0ger1" .@. wrote in message ...
Nobody is saying there is no bacteria in water.

Ok expert. What percentage can be found in the water. Don't give me an
answer that is semi-quantitative. I want an actual figure.

5% or less :-)

"Pat" wrote in message ...
Appreciate the comment, but next time refer to me as he

it is not Patricia ? ;-)

nope, Patrick

Pszemol wrote:
"Pat" wrote in message
...

Appreciate the comment, but next time refer to me as he


it is not Patricia ? ;-)

LOL Man your an idiot.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



bo0ger1 wrote on 11/13/2006 7:41 PM:
Curious about your answer. If a tank can support the water and all of the
rock and sand when it's displayed, why can it not when being moved.
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.

So you assume that everyone's tank can handle it. Dangerous assumption!

Also, what is the purpose of keeping the original water.

This is might get a little too complicated for you. More original water
means more bio load when you set up.

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.

Bad assumption. This is why your bioload is not as high as mine with no
water changes.