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Am I Crazy to Attempt to Move My System and Livestock Cross-Country?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Tony L., May 13, 2015.

  1. May 13, 2015 #1
    Tony L. Cedar Rapids

    Tony L.

    272
    Cedar Rapids
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    I'm to be married this summer and we'll be moving out California way before fall gets here. I've had my 90gal system set up for coming up on a year and couldn't be more pleased with the results of my efforts! It's a FOWLR system at the moment but was designed and set up to eventually be an accroproa reef and it's progressing very nicely in that direction. I've got ten fish at the moment which I have become very attached to (as one tends to do) and do not wish to say goodbye just yet. As I've invested a small fortune into the equipment and system everything will be coming with me so it may be set up in our new residence.

    The idea of attempting to move ten fish plus roughly 100lbs of rock out to the coast seems daunting to say the least; I think out right insane comes closer. The logical part of me says to part ways with the live stock and dry the rock out and start over once moved. The emotional side of me doesn't want to leave my friends behind.

    The most effective and least stressful means of transportation seems to me to be an overnight delivery. Package up the fish and the rock and turn it over to UPS for 24hr delivery to the new address. The problem with this scenario (aside from the astronomical shipping charge for such items and service) is that I'll need a system set up to receive the delivery. This of course means tearing down the system hear in Iowa and moving everything into temporary accommodations and then moving the dry set up out West. Then have the fiance package and ship everything; or return to do it myself and then fly back so as to receive the shipment. This scenario seems REALLY expensive; so much so that it becomes hard to argue the cost of the effort.

    The second scenario would be to drive out the live stock along with the set up. I imagine this would be a two day drive at the shortest and creates a challenge for keeping the livestock alive through the trip. Obviously the containers would need aeration and more than likely to be heated. Some battery operated air pumps might solve the aeration problem but the only way I can think to keep things within temp range would be to keep the transport vehicle around 80 degrees. This process strikes me as a little more cost effective but perhaps too stressful for the livestock.

    If anyone has any experience transporting and moving livestock I'd appreciate any feedback, ideas, tips, etc. Am I really crazy for trying to hash a cost effective plan to move my fish-mates with me?
     
  2. May 13, 2015 #2
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    8,015
    La Porte City, IA
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    Honestly, you will be much happier in the long run if you sell the fish, let the rock dry out. Move everything, get it set up and running, then buy the fish again.

    If you are that attached to any of the fish, find someone to hold them for a month or two while you reset up the tank, then have them over night them to you. Overnight is not a guarantee as many fish perish in shipping.
     
  3. May 13, 2015 #3
    abower Ryan, Ia

    abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

    466
    Ryan, Ia
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    5 gallon buckeets with lids, fill halfway with rock, top off water to 3" from top. Drill 2, 1/4" holes in lid. One to accept an air tube, the other for exhaust. Run air pumps off an AC inverter, keep car cool and sun from hitting buckets. They would do best on floor behind front seat to help keep them from moving and lower in car. If your not buddy systeming the drive and plan to stop, campgrounds have easy access to electrical outlet to run pumps. This method would prevent them from being exposed to ammonia buildup.
     
  4. May 13, 2015 #4
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    8,876
    West Des Moines, IA
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    Rock is going to have die-off and end up cycling anyways so just put those in buckets with water and seal them, LR can make it a long time as long as it stays wet.

    Fish, however, is what you care about. For temp, probably best to have a small heater. If you have room, get a 20g Brute trash can and fill it with enough water to allow the fish some swimming room, then put in bunch of 4" and 6" PVC pipe, the airstone, and heater. No rock, rock can shift around. Pipe sections can be strapped together with zip ties, drill holes and tie them together, etc, to create safe havens for when you are turning/braking/accelerating.

    You can also put Seachem Prime in. Prime, in addition to a de-chlorinator, also binds up nitrate (and ammonia, I think) but it's effect is temporary. Basically it takes is out of harms way for the fish, but it is still bio-available (kind of a bad explanation) at least for a couple days. Running a drop-in sponge filter with ammo-chips in it would probably be better, since you would already running air.

    Can do a battery air pump also. If you need one (in lieu of in inverter) I have one I have been trying to get rid of. It has a lead-acid battery http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8120

    I thought it was one that just ran when power was off, but it's not - it runs all the time. It also has a on/off mode where it runs for a minute or so, then turns off for a minute or so.
     
  5. May 13, 2015 #5
    mpivit Dubuque

    mpivit Well-Known ReefKeeper

    494
    Dubuque
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    A move is stressful enough without having to worry about fish. I would keep the rock in 5 gallon buckets and sell off the livestock.

    If you are rushed to setup your new system to accommodate the fish, there will enevitably be mistakes and regrets.

    If it was me, I'd probably sell the livestock and the tank. (It could easily break in a move that far.)
     
  6. May 14, 2015 #6
    Dave Des Moines Area

    Dave Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,749
    Des Moines Area
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    I agree. Moving that far is a big job by itself without setting up a tank. Sell the set up and replace it with a new, larger one in CA.
     
  7. May 14, 2015 #7
    Ray/Jen_Reefin Davenport, IA

    Ray/Jen_Reefin 2016 Vice President / 2015 Volunteer of the year.

    1,645
    Davenport, IA
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    Moving a tank that massive, with no help, yes sell off what u can. Part it out if u have the time and patience.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  8. May 14, 2015 #8
    abower Ryan, Ia

    abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

    466
    Ryan, Ia
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    How much do you like the equipment you have? If you want better and soon then selling could be beneficial. If you love the set up and equipment and plan to keep it going for a few years then you'll have to balance the loss to sell/repurchase vs. Ship and store for a couple months. Your looking at roughley a 50% hit to sell and repurchase. Not to mention time to sell and time to repurchase.
     
  9. May 28, 2015 #9
    Placid Norwalk, IA

    Placid

    280
    Norwalk, IA
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    When do you plan on moving. I currently have a 225 gallon that is setup and cycled. I'm just about to transfer my stuff from my 75 over, but could maybe assist with housing/shipping fish. Still risky though.
     
  10. May 29, 2015 #10
    Shayna

    Shayna Well-Known ReefKeeper

    425
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    Good advice above - I have thought about the same thing someday when I relocate, and I do not think I will try to transport a tank. With all the things to worry about during moving, I think a massive die off would be really risky. That said, I have traveled home from trips with fish and corals, keeping them in a cooler in bags with a lot of air. I had a battery operated aerator from the fishing section at Walmart to air up any bags that got low. I would keep them overnight in the hotel with me - never leaving them in the car - stable temps are one of the biggest factors. And of course fast them before the trip to avoid dirtying the water. Last, I would suggest networking online with a local reef club in the area you're moving to. If any are like members here, they could be a world of help in saving your fish/corals if things go wrong.
     

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