The 90 gallon Road Trip

[aquaman3680]

Ok so i decided to take up sasquatch's idea of starting a thread of moving my 90 gallon reef. This will also be my new setup thread. I figured that during the move I will make some changes to my system. I'm going to switch out my lights to either 2x400 watt SE pendants or 2x250 watt HQI pendants. Also I will be positioning the tank to where I can add a fuge.

In the mean time I need some ideas on best ways to move with out having major die off.

This method has worked very well for me several times while traveling with zero losses...
Keep the fish & corals in seperate large igloo coolers (one for the fish, one for the corals) filled 1/3 - 1/2 way (no baggies). You may have to use juice glasses or something else to keep stinging corals away from other corals. Get 2 air pumps with airstones (or one large with two outlets), two thermometers, and two heaters. The corals/fish should be fine in the closed coolers while driving, but when you stay overnight, bring the coolers into the motel and plug in the air pumps and heaters.

Thanks Woodstock for the great advice!

I think that is the best idea so far. We are renting a cargo van to keep things at the right temperature. I just have one question... Why not bag the corals?

Any ways heres some pics.


That ones in the contest this month



Let me know your opinions

Matt

[deaclauderdale]

Those shots look awesome!

[Gina]

Nice pics!
As to your question on whether to bag corals or not, I don't see why it would be a problem. I also think Woodstocks idea is great too. If your worried about the corals touching in the cooler, why not get some eggcrate and cut out holes where you can place the corals? That would keep them secure in their place.

[Woodstock]

Bagging limits available oxygen and traps co2 which lowers ph. It is more work with the igloo coolers but does provide better conditions. If you really want to bag the corals, use the big bags and very little water.

[Craig Manoukian]

If you can get some Kordon "Breathable" bags they are wonderful as they respirate CO2 and exchange oxygen. I've used them to transport fish and frags from the SF Bay area to Reno, 250 miles, with no problems.

Good luck and nice photography!

[Witfull]

Kordon stopped making the bags for some silly reason.

[boozeman]

[aquaman3680]

Thanks for the ideas and the compliments on the pics, i can get everything i need for the move bags ect. as i work at a LFS.

At night in the hotel should i put a filter on the tubs with fish and corals in it?

Thanks
Matt

[Woodstock]

No filter needed... just an airstone and heater. Make sure you place the bottom of the heater on something non-meltable. I used a shallow glass dish and placed the airstone so that it bubbles up from the bottom and across the heater.

The breathable bags are a great idea also! Isn't there another company that makes them?

[aquaman3680]

Thanks woodstock, Man your just full of great advice.

One question would you get the 250HQI or the 400 Mogul base? Heat not being an issue.

Thanks,
Matt

[aquaman3680]

Ok... I have done some research and I am going to go with the 400 watt mogul base pendant.

Do i have to have some supplimental lighting?

Also, I am going to set up a fuge in the new house. How many gallons would be sutible for a 90 gallon tank?

Heres some new pics also...

all pics that I have taken of him look unreal its weird






Let me know

Matt

[Woodstock]

400 watt mogul is what I would get if heat were not an issue... then a 15k bulb would still give off plenty of PAR!

Nice pics!

Why is the regal tang's tail tattered?

[aquaman3680]

not sure the guy I got it from said he had it for a year and it has always been that way. It kinda looks cool, he eats like a champ and has no signs of stress.

The 400's I'll probably either go with a 10K or a 12K reeflux bulb. They tend to be a little more blue than most bulbs.

[Craig Manoukian]

30 gallons plus would be good for a 90 gallon display. The more water volume the better. A larger sump can be split into a sump/refugium. Search the DIY section for information on how to set-up.

[lcstorc]

Nice pics!
Thanks for sharing,
Generally people add supplimental PC lighting just for the look, but it depends on which bulbs you put in the mh setup. Some don't have enough blue for people's tase so they add actinics to add some blue to the look of the tank. Right now I am running 3 150w 10,000k mh w/4 96w actinics on a 18in deep 125, and I love the look of the combo. If I am remembering correctly, (and it is early so I may not be) the higher k numbers have more blue, but less par so weigh that into your decision as well. While you may not actually need the additional wattage you may also find you like the look of the combination. Take a look in some peoples gallerys. Many have their light specs in their sig and you will see what they are running and how it looks. That may give you a better idea.
Just my 2 cents.