Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know or have any good ideas on how to pack up and move a tank??? I just got mine together a few weeks ago. Everything is growing wonderfully and spreading out over the tank. I didn't get any frogs yet and I won't until I move. I just found out about two weeks ago that we will be moving about 6 hrs away from where we live now.
Now I have to figure out how to pack up a 46 gallon tank without ripping it down completely. I really don't want to start over again. Here is what I was thinking about doing in order to move the tank. I was going to of course Syphon out all the water from the false bottom. I am also going to remove the water fall and pack that seperately which isn't a problem because I made it so I could take it out so I could acess the pump without any problems, plus it is on the heavy side. I then was going to leave everything as is. I didn't want to take the dirt out or the plants. I was going to tape the glass cover on the top so that it would keep the water in so the plants wouldn't dry out in transport and to keep anything that I don't want in the tank from getting in. I then was thinking about getting the sheets of instalation foam from the hardware store...the thick ones. I was going to cut them to size to fit around the outside of the tank, the sides and the bottom. Then wrapping it in strech wrap...then if I could find a box big enough I would slip it inside but if not I would have to make a make shift box to go around the foam.
What do you guys think??? I am not moving for another 2-3 months but I am really worried about transporting my tank without breakage and damage. Do you any of you have any ideas or have moved a tank?? I would greatly appreciate any advice!!! I also have an empty tank that I am going to make into another frog tank once I move and this also has to be transported. Thanks!!!

I think you pretty much have it figured out as well as anyone else could do it. What kind of vehicle are you going to move it in? And will you have help with lifting it up evenly from both ends? The only addition I would make would be to also put some clear shipping tape around the tank itself in a few bands both vertically and horizontally, before securing it in the insulation/box, but maybe I'm overly neurotic about any twisting that might stress the corners, even with the secure outside insulation and boxing. I would worry also about the bottom giving way with the substrate weight, so you might consider transporting it on a kind of litter, or solid board of some sort when you move it out, and then in to your new home.

Whenever I ask my foster boys to help with moving tanks, they just tell me to get out of the way and stop flapping around with suggstions, and let them simply do it. They haven't broken a tank yet, including an $800.00 180 gallon they got up a flight of extremely steep stairs and around some impossible corners. So perhaps all you are missing is a fussy old lady, who can barely lift her own feet, to get in the way and make a lot of noise.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue
D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
D. imitator
D. leucomelas
D. pumilio Bastimentos
D. fantasticus
P. terribilis mint and organe
D. reticulatus
D. castaneoticus
D. azureus
P vittatus
P. lugubris

I think that the solid board is a great idea. I will wrap it up and I will make sure I strech wrap the top down with the rest of the tank. That way I will make sure the top doesn't come off. I will make sure I hit the corners as well. Then I can make a make shift box maybe from some wood sort off like a wood crate. I was worried about the bottom getting broke too. That way I know the wood will secure the sides as well as the bottom. I am not sure what kind of veichle I will be transporting it in. Probably the moving truck because of the size and the weight would be best.I have put a lot of money and hard work between building and researching the tank I don't want to take any chances on it getting broke! I don't think you are scquabbling old lady at all!!! I would have a heart attack watching two young men move my tank as well!!! They seem to be like bulls in a china shop when it comes to things being fragile lol!!! But I am glad to hear that your tanks have all gotten moved without breakage. That is the worst thing about glass! It only takes one little hit in the right spot and poof the glass is shattered. THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT SUGGESTIONS!!!! They are greatly appreciated!!!

It's ironic, but one of my foster boys (now fully grown and going to be a daddy soon) just left the house with the 20 gallon tank with two leopard geckos and all the sand and gravel still in it--just sitting in the back of his jeep. He's driving them to Blackfoot, which is about 70 miles from here. I told him to let me know how it travels, because I have a special interest, having just given a lot of very cautious advice about safely moving tanks. He's one of the guys that packed my 180 up the back stairs. (He did carry it out on a board, though.)

Oh my!! A test situation so soon.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue
D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
D. imitator
D. leucomelas
D. pumilio Bastimentos
D. fantasticus
P. terribilis mint and organe
D. reticulatus
D. castaneoticus
D. azureus
P vittatus
P. lugubris

Ironically, the only tank I've ever broken during a move was completely empty. I've moved several times (I'm finishing up college, and have to move again soon..... ) But my largest is 29 gallon. If you're planning on moving a lot limiting yourself to reasonably movable tanks is a good idea.

If you're moving it in the back of a moving truck be VERY careful. Things shift around a lot in there, and this is how I lost the only tank I broke. All the others I have transported in the back of a car or truck.

Good Luck moving it.

Stephanie

Ben called me when he got home with the lizards and everything traveled just fine. I suspect this was sheer luck.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue
D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
D. imitator
D. leucomelas
D. pumilio Bastimentos
D. fantasticus
P. terribilis mint and organe
D. reticulatus
D. castaneoticus
D. azureus
P vittatus
P. lugubris

I have had plenty of experience moving my fish tanks, between 10 and 30 gallons, because I am too a college student subject to moving around. This is why I haven't gotten anything bigger yet! That sure is a beast to do, and transporting fish involves air pumps and splashing and all...I am not worried at all about moving my frogs or tank next Fall. If possible, I would take the tank in your personal vehicle if you are driving it. That way you know it is being observed. I plan on making a special trip just for my fish and frogs because I'm only moving 2.5 hours away.
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2 D. azureus
1.1 A. cacatuoides
1 C. cinctus
1.0 F. catus

Thanks guys for all the replies. I don't think it will be possible for me to put it in the back seat of my car, but if it is I will do that. That is how I got the tank home when I first got it. But I am moving 6 hours without stops away from philadelphia where we currently live. I also have a dog and two cats I am going to have to transport. I am not even sure how we are going to transport them at the moment. I own a 1987 nissan sentra which is small and has limited room. Plus I might have to transport a kid or two in the back seat depending on the exact day we choose to move. Grr talk about a pain in the butt. But I really appreciate all the replies and suggestions!!!! I will keep all of them in mind. Maybe I can convince my father in law to come down and maybe he could transport my tank and the other animals in the back of his pickup truck. He also owns a small trailer. I will have to see. Thanks again