Question about moving a newly dirted tank

Hi, I have a question about moving a newly dirted tank. I ordered plants from Dustin and should be getting them soon. I have my tank cycled and the soil is ready but I just got a notice from my landlord that all tenants need to vacate by November 1st, there is some kind of structural damage from our last earthquake. I am not sure if it would damage the plants or not to empty the tank down to the gravel and move it. Luckily I am only doing my 10g Dwarf African Frog tank at the moment. Should I wait or just go ahead and dirt & plant it then move it????

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Permalink Reply by Fishtank Thumbnail on September 3, 2014 at 3:03pm

IMO... Don't use dirt, buy a planted tank substrate and save yourself headache. If you must do dirt, I'd wait. Odds are you will break the cap when you move it which will cause you even more mess and headache.

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Permalink Reply by LED on September 4, 2014 at 6:15pm

for a move that is not far or bumpy

remove the water all the way down below the gravel

cover the plants with a single sheet of plastic wrap

do your move and set up again

for a long bumpy ride

remove the water and plants completely or your plants will be destroyed by moving gravel

if already dirted, check to see there is a proper layer of gravel over your soil after the move.

then replant and refill.

I would suggest waiting to dirt and plant. It will be a messy move as well as much damage to your plants and ruin your months of work. Ive been there before and Ive had too much die before with my 400 mile move.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Frericks on September 4, 2014 at 9:51pm

Hey LED,

Luckily the move will only be about a mile and a half. Dustin shipped my plants super quick as the came in today. I went ahead and dirted and planted today. I will post a pic later. The water is a bit brown even though I rinsed the dirt a lot. Think it's just tannins.