How to do this?

[Helloitsme]

So, I just bought a new to me used 100 gallon. I am going to put it where my set up and running 60 gallon is now. The 60 needs to be moved across the living room (about 12 feet) and left up and running while I set up the 100 before I transfer the fish. What would be the best and easiest way to move the 60? I have hardwood floors, if that factors into the equation at all. I was thinking of getting some of those furniture sliders "As seen on TV" and incorporating them somehow for the move.

[Regalblue]

I'm not psychic but I see a 100% water change in your 60s future...  You're going to have to break it down & move it.  Just keep all the substrate & filter media fully submerged & set it back up ASAP.

[Helloitsme]

Yeah, that's the only option I've come up with too. I was hoping not to have to catch all the fish and keep them in buckets while I did so, though.

[saji1986]

I just went through a similiar situation. I moved a 65 gallon to make room for a new 125 gallon. My tanks are on carpet, so sliding them was not an option in my opinion.

I drained the tank into a large rubbermaid can, got some friends to help me move it (about 30 feet away) - put a submersible pump into the bottom of the rubbermaid, and filled it up as much as possible, topped it off with fresh water.

It was a successful move, fish and tank survived! Hope this helps.

[Helloitsme]

Thanks! I had not thought of that. Probably because I do not have a submersible pump. I may know someone that does though...

[Regalblue]

There's no need to save the old water, all your BB will be in the media & substrate. 

As far as not wanting to catch all the fish -  once you drain most of the water out, you can just grab them by hand.
As far as not keeping the fish in buckets - tough

[Marty]

Go to Walmart or Target and get a couple of those 15 gallon laundry totes so you can save half of your water.  They're usually about $5 each and come in handy for short term projects like this.

[linuxrulesusa]

Probably was a bad idea, but last summer I moved my 29 high across the room on furniture movers about 1/3 full with fish still in it.  Would I do it again now?  Probably not.  And probably not with a 60 gallon.  But, it is an option of sorts.    I did have it on the furniture movers to begin with, and it was on an iron stand, not wood. 

I like the drain into a big Rubbermaid can and then siphon back into the tank idea.  Granted most of the good bacteria will be in the substrate/filter, but I still like to transfer some of the water back in since the fish are used to it.  Though if I had a big tub for aging water or was better at matching temperature 100% exactly, this would likely be a non-issue.

[Helloitsme]

All Good Ideas. I moved this same tank and group of fish into a different house about 3 months ago all by myself and it wasn't easy but not difficult. I'm just searching for a options, opinions, ideas to the way I did id that time. I'm going to have to move furniture and maybe paint during this process, I am thinking. If I'm gonna do it I may as well do it right. I DO NOT like painting!

[gcalvus]

Chuck give me a holler if you need help most of my days are free

[Helloitsme]

Chuck give me a holler if you need help most of my days are free

Thanks Gary!
I may take up up on that.

[JeffroM]

Those furniture sliding discs work great, but even with 99% of the water removed I think it would be so heavy that those discs would leave marks in the hardwood.  Don't try that IMO.

I'm surprised no one has suggested the "best" method...  You need a 3rd tank.  Buy another tank.  Set it up.  Move fish from 60 to the new tank.  Move 60 gallon out of the way.  Paint and whatever else you want to do.  Set up 60 and 100 gal tanks.  Move fish from 3rd tank into 100 gal.  Now you have 2 empty tanks to play with.  Sounds like a win / win / win situation to me.

[danielratti]

^ he may very well be on to something

[Helloitsme]

Buy another tank.  Set it up.  Move fish from 60 to the new tank.  Move 60 gallon out of the way.  Paint and whatever else you want to do.  Set up 60 and 100 gal tanks.  Move fish from 3rd tank into 100 gal.  Now you have 2 empty tanks to play with.  Sounds like a win / win / win situation to me.

I actually did think of this, briefly. In fact Rich even offered to loan me a tank.Thing is, I have space issues. Amongst others.

[Helloitsme]

Actually Jeff,

Now that I've thought about it. That's a darn good idea! I don't know why I'm surprised.  Do any of my close personal fish keeping pals have anything along the lines of a 40L or a 55 and stand I could borrow for a short period of time? I'm kind of OCD when it come to my tanks so it shouldn't take too long. Although there is the painting, yuk!