Advice On Moving A Tank Please

[Akasha72]

hahaha thanks Jen! Yeah .. it's been good to throw my thoughts around here and get suggestions and ideas thrown back. It's certainly helped with the worry that's for sure!
 
I can handle losing the odd fish - especially the easily replaceable ones but the thought of possibly losing my gorgeous cichlids would just destroy me. I know they are going to die one day but I want them to die of old age and not through my stupidity. I couldn't live with that

 

[frapadoodle]

Sorry about the loss, but we know it happens. And Neons being bred and interbred for 80 years, they are kind of like overbred dogs, not in the best of health.
I keep a log on when I get new fish, mainly as a scorecard for any deaths. So I can judge age, or if new poor acclamation.

 

[Akasha72]

I might start doing that Mr Doodles. It seems like a really good idea!

 

[Akasha72]

quick update
 
The Juwel Rekord came back in from the shed this afternoon so I pinched some water from my main tank and some from the 30 litre and topped it up with fresh and got the occupants moved from the 30 litre in minutes - nowhere to hide!

I spent an hour trying to catch palmeri tetra's and the remaining 2 black neons but they're far too quick for me! I did manage to catch female curviceps - she's definitely blind - she couldn't even see the net and so she just swam into it. I also managed to get male curviceps eventually too.
 
I've just about given up on the remaining tetra's ... without one person with a net at one side of the tank and me at the other there's no way those guys are getting netted. The central support bar seriously hinders the netting process and I'm getting frustrated now.
 
Has anyone any tips?
 
Other than that we're nearly good to go. There's only a few bits of furniture still to move tomorrow. I'm just waiting for my Dad to call with a piece of wood as the lid wouldn't fit on the Rekord. I've currently got a piece of perspex over it but there's a good 3 inch gap that they could get through over night. I've taped a bit of folded kitchen foil to it but I'm not happy they can't jump. Dad's found a wooden board in the garage that should cover it better.
 
Wow ... too much stress today. I'll be glad when this is all over. I didn't even know if I'd be online tonight. In all the hassle of this afternoon and shifting stuff I managed to get my leg caught around the laptop lead and send my laptop crashing to the floor. I have no idea how it's still working but it's seems to have survived! If I suddenly disappear though you all know the damage is hiding and waiting to bite me later!!

 

[frapadoodle]

Good to know things are progressing.
Yeah, the center support is a bother come netting time. I always use a net in each hand, and a lot of swearing.

 

[Akasha72]

I tried the net in each hand thing but it was a bit like trying to pat my head and rub my tummy!! I could never do that as a kid! I guess I'm just not very co-ordinated! Can't be good at everything 

 
Tomorrow the big lump of wood is coming out and so is the huge rock. That might make things easier. Taking the lump of wood out will give me time to re-tie on the anubias that's come loose and I might be able to scrub off some nerite snail eggs off the rock too! I'm looking for the positives for pulling my tank apart 

I'm actually so stressed today that I want to cry. It's been a tough old day and now I'm layed on my bed in agony with the laptop and some chill out music on the ipod. I don't know what more to do now

 

[Ch4rlie]

It will all work out, just persevere and it'll all come good
 
This is the tough part.
 
Once carpet is in and tank back in place, when you see things going back into the tank, you will be happy

 

[Akasha72]

well my Dad is adding to my worries. He's now saying he doesn't think we'll be able to lift the tank ... and what if the base collapses and what if this and what if that... does he not think I've already visited all the worst case scenario's already in my head a million times.... I don't need to visit it all again. *sigh* ... me too tired and stressed to deal with it now

 
Thanks though for the buck up

 

[Ch4rlie]

Of course you guys wil be able to lift the tank
 
My 4 foot tank and stand weighs an absolute ton (feels like it anyway!) me and the GF managed to lift this tank and bring it into our flat along with the stand too then when we found there was no room for this tank we had to move it into the garage which is even more difficult than putting it in flat in first place
 
Nothing is impossible, where's there's a way there's a will

 

[Akasha72]

when I got it me and Dad carried the stand from the car into my first floor flat. I was way too heavy for me and with a poorly spine it wasn't a good idea but we did it (mostly cos Dad forced me) He asked my neighbour to help him with the tank cos by then I was on my hands and knees lol
 
Now he's saying ... there's wet sand in it ... blah blah blah. Too much stress.
 
Today I had a plan. I'd measured everything and double measured to make sure. I knew where every piece of furniture would go in various places around the flat to clear the living room. Dad swept in with my uncle and started pulling my plan apart and 'checking' my measurements .... I'm a seamstress by trade ... if I can't use a tape measure by now gods help me!!
In the end he conceeded my plan was probably right and we went with it but why oh why did he have to doubt the plan in the first place!! 
 
As a said it's been a heck of a day and I'm stressed out beyond belief!!
 
I'll be so glad when Thursday has been and gone and me and my friend are putting stuff back on Friday.... seen as you guys have guided me I'll even take a photo of the newly carpeted room ...and then we can have a party 

 

[Tooombsy]

Let's have the party early then we can help move the tank
We will all bring nets to help catch the last few fish, 20 nets are better than one

 

[frapadoodle]

Don't be so hard on Dad, it's what we do.
Pictures of the new carpet would be appropriate, seeing as how much stress was involved in getting it in.
As for now, Rest perturbed spirit, rest.

 

[jag51186]

I was under the belief that swords are root feeders that reproduce via budding new baby plants?? So I would think the leaves would rot...But I'm a novice.

My few swords usually shoot up a long stem with a couple baby leaves on it, and I break that off and plant it to start new ones. I can't remember the technical term for it.

 

[Akasha72]

Hi jag ... well I've broken off a lot of damaged sword leaves anyway, added a plant weight to them and dropped them in bunches into the temporary tank. It's just to provide places to hide to reduce some stress of being turfed out of their home for 2 days.
 
My nerite snails went straight to them and started cleaning the leaves - guess they were hungry and I can't see my female curviceps so I'm guessing she's hidden herself amongst them. Once the main tank is back in the room tomorrow evening the fish go back home and the broken off leaves go in the bin. Hopefully they won't cause any problems in just 2 days *fingers crossed*
 
 
Male curviceps is not a happy man. He's just sat in a corner staring at the wall. I think he's in shock
 
I'm now considering a trip to my lfs this afternoon (if there's time) to have a look at any lumps of wood they may have. I'm wondering about a re-scape seen as I got to pull it apart anyway

 

[Akasha72]

I'm utterly utterly deverstated. What was the one fish I didn't want to lose in all this ...

 

 
I've just found my female curviceps dead on the kitchen floor. I've no idea when she jumped but she committed suicide at some point. I just want to cry and cry and cry