[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by kien

If your new tank is going to go where your old tank is, then yes, you will need a holding container. Personally this is what I would do (and have done many times).

Get a rubbermade tote or trash bin for rocks and one for water.
Take out rocks and put them in a container.
Take out water and put some in the container with the rocks and some in another tote/trash bin.
Net fish and put them in the container that has just water (make sure this container has a heater and a powerhead).
If you have sand put that in another container.
Now move out the old tank and place it on the floor or somewhere nearby.
Put the new tank in place.
If the new tank doesn't need much work (plumbing, etc), you can move everyone from the temporary bins back into the new tank.
However, if your new tank needs some work (plumbing, etc), that will take more than a day, you can put everything back into the old tank that is sitting nearby. This way you can throw in a heater and a couple of power heads and use it as a holding tank while the new tank is being worked on. Once the new tank is done then move everyone from the old tank to the new tank (water and all), and top up the new tank.

+1
Between moves and upgrades I have done this 6 times and have never lost a thing. Pretty easy but I seem to get alot of water every where. Fast = Messy