2.  Have at least enough water to do a 30% water change at the new location.

 

3.  Remove the sand bed in layers.  Top layer label bucket "A" next layer "B" etc. I try to never fill a 5 gallon bucket more that 30% with the top couple of layers.  That is where the good critters are and filling the bucket too full will crush and kill them...

 

4.  Turn rocks over before removing them from the tank.  If there are large sponges, do your best to keep them submerged in water and do not expose them to air. large buckets and heave duty trash bags work well to transfer them to the shipping containers.

 

5.  Do not use nets to catch the fish. Once most of the rock is out, you can easily corner them with plastic buckets.  I just use ice cream buckets and herd them with a spatula.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Thanks,

 

Scott