I have read the article a few times! I can say it is very good practice and procedure. From personal experience I have moved my tanks three times now and some of the fish are over 10in. I moved my fish with rubbermaid bins. I used seperate 5g buckets for media decor and some substrate.
I have a 120g 125g 2x 55g 75g 20g and 29g. I have never removed any of the substrate when moving my tanks. I think it might make it lighter to move in the case of the big tanks a hundred or more pounds less. I have never had any ill effects of cracks or split seams. If a seam is gonna split or you twist the tank it will be the same rather or not you have substrate in.
For instance if you are moving a big tank from a 3rd floor or up from a basement it is very hard to not twist and turn. If you feel safer remove the substrate. I just wanted to give my experiences with moving tanks with some water and substrate.
