Moving/installing a somewhat larger tank
 

This Friday I have 8 of my friends coming over to help carry in my new tank. It is 60”x36”x24 all 1/2”. Double panel of 1/2” glass on the bottom, and 1/2” euro bracing on top.

The tank will be moved about 65’ from my garage, it will then have to turn on one of its sides to get into the house, travel on its side for about 25’ to clear one interior door frame, and then another 20’ to the stand.

What is the easiest way? Myself and guy friends are all over 30yrs old, not that it matters other than “you” possibly think kids/teenagers. I think I have enough man power, but how should we go about this?

My current tank was a 2-3 person job and not turn sideways.

Thoughts? Ideas? Issues to plan for?

The shipping bill stated 530lbs in its crate...FYI

Moved in my 150 with just me and one buddy using this:


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nielsen-...FUG9TwodfssI3w



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Once in a while I will advise having pro's hop in rather than just going for it DIY.

This would be one of those times.

Yes those straps work great, if you know how to use them, not sure how it's going to go when turning it sideways, and that is where I'd be a little concerned, and the long run is not going to be easy either.
Movers are insured.

1st thing if you are still doing this would be GOOD suction cups, 8 of them.
Next if you can get, borrow, or find one would be a 3 foot dolly on large air filled wheels.
Someone who does tank maint. & installs might be helpful.

You can rent the suction cups in some areas. If the rental stores do not have them try glass shops. Harbor freight also sells them although not of the quality you will get at the glass or rental stores. They defiantly make it easier.
It may make more sense to take a longer route to avoid obstructions like doorways.

Suction Cups. Gloves. Quality furniture dolly with a frame on it to support the tank while you are rolling it along.
Beers and pizza after the move, not before.

Sorry for any confusion, I realized I stated the tank would be turned on it’s side...meaning onto its back panel, not the actual side panel...oops.

I can rent these locally...

https://i.imgur.com/wezLTMr.jpg


8 of these?

Yes they work very well.
Make sure to clean the surface of the glass & suction cup.
A dolly would do the most in the move by avoiding your carrying it all the way.

Furniture dollys are a wonderful thing, and less than $20 each.
2 might be a good idea.
That and suction cups.

One warning, bottom of tank may be tempered, whatever you do, do not set that bottom panel on dolly w/out something that spans edge to edge of that tank, the slightest bounce can and will make it explode, I have seen this in person on a 240g once, it aint pretty

I’ll be picking up two - 1k pound capacity furniture dollys from Lowe’s tomorrow!

Thanks guys


For the move, I also plan to keep the tank inside the shipping crate. It is covered with 1” foam insulation on EVERY side, has 2x4 “ribbing/bracing”, and skinned with 1/2”plywood. I figure this can help protect the glass while moving. I will use the dollys whenever possible to avoid lifting. I will be placing some plywood down on the inside of the house to help reduce or prevent and damage to my laminate “wood” flooring. One good thing is I have zero carpet in the house haha.

After getting it to the living room we can then dismantle the crate, and lift tank onto stand.

I will probably only use the suction cups to help prevent damage to the foam insulation layer that will be placed under the tank. It’ll allow a few guys to take some of the weight while the others help slide if need be.

Hopefully it fits through doors w/ crate on, good idea if it does.
Home depot sells luan /thin ply sheets for like $8, it's what I use to protect floors I'm working on.
Go slow, walk your course w/ everyone so all are on same page.
Good luck, post pics!

Got the tank in the house and up on the stand! With 9 guys, it went as planned and was a breeze!

I’ll post some pics shortly...

I got out my old ford tractor, the shipping crate was placed on my trailer. It was then driven to the rear sliding door. This saved our backs as the first leg was 70’ from the driveway...

https://i.imgur.com/swCA9eS.jpg


It’s at the sliding door...(I’m on the left)

https://i.imgur.com/ONEFYLi.jpg


The dolly really helped here, coming through the slider wasn’t that bad...

https://i.imgur.com/KnnUYhR.jpg


Only had to go through one interior open door frame so we could pass through the kitchen...

https://i.imgur.com/o8u8emN.jpg


Passing through the kitchen...

https://i.imgur.com/ljSrEtN.jpg


We made it to the living room...

https://i.imgur.com/UlsQdnm.jpg


It was on its side to be able to fit through the door frames, here we are rolling it back to right side up...

https://i.imgur.com/4YhLgqv.jpg


Made it safe!...

https://i.imgur.com/qfxZ7Py.jpg


Finally, I can start to dismantle the shipping crate!!!...

https://i.imgur.com/sWOHhpo.jpg


Crates apart; it’s go time...

https://i.imgur.com/O9id1L1.jpg

She’s almost there!!!...

https://i.imgur.com/oCSHEY8.jpg


We set it “close”, which made it easy on the fingers haha...

https://i.imgur.com/rWKmlvU.jpg


Here I am(camo hoodie) “fine tuning”, I’m sure some of the guys were annoyed about how picky I was being, just kidding. I wanted it PERFECT...

https://i.imgur.com/C50fYGA.jpg


I am so lucky to have friends like this! Everyone is always down to help each other out, no matter what the task. Of course though, we provided food and some beer as a thanks haha. I couldn’t ask for better friends...

https://i.imgur.com/9xL3CZ7.jpg


BAM!!! 60”x36”x24”. 3sided starfire. Double full floating bottom panels. Black vinyl background. Bottom abs protection layer. All 1/2” glass including euro bracing. Pre drilled and setup for a custom Modular Marine overflow....

https://i.imgur.com/y4HO4jd.jpg


And of course, my other half. Aka, the one that allows me to do all of this. I’m also lucky as she likes this stuff too! I love her...and the tank! Haha...

https://i.imgur.com/kBDjera.jpg


I have to post this, well, because this is how serious I took this project. I made all my friends remove their belts while lifting onto the stand. I didn’t want any scratches before I even start!!! BAHAHAHAHAHA...

https://i.imgur.com/kUQpC4j.jpg

You've got yourself a great tank, great friends and a great wife. I enjoyed the pics of the move. Thanks for sharing. Will you be making a build journal?

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Yes, I was gonna start a new thread in the Reef discussion section.

Great. I'll watch for it. [emoji106]Sent from my SM-S902L using Tapatalk

Who built the tank?

Corey

Crystal Reef Aquatics out of Washington state