moving 360 gal tank filled 20 feet

[ConsultantERP]

This may rate as off topic but here it is. I need to move a reef tank the measures 48 X 72 X 24, about 360 gallons 20 feet across a concrete floor, its a reef tank and its full of everything you might expect in a reef tank, ie: 400 plus LBS of live rock. I figure at a minimum I will be removing half of the water in the tank, and I could even remove some of the rock, I can easily build under the tank for supports, but I was hoping someone may have had some experience at trying something like this. FYI, if I cannot come up with some advice about how to do it I will likely empty and restart, but who want to do that. Also, there is no way for a fork lift to get into the building and no obstructions in the way from the start point and end point. One more thing, I am an LFS and my living depends on this reef tank. :confused:

[crazzyreefer]

I moved a 500 gal tank half full only once, it bent the lift gate on the truck and it took every bit of power 12 people could muster just to keep it from Crashing on to the floor.... you have it easy.... remove all the water, no need for water, the corals will do better without it. they make glides for moving heavy equipment, some are wheels and others are just plastic disks 1/2 inches in height, use boards for leverage to lift tank, and slide them under, you will be amazed how easy it slides after you have them on, you may wish to leave them, I did.. no need to take all the rock out, but I would place plactic sheets/cutting boards in front of your glass just incase you have a few rocks topple over, if your worried about your fish leave 2-4 inches of water in the tank. I would not use the wheeled equipment movers only the plastic disks.

[areze]

Im visualizing 4 automotive jacks at the corners; each jacked evenly. then roll it.

assuming you can get a jack under it.

[Blown 346]

My only advice is good luck.

[chinaman4u]

i moved a 45 gal tank by my self 10 ft; lifting. then placing a dowel under the tank. With several dowels, i was able to roll the tank over. If you can get a jack under there you should be able to slide a bunch of 1" dowels under it and roll it over moving the rearmost dowel to the front and so on.

[pro99line]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6281917#post6281917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chinaman4u
i moved a 45 gal tank by my self 10 ft; lifting. then placing a dowel under the tank. With several dowels, i was able to roll the tank over. If you can get a jack under there you should be able to slide a bunch of 1" dowels under it and roll it over moving the rearmost dowel to the front and so on.

Same here when I moved my tank excpet I used thick wall pvc piping. Just slide it under one end and push. Just have someone keep placing them under it as you go and it is not that bad.

[ConsultantERP]

Thanks everyone, If I end up doing this I will probably go with some 4 wheel dollies under each corner, or the old tried and true method of putting some sort of tube under the front as I roll it along. Anyway, I have a little more confidence now, Thanks again.

[barryhc]

Put wood dowels inside the PVC tubes, the wood will protect the PVC from collapsing, and the PVC will protect the wood from crushing at the surface, the best of both worlds! The wood does not need to be a "tight" fit, just close.

Best of luck!! > barryhc :)

[2crazyreefers]

I would use the thick wall pvc with a woden dowel as previous stated. I used this method before moving a 1,000 lb safe and it worked great even through rooms and corners.

[brian3]

How could you lift it evenly without twisting and cracking or splitting the tank at the seams? It is one thing when it is 40 gallons but 360???

[superidgit]

hey if seen Rolls of paper that weighed several tons being moved around a floor by one person. The rolls of paper sat on a piece curved wood about the length, width, and height of a small shoe box lid. The curved piece of wood gave a very small area of surface contact with the floor. Maybe you could use several. Also i delivered Furniture and one person could move a 600ilb china cabinet with ease buy just placing a blanket under it and sliding it across the floor by tuggin on the blanket. A 60 year old lady taught me that we she moved her fridge by her self across her kitchen so she could clean behind it=)

[Rykna]

I moved my 90 gallon half full. It was a horrible. The tank sprung a leak, caused by the stress of moving the beast half full, and I ended up having to by a brand new tank. I would suggest gettign several( in your case many) large plastic garbage cans, save as much water as you can, move occupants into buckets, or the garbage cans, remove as much as you can! Substate and all. Have a hefty amount of help when you do this 8 people minimal. You might even consider asking assitacne from a local pet store that moves and sets up fish tanks(pricey though). Let me know how it went!
Good Luck,
Rykna

[crazzyreefer]

the beauty of a glide is its only 1/2 inch high, putting it on a dolly is risky to say the least.

[Jnasty31]

Good luck!!! I dont see how ur not going to crack or split this tank!...... I'd drain it for sure. Start fresh... Like u said you depend on this tank. Dont risk it!!

[ConsultantERP]

They way to avoid causing a leak is to move it with the stand, or in my case, I will build some extra supports on the bottom of my home made stand so when I lift 1 end (not a corner) the entire tank goes with it. Also, if I use the method of putting rollers under, I will probably be lifting it only a few inchs.

[ConsultantERP]

One more thought, I will definety be removing 90% of the water, and I will probably use a few power head to help keep the rock wet, kind of a spraying action. With the water it weighs close too 4000 LBS, without the water it drops to about 1800 LBS, which is much more manageable from the standpoint of equipment to move the tank. This is good everyone, any other toughts will all be helpfull.

[sealife]

good luck i dont know how you are going to move it i had a hell of time moving my 225 with no water or rock

[crazzyreefer]

dont need to wet the rock or corals, infact if you wet them you will remove the slime protective coating. you have a few hours to refill the tank.

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

good luck, keep us posted.

[allstar.h2o]

Maybe you could use 2x4s and a screw jack. I moved my 100 gal across the room like this. Brace the wall with a piece of 2x4 and also the tank not screwed or glued just so the jack doesnt go through the wall or stand. Place an automotice screw jack between and the tank will move 18 inches or so. Add 18 inch piece of wood screw jack again, then 36 inch wood and so on. You should remove water as 4000lbs is heavy.

[allstar.h2o]

Yeah good luck though!

[ConsultantERP]

This move will happen between Feb 15 and Mar 1, I will let everyone know the results and the method used. Likely some heavy duty 4 wheel carts or the old method of rolling it over something round, I am thinking some thick wall condiut at the moment. thanks again all, and wish me luck, I think I will need a little. And yes, Iwill remove 90% of the water during the move.

[reefpeep2004]

It's your tank, so if you want to use dowels or carts I guess you can, BUT, the silicone type of furniture hard surface glides will work MUCH better IMO. They can even move a car.

[ConsultantERP]

huh, So you think those teflon or silicone pads that you slide furniture around with would hold about 1800 lbs. It sure would mean alot less lifting of the aquarium which is what is likely to causes leaks

[ConsultantERP]

Of course, you did say they would move a car.

[scbadiver]

I used those little disks to move a 75 show. It took us 14 minutes to move it across carpet about 12 feet. we pumped out half the water into another tank, tilted it back slightly and stuck 4 small disks on the front of the stand and then the other way for the back. 2 of us gently slid it right where I wanted it and pumped the water back in. we moved nothing in the tank and lost nothing. With a johnson bar or a big prybar you could probably do about the same. Incedently, it was old crappy thick shag carpet we moved it off of (the reason for the move. gosh it was ugly carpet)

[Kent E]

Is there aling to these discs your mentioning?

[scbadiver]

No. I just found them at lowes or HD...I don't remember which. That was several years and many beers ago but it was one or the other. they were cheap too. Just some kinda funiture glide disk about an inch and 1/4 diameter with double face tape on them. I wasn't sure they'd work but for the price I tried it and was quite impressed. it was less $10 for the 8 of them.

[Kent E]

Oh I know what your talking about, very clever.

[Gwoardnog]

I'd get a few of the 100g rubbermaid tubs, transfer everything to those, then move the tank and transfer back.

Good luck getting those pucks under the 1 ton piece of furniture (not saying it couldn't be done, but ouch).

[KH971]

The best one is down at this manufacturing plant, I have seen them pry up a side of a 10,000 lb machine and put 4 pieces of fatback on the corners and slide them by hand and spin them in place on concrete floors.

[atreis]

Those little silicone disks are a marvel. I moved a completely filled 60 using those with no problems. I think the biggest problem you'll have with those is lifting the stand in the first place to get them under. I did this by using a lever to very slightly tilt the tank backwards, sliding the disks under, then tilting it forwards and sliding the disks under the back. You have to be careful not to go too far of course. :-) Once the disks are there though, you should be able to move the tank and stand without much problem and very little chance of damaging the tank, and you can just leave the disks there.

I wouldn't bother with spraying the rock to keep it wet. Assuming it only takes you a couple hours after you've emptied the tank to get it filled back up again, the rocks will be fine without spraying.

[scbadiver]

YEP, what Atreis sez! We had everything in place and ready when we moved mine and like I said, from the time we started pumping water down to half way, put the disks under, moved and started pumping backfull took only 14 minutes. The only thing I moved inside tank was a few softies from the higher parts so they wouldn't tear. We timed ourselves only for the fun of it. My helper was an ER nurse at time and everything ad a "golden time" as he said.

[Chads29]

so how did it turn out? have you tried it yet? I would not try to move it with water in it myself but hey if you do it more power to you. good luck.

[Fast Fred]

If the Teflon corner pads don't work, try getting 3 or more sheets of thin (maybe 1/32" or so) of Teflon sheeting. Place a thin coat of oil between 2 sheets and sanwich them together. Place 2 of the sheets, one on top of the other, under the tank. Place the 3rd sheet in front of the tank in the direction you plan to move it. Slide the tank and the top sheet onto sheet #3. Hopscotch the sheets until you get the tank where you want it. Be sure to keep a thin coat of oil between the sheets.

In the USAF, we move aircraft that weigh several tons this way.

Good luck, and let us know of your success and how you did it.

[causeofhim]

The teflon corner pads work well on carpet with ligher things like dressers and smaller tanks but, on concrete, with a tank this size, I would be very cautious.
If it is your buisness, why not contact an engineer?

[tigershark4]

I don't know if you have moved your tank yet or not. I recommend you look into straps to move appliances. they go over your shoulders and over a person on the other side. you stand up and it lifts up enough for you to move your tank. this is what Sears uses. good luck

[causeofhim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6764814#post6764814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tigershark4
I don't know if you have moved your tank yet or not. I recommend you look into straps to move appliances. they go over your shoulders and over a person on the other side. you stand up and it lifts up enough for you to move your tank. this is what Sears uses. good luck
Yeah! Then get 1000 of your friends to help you lift it.:p

[Adam]

Another suggestion....

Take some cues from house movers. If the stand is open, run a couple of large beams (wood or steel) through the stand like outriggers and jack up the beams to lift the tank off the floor. This will allow you to get your sliders or an industrial dolly underneath. This assumes of course that the beams and structure of the stand are robust enough to handle the weight.

Also.... a big block and tackle (or come-alongs) will allow you to move the tank slowly and smoothly instead of the jerky movement you might get from simply getting 10 people to push on it.

You might also consider talking to piano movers to find out about big dollies, etc.

HTH

Adam

[dxtr]

If you have not moved it yet, check witha local moving company to see if they can rent or loan you something called a "safe jack"

They are basically two dolly type things that you slip under each side of a safe (or tank), you can strap the tank to the safe jacks, and raise the tank up on the wheels of the safe jacks.

Try searching websites for New Haven Equipment and/or grainger so you can get a visual of what I am refrencing.

Other than that, I'd say drain about 1/2 the water, bribe about 8 of your friends and good luck!

Dxtr

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6290010#post6290010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rykna
I moved my 90 gallon half full. It was a horrible. The tank sprung a leak, caused by the stress of moving the beast half full, and I ended up having to by a brand new tank. I would suggest gettign several( in your case many) large plastic garbage cans, save as much water as you can, move occupants into buckets, or the garbage cans, remove as much as you can! Substate and all. Have a hefty amount of help when you do this 8 people minimal. You might even consider asking assitacne from a local pet store that moves and sets up fish tanks(pricey though). Let me know how it went!
Good Luck,
Rykna Thanks for that post - my carpet people had me convinced they could handle this - everybody thinks I'm crazy for wanting to carpet around the tank

[memito]

No offense, but I really can't believe that people are really talking about moving a tank - of any size - full of sand and rock - and 10% water - especially a 360 gallon tank.

I am no expert, but I know that tanks can suffer from micro fractures just from sitting on a slightly uneven surface. Even if a 10%-full move is "successful" who knows what sort of micro (or even macro) factures you might have subjected the tank to.

I am of the opinion - as much as you don't want to probably hear this - that you should take the tank apart, put all of the inhabitants and LR/LS in rubbermaid containers and then move the tank completely empty. I understand that is a complete hassle, but there won't be a lurking potential problem that could be at the least a leaky tank and at the worst a surprise explosion due to fractures incurred during a "loaded" move.

Good luck.

[rustybucket145]

Be sure to set up the video camera!!! America's Funniest Videos Here We Come!!!!!:beer:

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6849162#post6849162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rustybucket145
Be sure to set up the video camera!!! America's Funniest Videos Here We Come!!!!!:beer: LOL
But seriously - good thinking!

[Untamed12]

If the video is good, the prize money might break even on the cost of the new tank! (sorry..bad humour. I seriously hope that you have no troubles whatsoever with the move)

[ratboy]

I agree with memito. I have a 360 oceanic tank that took 8 HUGE guys to move the tank -- empty. And that was after I had 3 piano moving companies accept the job then back out when they saw the beast. My tank is 3/4" glass (double up on the bottom) so it probably weighs over 1000# empty. If you try to move it and it decides to tilt there is no way you can stop it and if it broke you could kill anyone in the way that is helping you. The 2 hours you will save by not draining the tank are nowhere near worth having to replace such an expensive aquarium.

[fishtk75]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6836808#post6836808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by memito
No offense, but I really can't believe that people are really talking about moving a tank - of any size - full of sand and rock - and 10% water - especially a 360 gallon tank.

I am no expert, but I know that tanks can suffer from micro fractures just from sitting on a slightly uneven surface. Even if a 10%-full move is "successful" who knows what sort of micro (or even macro) factures you might have subjected the tank to.

I am of the opinion - as much as you don't want to probably hear this - that you should take the tank apart, put all of the inhabitants and LR/LS in rubbermaid containers and then move the tank completely empty. I understand that is a complete hassle, but there won't be a lurking potential problem that could be at the least a leaky tank and at the worst a surprise explosion due to fractures incurred during a "loaded" move.

Good luck.

Yes please do this empty.
Put all in 45-50 gal trash cans with small power heads,heaters and small lights for the coral.
It will be as a natural ocean storms on the ocean floors it comes back even stronger.
That is what I amy going to do to move my 75.
Better to be safe then sorry and lose the whole tank and your back.

[Roland Jacques]

sounds lazy and crazy.

you don't want your corals or fish in a tank with moving shifting and falling rock......

unless your stand is over biult like crazy this should not even be conciderded

the stress on the stand (and tank)will be bad assmuing your floor is completely perfectlylevel (not).

[ConsultantERP]

And here are the results,

I emptied the tank of all water, fish and coral.
Disconnected anything the could be disconnected


The stand is made of 2x6 lumber and very sturdy, so what we did was jack up one side 1-1/2 inches and put a 2x4 under 2 legs, after that we went to the other side and did the same thing. We went from side to side until we were able to put a 4 wheel furniture dolly under each leg. At this point the tank was fairly easy to roll around with 2 people pushing and 1 person steering.

Here is where the problems started.

The tank has a footprint of 4 feet X 6 feet and those furniture dollys do not roll very smoothly. As a result the tank experienced some twisting when we started or stopped the moving. The end result is that I had a couple of leaks. Not bad leaks (5 gallons a day) but leaks non the less. I am now in the process of resealing the bottom edge and hope to have it up and running again soon.


I very much appreciated everyones help and warnings about how I should do this. I guess the real point is that it had to be done and regardless of the way it was moved, if I did not completely empty the tank of rock and sand then there was going to be some weight that could cause shifting or twisting of the tank.

Again, thank you everyone. :D

[ChemE]

Sorry to hear that it wasn't a total success. I hope sealing the leaks goes smoothly so that you can get back up and running in short order. Best of luck.

Chris

[memito]

I too am sorry that it didn't work out. Hopefully the repairs will go smoothly.

Good luck.