Need your opinion?

an411 · 10/19/2007, 10:55 AM

I am thinking about getting rid of my carpets in my house I have a 120 gallon tank setup on the rug all I have is fish and cleanup crew in there. Would I be better off getting this done before I get more stuff in there cause I assume that I am going to have to move all the stuff out of this tank?

Unless you guys think that this tank can be moved someway with some of the water in it. maybe somehow get it on a dolly or something?

Any input on this would be appreciated

der_wille_zur_macht · 10/19/2007, 11:07 AM

What are you going to replace the carpets with? If it's something that goes in quick and is ready the minute it's down, you might be able to pull something off. However, if it's something that requires setting time (think: tile or unfinished hardwood) then you're gonna have to plan for several days out of commission.

Either way, probably better to do it before you get anything sensitive.

If it's something quick, I'd suggest approaching it like a big water change. Leave the carpet under the tank, but remove it from the rest of the room and put the new flooring down right up to the tank. Drain 80 - 90% of the water and transfer fish to the container you drain into. Throw an airpump on that container. If the water starts getting murky as you drain, just discard the murky water and try to keep a small container of good water for the fish.

Then, slide the tank carefully onto the finished flooring, rip up the patch of carpet, put new flooring down, and slide the tank back into position. Once it is in place, put the clean water back, and make up the difference with freshly mixed, heated, and aerated saltwater (make it up beforehand of course!). Even 10 - 20g of water, rock, and sand in the tank can weigh several hundred pounds, but you should be able to slide it on carpet when it's drained down low - I've done this before with tanks up to 125g. Just go s-l-o-w-l-y and be careful - don't push on the top of the tank or it'll topple over. Try to push on the stand itself.

If the new flooring is something that will mar easily, put a piece of cardboard down first.

an411 · 10/19/2007, 11:11 AM

Yeah I am not sure exactly what I am going to put down I was thinking pre finished hardwood I am actually reading up on it now. But yeah it would be as you said do up to the tank move it for a couple hours till the hardwood is in place then move it back. I hate carpets especially white with a dog that likes to play in the mud. the good thing about it is I know where she is when she comes inside LOL

der_wille_zur_macht · 10/19/2007, 11:23 AM

Be sure to keep your dog's nails trimmed or you'll be refinishing your new hardwood in no time flat!

Whatever you do, be sure to have lots of premixed, parameter-matched, heated, and aerated saltwater on hand, and move slowly. Try to disturb the substrate as little as possible. If it's gonna be more than half an hour (probably will be) put some wet newspaper over any live rock that's exposed while the tank is drained.

papagimp · 10/19/2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by an411
Unless you guys think that this tank can be moved someway with some of the water in it. maybe somehow get it on a dolly or something?

I moved my 55g with all the rock still in it, and about a foot of water still. I thought i was going to fill my diaper by the time i scooched it 5 feet away. I don't recommend trying this with a 120 at all! lol.

10/19/2007, 10:55 AM	#1
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Need your opinion? I am thinking about getting rid of my carpets in my house I have a 120 gallon tank setup on the rug all I have is fish and cleanup crew in there. Would I be better off getting this done before I get more stuff in there cause I assume that I am going to have to move all the stuff out of this tank? Unless you guys think that this tank can be moved someway with some of the water in it. maybe somehow get it on a dolly or something? Any input on this would be appreciated

10/19/2007, 11:07 AM	#2
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	What are you going to replace the carpets with? If it's something that goes in quick and is ready the minute it's down, you might be able to pull something off. However, if it's something that requires setting time (think: tile or unfinished hardwood) then you're gonna have to plan for several days out of commission. Either way, probably better to do it before you get anything sensitive. If it's something quick, I'd suggest approaching it like a big water change. Leave the carpet under the tank, but remove it from the rest of the room and put the new flooring down right up to the tank. Drain 80 - 90% of the water and transfer fish to the container you drain into. Throw an airpump on that container. If the water starts getting murky as you drain, just discard the murky water and try to keep a small container of good water for the fish. Then, slide the tank carefully onto the finished flooring, rip up the patch of carpet, put new flooring down, and slide the tank back into position. Once it is in place, put the clean water back, and make up the difference with freshly mixed, heated, and aerated saltwater (make it up beforehand of course!). Even 10 - 20g of water, rock, and sand in the tank can weigh several hundred pounds, but you should be able to slide it on carpet when it's drained down low - I've done this before with tanks up to 125g. Just go s-l-o-w-l-y and be careful - don't push on the top of the tank or it'll topple over. Try to push on the stand itself. If the new flooring is something that will mar easily, put a piece of cardboard down first. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

10/19/2007, 11:23 AM	#4
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Be sure to keep your dog's nails trimmed or you'll be refinishing your new hardwood in no time flat! Whatever you do, be sure to have lots of premixed, parameter-matched, heated, and aerated saltwater on hand, and move slowly. Try to disturb the substrate as little as possible. If it's gonna be more than half an hour (probably will be) put some wet newspaper over any live rock that's exposed while the tank is drained. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

10/19/2007, 11:11 AM	#3
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Yeah I am not sure exactly what I am going to put down I was thinking pre finished hardwood I am actually reading up on it now. But yeah it would be as you said do up to the tank move it for a couple hours till the hardwood is in place then move it back. I hate carpets especially white with a dog that likes to play in the mud. the good thing about it is I know where she is when she comes inside LOL