First Reef Rank - 150g SCA - How do I get it inside?

GreenbriarManor · 07/02/2018, 11:17 AM

Hi all,

I'm embarking on my first reef tank - doing a 150g SCA Starfire.

Once the truck delivers the tank, assuming they won't move it into the garage from the street, what's the easiest way to get it inside? I don't need to put it on the stand or even go up any stairs. I just need to move it from the curb to the house.

I haven't had a tank shipped to me before, so I don't know how it arrives. On a pallet? Just in a well padded box? I don't know what to expect.

I was hoping I can use a furniture dolly, the square flat ones you might move a refrigerator with? Or can I use a hand truck on the side, tilt it back, and gently roll it in? Or is the best bet to just grab a neighbor and carry it in?

Unlike just a bare tank I'm assuming the packing/shipping materials will make it a little easier to move (as opposed to renting suction cups).

(trying to prepare myself mentally for this

Thanks in advance for your expertise,
J

GreenbriarManor · 07/02/2018, 11:23 AM

That said, I just realized Home Depot rents a pallet jack for $25!

That might be the way to go.

MondoBongo · 07/02/2018, 11:33 AM

i don't know how it will be packed, but as far as moving it goes, a couple strong friends if usually how i go.

your LFS may also have some suggestions on paid help should the need arise.

i've also seen people recommend piano moving companies if you need more hired hands.

scenaria · 07/02/2018, 12:04 PM

Expect a pallet jack to weigh as much as the tank. So if you intend to rent on you will have figure out a way to get it home.

I just paid my lawn guy an extra $50 and he brought 3 helpers on his next visit and moved it for me.

mcgyvr · 07/02/2018, 12:09 PM

A few friends goes a long way here.. A 150G tank can easily be moved by 2 or 3 individuals.. I've moved a 120G with just my wife and I..
A couple moving straps/furniture dolly,etc....

I wouldn't use a pallet jack for an application like this unless I had flat ground with no thresholds..

Thornbreaker · 07/02/2018, 12:13 PM

I have a SCA 150. The guy on the truck was kind enough to use his pallet dolly to roll it to my garage. From there I used flat furniture dolly (less than $20 from HD) to roll it into the house. 2 strong guys could lift it as it's about 330lbs. But may want 4 guys to make it easy. I had 3 friends help me get it on my stand which is built in-wall.

And great choice by the way. I'm well pleased with the service and my 150.

thegrun · 07/02/2018, 05:22 PM

...and it will likely just be in it's factory box which has a factory pallet type base. The truckers may strap it on a wood pallet which can easily be removed by cutting the straps of shrink-wrap.

davocean · 07/02/2018, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thornbreaker

I have a SCA 150. The guy on the truck was kind enough to use his pallet dolly to roll it to my garage. From there I used flat furniture dolly (less than $20 from HD) to roll it into the house. 2 strong guys could lift it as it's about 330lbs. But may want 4 guys to make it easy. I had 3 friends help me get it on my stand which is built in-wall.

And great choice by the way. I'm well pleased with the service and my 150.

This, and sometimes the guy that delivers will even uncrate, or at least be right there as you open to inspect it, and I advise doing so if you can.

They are an awesome company to deal w/ and great CS, but no one is perfect, things happen in shipping, inspect it well while guy is there if you can.

I personally tip any delivery guy that does more than drop in driveway, 5-10 bucks goes a long way there, but that's just me.
Love my SCA!

lowtek · 07/02/2018, 08:53 PM

You can try those suction cup handles...a friend brother and myself managed to handle this beast below with 4 of those heavy duty suction cups. Since the tank is 32" deep x 22" tall we had to set the tank down, detach cups, put tank on its side' reattached the cups to get through 2 doorways. Not too strenuous for a bunch of upper 30 and 40 somethings.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

cincyjim · 07/03/2018, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thornbreaker

I have a SCA 150. The guy on the truck was kind enough to use his pallet dolly to roll it to my garage. From there I used flat furniture dolly (less than $20 from HD) to roll it into the house. 2 strong guys could lift it as it's about 330lbs. But may want 4 guys to make it easy. I had 3 friends help me get it on my stand which is built in-wall.

And great choice by the way. I'm well pleased with the service and my 150.

This is how I did mine too. Worked out real good.

Don't forget to get a 1/4" yoga mat to put on top of the stand for the tank to sit on. There's a real thin Styrofoam mat that comes with it but Steve recommends a yoga mat be used instead.

07/02/2018, 11:17 AM	#1
GreenbriarManor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 15	First Reef Rank - 150g SCA - How do I get it inside? Hi all, I'm embarking on my first reef tank - doing a 150g SCA Starfire. Once the truck delivers the tank, assuming they won't move it into the garage from the street, what's the easiest way to get it inside? I don't need to put it on the stand or even go up any stairs. I just need to move it from the curb to the house. I haven't had a tank shipped to me before, so I don't know how it arrives. On a pallet? Just in a well padded box? I don't know what to expect. I was hoping I can use a furniture dolly, the square flat ones you might move a refrigerator with? Or can I use a hand truck on the side, tilt it back, and gently roll it in? Or is the best bet to just grab a neighbor and carry it in? Unlike just a bare tank I'm assuming the packing/shipping materials will make it a little easier to move (as opposed to renting suction cups). (trying to prepare myself mentally for this Thanks in advance for your expertise, J

07/02/2018, 11:33 AM	#3
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	i don't know how it will be packed, but as far as moving it goes, a couple strong friends if usually how i go. your LFS may also have some suggestions on paid help should the need arise. i've also seen people recommend piano moving companies if you need more hired hands. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

07/02/2018, 12:09 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	A few friends goes a long way here.. A 150G tank can easily be moved by 2 or 3 individuals.. I've moved a 120G with just my wife and I.. A couple moving straps/furniture dolly,etc.... I wouldn't use a pallet jack for an application like this unless I had flat ground with no thresholds.. __________________ Who me?

07/02/2018, 05:22 PM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	First Reef Rank - 150g SCA - How do I get it inside? ...and it will likely just be in it's factory box which has a factory pallet type base. The truckers may strap it on a wood pallet which can easily be removed by cutting the straps of shrink-wrap. Last edited by thegrun; 07/02/2018 at 05:28 PM.

07/02/2018, 11:23 AM	#2
GreenbriarManor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 15	That said, I just realized Home Depot rents a pallet jack for $25! That might be the way to go.

07/02/2018, 12:04 PM	#4
scenaria Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Austin, tx Posts: 226 Blog Entries: 1	Expect a pallet jack to weigh as much as the tank. So if you intend to rent on you will have figure out a way to get it home. I just paid my lawn guy an extra $50 and he brought 3 helpers on his next visit and moved it for me.

07/02/2018, 12:13 PM	#6
Thornbreaker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 334	I have a SCA 150. The guy on the truck was kind enough to use his pallet dolly to roll it to my garage. From there I used flat furniture dolly (less than $20 from HD) to roll it into the house. 2 strong guys could lift it as it's about 330lbs. But may want 4 guys to make it easy. I had 3 friends help me get it on my stand which is built in-wall. And great choice by the way. I'm well pleased with the service and my 150.

07/02/2018, 08:53 PM	#9
lowtek Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 111	You can try those suction cup handles...a friend brother and myself managed to handle this beast below with 4 of those heavy duty suction cups. Since the tank is 32" deep x 22" tall we had to set the tank down, detach cups, put tank on its side' reattached the cups to get through 2 doorways. Not too strenuous for a bunch of upper 30 and 40 somethings. Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk