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.

[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]

Originally posted 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.