Best Ideas for Moving a Full tank to a new Stand

[asonitez]

So TO set the record straight I do not for one second trust my Marineland stand. Although I have Reinforced it the best I could I have noticed now over the last 6/7 months that it has slowly been bending a slight bit. I am able and have the ability to build my own stand. The Only reason I purchased a stand was for the warranty purposes. I currently have easilly over 15K in corals and stuff inside the tank and I REEEEEEALY don't want to come home to a busted tank or stand.

I need some help figuring out what the best method of Moving a full tank to another stand would be. Heres what I'm thinking.


Rapidly Drain The tank and sump into 30 Gallon HomeDepot Trash Bins. Should take like 5 Trashbins to Drain all the water.

I have like 200lbs of rock. 1 30Gallon water change easilly takes out almost 1/4 of the water in my tank.

Remove the overflow Bulkheads.

Slide the Tank atop the stand out of its spot. Slide the New Stand in place.

Brute Force with like 3/4 guys lift the tank including sand and rock onto the new stand and slide it in place. Rapidly refill the tank.

 

[h2o]

Yeah u got it . but u need to take out the rock as well ,get a water change ready because there will be a small sand storm ones u move the tank and the dirt will come up so u need to dump it . Take a look in my tank tread first page u can see pics how I did my tank swap ,

 

[andylee]

Agree with above. 200lbs of rock will definitely be a problem if not removed. The weight distribution will be uneven on the bottom of the tank. If your movers are not perfectly synchronized and a piece slides against one of the sides, you will be in trouble.

 

[asonitez]

The rock is bonded together inside of the tank. It won't move at all unless I break the bonds. Sand Storm should be minimal I have Tropic Eden and by default its not "sandy at all" I turn it over quite a bit as well. you think 4 or 5 strapping guys can move it 8" onto the new stand and slide it in place?

 

[thirty6]

They probably could move into place, that's a big risk.
Nothing I do this hobby works out the way i preplan it, maybe it's just me!

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I think you may be underestimating the weight you're going to be lifting. Between the new y tank, the wet, heavy sand and 200 pounds of rock. It's also in my eyes NOT a good idea to slide a tank with weight in it. I think it would definately cause unwated stresses on the silicon joints.

Good luck either way. I hope you get it done with no issues

 

[asonitez]

I was a ble to slide the tank solo on top of the stand with rock and dry sand in it by myself. 5 Strapping guys sliding the tank sideways onto the new stand with a flat top should nto be that hard right? I mean the rock inside is literally bonded to each other they do not move. Not to say they CAN't but the tank itself is setup as a peninsula.

Here is what I'm moving

http://www.youtube.com/v/R60cP4oFCxM?


<object width="853" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R60cP4oFCxM?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R60cP4oFCxM?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

 

[Awibrandy]

Advice given above is great, and should be taken!!

I emptied my 155 of everything but the sand, had 3 strong EMT workers, and a big strong friend to help. They all strained while lifting my tank! I can't even begin to imagine to imagine what would've happened with the added weight of 200 lbs. of rock!!!
One could see the strain in their red faces, and bulging veins in their necks as they lifted the tank with just the sand in it!!!!!!!

 

[nanoreefer22]

Dry Rock + Dry sand is say 400lbs
Wet Rock + Wet Sand = now you're talking maybe 600+lbs

I wouldn't do it. Do it the right way, if the tank cracks or one of the seams is weakend by the move that's a lot of water to mop up

 

[asonitez]

fine..... F dis.. i'm upgrading.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Much better choice :lol2:

 

[noelskii]

fine..... F dis.. i'm upgrading.

best advice so far!

 

[MikeC]

Upgrade and use the old tank for your sump lol.:thrash::thrash:

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Most importantly , take your sweet time and make sure you have plenty of it to spare !! I went for my 54 bowfront to a near equal 57 rimless and it was a 7 hr project just moving one tank out and fitting in the other!!! All by myself and I only lost one fish!!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Great idea with the upgrade but like SWIB just said, budget your time wisely and make it happen and take it slow. I have done tank moves in a day and it can be done but you have to take your time and be careful.