Moving The Tank...

[Jolieve]

So... all newbies make mistakes, right? Mine... was placing the tank only four inches away from the wall behind it. I need better skimming, the only way I am getting a hang on overflow behind the tank, or even a bigger skimmer.. is to move the tank further out from the wall. My tank is a 75 gallon acrylic tank. Lots of live rock, 4" deep sand bed and a remora (not the remora pro, just the remora) as filtration.

*deep breath* The general plan of action is to remove the water down to the rock, place the rock in a brand new large rubbermaid garbage can filled with water. remove some more water, put heater in second large garbage can. Catch fish and shrimp. Place in rubbermaid garbage can without rock. Drain tank down as close as we can get to the sand. Carefully, and with much fear and concern in the heart, tear the tank down to the empty stand... and the tank with sand in it alone. Gently lift up the edge of the stand, with the tank on top, across the floor, move it out the distance we need to move it. Begin replacing the live rock, heater, water... fish, shrimp... I will also take this opportunity to scrub the rock of the various algae and polish out a few interior scratches on the tank... and then... we'll start making the necessary purchases for the sump and new skimmer.

I am so scared of moving my tank. So, so scared. I am worried about... well a plethora of things. Words of wisdom, advice and encouragement would be most welcome. Is this a bad idea? Is there a way to secure the tank to the stand so that it doesn't slide around very much while we move it? Will it slide around much with all the sand weight in the bottom?

Thanks guys. *hugs*
J.

 

[JennM]

"Just do it."

We move tanks all the time - from house to house etc. Sounds like you have thought it all out - as long as you have a plan, you should be fine.

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't take the sand or the base rock out. I moved my glass 75, while still mounted on the stand, all the way across town.

The rest of your plan sounds solid.

Good luck!

Louey

 

[Quigonsean]

Well I got a bad back like 100%disability, and I got a 75. With it filled with water and rock I had to pull it further out. So I sat on the floor next to it, grabbed the bottom put my feet on the wall behind it and pushed with my legs. Out she moved no problem, just don't over shoot doing that way cause getting it back ain't as easy.

Sean

 

[reefann]

WOW Quigonsean that sounds hella risky.
Just be sure not to put your legs through the wall!
_________________
apollo mist plants
_________________
Arthritis Forum

 

[Anonymous]

I had to move mine not too long ago for about the same reason.. I didn't remove a thing and managed to drag my 30 with 10g sump about 3 ft!

I used a hydraulic floor jack and a 4ft 2x4 as a lever on a low-lying stand brace to lift one end just a 1/4" off the floor thereby removing enough friction to drag it a few inches at a time.

The only thing that went wrong was that when I initially put the stand in place I didn't make sure the floor was completely free of debris and a small rock was pinned under the side that carried the weight, leaving a slight gouge in the hardwood floor from the drag...

 

[reefann]

a small rock was pinned under the side that carried the weight, leaving a slight gouge in the hardwood floor from the drag

Ouch, was a significant present for that?
I can see the excuses already.
No honey that was there before, dont you remeber
_________________
Mercedes A Class
_________________
Honda Trailsport

 

[Jolieve]

Thanks for the advice and the support. The tank has been moved and now I can fit an overflow behind it so I can get a better skimmer! Woohoo!

I also reworked the rock structure a bit and I think it looks neat, will post pics as soon as I find my ir port for my camera...

Thanks so much everyone! *hugs*
J.

 

[Anonymous]

Ouch, was a significant present for that?
I can see the excuses already.
No honey that was there before, dont you remeber

I wish I could get away with that! The house is just barely over a year old...

And to top it off, since I did such a lousy job of planning (it's my first reef) I'm going to be moving the tank downstairs until I can make it look a little more "finished" and "presentable" thereby exposing this scratch just all that much more. (I'm hoping a little wax/oil rubbed into it will hide it some..)

But ummm.. yeah, the woman doesn't want her family (who are coming for xmas) to see the "science experiment" my "2x4 tank" has become..

 

[Jolieve]

Good luck moving that tank. As far as the scratch in the hard wood, give it a good rub with old english oil, that will make it's appearance somewhat more like the actual finish in your floor and should minimize it's effect.

J.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks! - I sure hope so! - Especially considering she hasn't come up with any ideas on what to put in it's place to cover it up.. :lol:

Glad your move went well... - Considering I'm a computer geek by profession I wish I could lend some advice on the camera but I have -0- experience with any of them that have an IR port..

 

[Jolieve]

My camera would actually be.. my cell phone ;-) No big thing, just need to find the ir port (it's a external usb device) and hook it up

J.