How do I move my tank?

[Daphne's_Reef]

I have a 40 breeder. I've kinda decided I'd like to move it to another room in my house. It'd let me use the space in my bedroom a bit better, I won't need to be so paranoid that even with the lid my birds will find their way into it, and the spot I want to move it won't have it directly over the outlet any longer. My DIY stand has been holding up for a couple years now, but I'm still always a touch paranoid (ahhh, good old anxiety disorders Gotta love them!)

I'm 99% certain I can physically lift the tank, since I was just able to pick the one this one replaced up (also a 40 breeder, but a lot older, but it WAS on the ground, and not a couple feet off the ground). I don't have sand, so I was thinking to pull the rock, put some water with it, pull/discard 5 gallons for a water change (eh, have the pre-mixed salt, so why not?) with as much of the grunge from the bottom as I can suction out, then pull ALL the water into buckets, haul the stand and tank into the other room, and refill it. Is that a solid plan, or is there a better way to do it? What sort of time limit should I give myself? Like, if I haul everything apart and want to take a 15 minute break to drink some water, is that going to hurt anything, or since it's only moving 50 feet or so instead of across town, will it be a non-issue that everything was just drastically disturbed?

 

[tmcca]

Your plan is fine. Make sure your tank is completely empty though. The bottom is tempered glass, so extreme caution. The tank should be lifted from the bottom and level. Tempered glass, even a slight bad angle can shatter it. It is stronger than standard glass, but the problems are the corners if this makes sense. That is why most manufacturers now use a foam to put under the tank to make the tank level to stand (rimless tanks though). I don't think frame tanks need it because of brace.

 

[Daphne's_Reef]

If that's the case, would it be safe to, when I pick it up, put it on the floor and drag/push it along? Might scuff up the rim some if I can't find something to put under it, but would keep me from needing to keep that big bulky thing from twisting.

 

[Mebbid]

If that's the case, would it be safe to, when I pick it up, put it on the floor and drag/push it along? Might scuff up the rim some if I can't find something to put under it, but would keep me from needing to keep that big bulky thing from twisting.

You can, but imho not really necessary. If you were gonna go that route get a moving blanket from harbor freight and set the tank on top of that, pull the blanket around. I've moved tanks alone from 40 breeders up to 75g but the 90 was too much, it's not fun, but it's doable and the risk of breaking isn't huge.

 

[Daphne's_Reef]

Thank you. Petco's tank sale is JUST over, so I don't really want to end up smashing the tank out of clumsiness if I can help it.

 

[Freenow54]

From the statements you make the tank is bare bottom no inhabitants just rock. f you empty the water out and no rock cant you find someone to help? Why be a hero . However as mentioned the sheer pressure is important ie twisting . To me its no different than when you first got it , but if you want to be ultra safe get a table you can drag smoothly or has casters . I dont like the idea of dragging . I know exactly the weight as I was and still am working on a 40 breeder made it a sump a9 which made it stronger mind you and at 72 was lifting it myself

 

[Daphne's_Reef]

There's no one who could help, unfortunately. Just me! When I brought it in, it was dry and I'm pretty sure I just had it on one side and "walked" it in. Obviously I wouldn't be getting every drop of water out of the tank, so turning it on one side would have all that saltwater sinking into my floor.

 

[Freenow54]

There's no one who could help, unfortunately. Just me! When I brought it in, it was dry and I'm pretty sure I just had it on one side and "walked" it in. Obviously I wouldn't be getting every drop of water out of the tank, so turning it on one side would have all that saltwater sinking into my floor.

That is unfortunate. So if you have yet to do it put a small table on a blanket . Shift the tank on the table and drag it slowly by pulling the blanket

 

[Boo Baker]

we have used scatter rugs before. turn them carpet side down tank goes on the non-slip material on the back. drags extremely easy. we have moved 180s this way

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think I would consider to empty the tank if I was alone.... All it takes is a small tilt when trying to gain your balance and all the sand and water rushes to that side and then oops. I know it sucks, but its the safest way IMO.

 

[Freenow54]

we have used scatter rugs before. turn them carpet side down tank goes on the non-slip material on the back. drags extremely easy. we have moved 180s this way

I don't want to deadlift a tank by myself at this stage its just a 40 so as I said I am doing that only because I can keep absolute control . as there are warnings on rimmed tanks not to lift by the rim so that means tilting the tank to establish a grip on the bottom . The key word in your post is " we " . For larger tanks you need help to eliminate any if you will Torque. For a 40 your idea is very good but I try to make things as easy as possible for physical reasons

 

[mfinn]

I've moved or replaced a couple tanks in my time.
One thing I've always found useful is a cheap holding tank to give you time to properly setup the new tank ( or old tank in a new location).
The cheap holding tank I use is those cheap plastic kids wading pools.
Normally $8-$12 or so.
Move all contents to a central location in the wading pool.
Move and clean up the tank. Set it up with the equipment.
Helps to have some extra pre-made saltwater.

 

[Boo Baker]

I think I would consider to empty the tank if I was alone.... All it takes is a small tilt when trying to gain your balance and all the sand and water rushes to that side and then oops. I know it sucks, but its the safest way IMO.

I don't want to deadlift a tank by myself at this stage its just a 40 so as I said I am doing that only because I can keep absolute control . as there are warnings on rimmed tanks not to lift by the rim so that means tilting the tank to establish a grip on the bottom . The key word in your post is " we " . For larger tanks you need help to eliminate any if you will Torque. For a 40 your idea is very good but I try to make things as easy as possible for physical reasons

My issue is I did not read the OP entire post! I am not sure I would ever move a tank with water over a 1/4 filled (or for those of you North of the boarder .25) I do like your table idea though

 

[Freenow54]

My issue is I did not read the OP entire post! I am not sure I would ever move a tank with water over a 1/4 filled (or for those of you North of the boarder .25) I do like your table idea though

I had a flood a number of years back . I had to pull up rug and underlay . Never put Carpet in a basement even though it was commercial grade. What a mess. So I had to move my 100 sump stand and all with it having fish in it rocks sand ...... It was quite an adventure done with jacks and 2 by 2 steel plates with large castors ( 4) on them . Even at that I had to move it super slow because of the wave effect.

 

[tmcca]

I had a flood a number of years back . I had to pull up rug and underlay . Never put Carpet in a basement even though it was commercial grade. What a mess. So I had to move my 100 sump stand and all with it having fish in it rocks sand ...... It was quite an adventure done with jacks and 2 by 2 steel plates with large castors ( 4) on them . Even at that I had to move it super slow because of the wave effect.

You didn’t have to pull padding unless it was a cat 3 water damage or a vapor lock underlay padding. They do usually put those in basement to prevent water coming up from ground. However, when you have a flood it prevents carpet to dry. The most important factor of flood water damage is use proper dehumidifier and fans to dry areas. I’m sorry if I hijacked this thread just wanted to point this out.

 

[tmcca]

I wanted to point this out if you want carpet in basement use Delta-FL and then padding this prevents moisture and has air gaps to prevent mold. Most installers use cheap vapor lock underlay and will fail eventually. Maybe it shouldn’t go in this thread if not sorry.

 

[Freenow54]

You didn’t have to pull padding unless it was a cat 3 water damage or a vapor lock underlay padding. They do usually put those in basement to prevent water coming up from ground. However, when you have a flood it prevents carpet to dry. The most important factor of flood water damage is use proper dehumidifier and fans to dry areas. I’m sorry if I hijacked this thread just wanted to point this out.

It was mould resistant. It was like squeezing a sponge. It came up and broke into chunks . Besides I had to move the tank to get the carpet up and is was licking up the drywall and trim. I opted to get laminate water proof flooring . The underlay was over twenty years old and not expensive initially

 

[tmcca]

Laminate waterproof is good, but it’s not what you think though. What it does is prevent moisture ground floor moisture seeping up to the surface. However, if you get a flood again, it needs to be removed completely. Hope you were aware of that. It’s better than carpet though.

 

[PJfish]

What area are you in?
Once you syphon water into buckets and put the live rock in them you literally have all day with no worries. Lids will help control spills. Can toss in battery air bubblers if you have fish. Wrasses will slide into cracks of rock and disappear so I do recommend keeping fish in separate buckets so water stays cleaner..
Those small furniture sliders are amazing can move hundreds of pounds super easy putting one under each leg.. Or them square wooden padded furniture dollies with four wheels can be rented or probably bought for the same price will work also... Oh remember to put the heater into a bucket of water or something don’t just take it out of water and set it down needs to cool down slowly. Take your time no rush!! If theres a local reef club in your area if so reach out Im sure you will get help this is an amazing hobby many people help each other!! Good luck

 

[tmcca]

One way to tell if carpet is vapor lock is remove carpet in corner if you see a plastic film on top or bottom of the pad it’s a vapor barrier and if you have flood that needs to come out. This is what I do for a living is water damage. You would be surprised on how many people try to argue with me from removing the flooring. They say well it’s waterproof. Yes and no. It’s waterproof from ground floor surface up. If area is wet it will prevent drying. It locks in moisture if this makes sense