Moving Large Tanks in Tight Space

[Wandering Albatross]

Good evening all,

Is it safe to stand a glass 150g 60x24x24 up on its end temporarily to pivot it around a corner in limited space? Yes, it's designed to hold a ton of weight in water, but I'm concerned with its 300-some-odd pounds being applied to one end and/or its corners. If there were room, I would absolutely have it carried upright the whole way. It needs to come from a garage, up 2 steps on the porch, then down 8 more steps and around a snug corner to its new home. There is no room on either side for people to carry on the stairs, only the ends. I'd like to think it won't hurt anything to stand up, but I'm a touch gun shy about it.

Am I worrying needlessly? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Blessings

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you'll be good, just be careful and don't slam it down in its short side, obviously. Maybe have some foam or padding or even blankets strategically placed where you're going to set the tank down. I believe I'll be using the same "technique" when I move my 150 in the house from the garage.

You can get the suction cup handles for moving glass too, that may help here.

Good luck!

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I think you'll be good, just be careful and don't slam it down in its short side, obviously. Maybe have some foam or padding or even blankets strategically placed where you're going to set the tank down. I believe I'll be using the same "technique" when I move my 150 in the house from the garage.

You can get the suction cup handles for moving glass too, that may help here.

Good luck!

Thats a good point about the padding. I still have the foam that it shipped in, it's 1-2 inches thick. I made it very clear to who all will be helping move it that if they slam it around, they'll have to buy a new one. They thought it was funny till they realized how much it cost...:face-with-rolling-eyes:

I'm a little leery of the suction cups, even though I have seen them used on this same tank style. We were thinking either load it vertical on a dolly and slide it down the stairs, or lay it on its bottom and slide it down, stand it up at the bottom, pivot, and lift it back up and get it on the stand. The biggest problem is getting it around the corner. If it can't pivot up on its end safely long enough to get the guys situated to pick it back up, I'll have to run them out the long way.

Thanks for the info!

Blessings

 

[Fish Fan]

If it were me, and you have the wiggle room, I'd move it while it's still in the box with the foam. That's my plan. I opened the box enough to inspect it on delivery, but left all the foam in place.

 

[knappe]

I moved a 60x18x26 into my basement and had to pivot it on its side. I really don't think you're going to run into any problems. The foam is a good suggestion, to avoid any issues around bumping corners or whatever. I'd really avoid the suction cups as they can give out without notice and with disastrous consequences.

 

[BryanM]

Padding and extremely careful.

I also think it is fine, but when glass pops, it pops big.

I stood a 60” on its end and didn’t regret it, just have to be very careful.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

If it were me, and you have the wiggle room, I'd move it while it's still in the box with the foam. That's my plan. I opened the box enough to inspect it on delivery, but left all the foam in place.

Originally we wanted to carry the whole pallet in, but it just won’t fit. I wish I had the wiggle room lol

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Padding and extremely careful.

I also think it is fine, but when glass pops, it pops big.

I stood a 60” on its end and didn’t regret it, just have to be very careful.

Just for kick how thick was the glass?

 

[BryanM]

Just for kick how thick was the glass?

1/2” think on that tank

 

[Waters]

I had to do exactly that with a 3/4" glass Cade 1800. Biggest thing, as others stated is to use lots of padding on the ground. Doesn't take much to chip the edges of the glass....especially if the floor is tile. Also, definitely recommend the suction cups...would not have been able to move it without those.

 

[Fish Fan]

I had to do exactly that with a 3/4" glass Cade 1800. Biggest thing, as others stated is to use lots of padding on the ground. Doesn't take much to chip the edges of the glass....especially if the floor is tile. Also, definitely recommend the suction cups...would not have been able to move it without those.

I agree with the suction cup handles if the tank is not still in the box. A good set should not just fail while using them.

 

[BryanM]

There was no chance of moving my waterbox w/o suction cups.

 

[Fish Fan]

There was no chance of moving my waterbox w/o suction cups.

I get that, but I've moved huge mirrors with them once before, and I know others use them for tanks. I'm just saying if there's room and the tank is out of it's packaging, I think they'd be really helpful.

 

[Waters]

I get that, but I've moved huge mirrors with them once before, and I know others use them for tanks. I'm just saying if there's room and the tank is out of it's packaging, I think they'd be really helpful.

I think you guys are saying the same thing lol ;)

 

[JumboShrimp]

Harbor Freight moving blankets are very cheap, and folded up make a good landing/pivot spot for the tank. (Also if you are tired of your bedroom pillows and need new ones anyway, pillows are great.)

 

[Fish Fan]

Harbor Freight moving blankets are very cheap, and folded up make a good landing/pivot spot for the tank. (Also if you are tired of your bedroom pillows and need new ones anyway, pillows are great.)

Harbor freight also has the suction cups, and they do get good reviews, though I’ve never used those.

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you guys are saying the same thing lol ;)

D’oh! I did read @bryanm’s reply as he couldn’t do it with the suction cups, I assumed because of space going through a doorway, for example. My eyes are not always great, good catch :)

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I agree with the suction cup handles if the tank is not still in the box. A good set should not just fail while using them.

It’s still in the box, but will not be possible to move it boxed, it has to come out unfortunately. I’ll see if I can shape the box down to do a dry run for clearance, but our measurements have it coming in just short. Little room + these knuckleheads = issues lol. We’re hoping to be able to tip it up. If not on its end, might get someone tall enough to just get the angle right. The only other option is to offload it from the back deck and walk around the back of the house through the yard, which isn’t exactly even.

 

[Fish Fan]

It’s still in the box, but will not be possible to move it boxed, it has to come out unfortunately. I’ll see if I can shape the box down to do a dry run for clearance, but our measurements have it coming in just short. Little room + these knuckleheads = issues lol. We’re hoping to be able to tip it up. If not on its end, might get someone tall enough to just get the angle right. The only other option is to offload it from the back deck and walk around the back of the house through the yard, which isn’t exactly even.

I feel you. I know I'm going to have a heck of a time getting mine where I want it to go too. I don't even know who will help me lift it yet lol! Just go slowly and be careful, I think you'll be fine.

 

[BryanM]

So, I hired a local LFS to get my waterbox infinia 230.6 installed and do the tank transfer. There was more bad than good in the story, but I still needed the help and the job eventually got done.

The thing that sealed the deal (also gave me a heart attack) was that they had a manual lift. Like a mini forklift.

So suction cups from the garage in to the house. lift in to the house right next to the stand. suction cups to get the tank on the lift.

Crank crank crank - POP (Heart attack, thank god it was just a bad sound and not the lift giving out). match height of stand, suction cup slide it over.