Moving Large Tanks in Tight Space

[Wandering Albatross]

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.

I dread hearing anything even remotely like that sound! That’s the sound of broken dreams and an actively draining bank account…..

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Thanks everyone for the insights so far, it’s helping me shape my POA to get this thing to its new home! The stand is almost built, so moving day is almost upon us.

I may post a thread about my sump layout too for feedback. First sump ever so little nervous about getting it right. Mostly not wanting anything to run dry or the heaters to melt the baffles or explode (like a nightmare I had…) Although it sounds like there’s no single right answer for almost anything in this hobby.

 

[BryanM]

Thanks everyone for the insights so far, it’s helping me shape my POA to get this thing to its new home! The stand is almost built, so moving day is almost upon us.

I may post a thread about my sump layout too for feedback. First sump ever so little nervous about getting it right. Mostly not wanting anything to run dry or the heaters to melt the baffles or explode (like a nightmare I had…) Although it sounds like there’s no single right answer for almost anything in this hobby.

There is not. My first tank I did not understand sumps at all, baffles, all these different areas, and I just gutted it.

With the exception of the skimmer, it was perfect. I had to get a stand to raise the skimmer (because I removed the baffles!). Meh, lesson learned.

Now the only filtration I actively use is an algae turf scrubber from santa monica. I have filter socks and UV if needed, and the old skimmer is on the shelf in case of emergencies. But this new 220 gallon tanks sole nuetrient export is the ATS.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

There is not. My first tank I did not understand sumps at all, baffles, all these different areas, and I just gutted it.

With the exception of the skimmer, it was perfect. I had to get a stand to raise the skimmer (because I removed the baffles!). Meh, lesson learned.

Now the only filtration I actively use is an algae turf scrubber from santa monica. I have filter socks and UV if needed, and the old skimmer is on the shelf in case of emergencies. But this new 220 gallon tanks sole nuetrient export is the ATS.

Any chance you have a picture of that sump?

 

[KrisReef]

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

YOu need to call a carpenter to widen the access points. Otherwise, I think you should have it assembled on site by an aquarium builder.

Moving glass boxes through narrow spaces is ok if you know how to levitate the freight.

Pinched fingers and strained backs, chipped edges are no good. Good luck!

 

[KrisReef]

Can she hold her end?

 

[BryanM]

Any chance you have a picture of that sump?

Just a return pump chamber, that was it

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Just a return pump chamber, that was it

Wow, that’s really open compared to some of what I’ve seen.

Pardon the blue tape holding it while I’ve been dry-eyeing it, but this is roughly what I have. Still waiting on the second heater. Seems that size is made of unobtainium. I wanted one area to be a dedicated fuge, but it sounds like as long as I account for the water height needs of the skimmer I could take the central baffle out. Have the heaters, skimmer, and chaeto in one big section. That’d give me a ton of room for live rock.

I know I just hijacked my own thread for a moment

 

[BryanM]

Wow, that’s really open compared to some of what I’ve seen.

Pardon the blue tape holding it while I’ve been dry-eyeing it, but this is roughly what I have. Still waiting on the second heater. Seems that size is made of unobtainium. I wanted one area to be a dedicated fuge, but it sounds like as long as I account for the water height needs of the skimmer I could take the central baffle out. Have the heaters, skimmer, and chaeto in one big section. That’d give me a ton of room for live rock.

I know I just hijacked my own thread for a moment

Also, consider an algae turf scrubber instead of a fuge. Santa Monica surf2 or 4. Just floats in the sump, self contained

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Also, consider an algae turf scrubber instead of a fuge. Santa Monica surf2 or 4. Just floats in the sump, self contained

That’s the first time I’ve seen one of these in my research, that’s a very cool concept. The ones I’m seeing are a little pricy, but not unreasonable. Certainly something to consider. I already have a little grow light for the chaeto though, that a family member got me for Christmas.

That scrubber could just float loose in the sump, even near the heaters?

Will I need to keep the chaeto away from the heaters, or will it be safe to float in with them and the skimmer in one section? I just imagine it getting sucked up or burned. Or maybe restricting flow around the heaters.

 

[BryanM]

That’s the first time I’ve seen one of these in my research, that’s a very cool concept. The ones I’m seeing are a little pricy, but not unreasonable. Certainly something to consider. I already have a little grow light for the chaeto though, that a family member got me for Christmas.

That scrubber could just float loose in the sump, even near the heaters?

Will I need to keep the chaeto away from the heaters, or will it be safe to float in with them and the skimmer in one section? I just imagine it getting sucked up or burned. Or maybe restricting flow around the heaters.

Gotta ask someone else about the cheato… I never ran a fuge, but I would think heaters might need to be elsewhere.

My surf4 floats over an 800w heater without issue

 

[Dburr1014]

I would be careful which padding you use to stand it up on end.
Open cell (think of pillow type) may not want to be used because it may put uneven pressure on the small edge glass.
If you used closed cell (firm, stiff) it will be firm and more even pressure on the glass but still give you some protection.

Something to think about.

 

[McPuff]

When I moved my 300DD into the basement I had a 90 deg turn to deal with and the landing was not big enough to set the tank down. After sliding the tank down the first set of stairs we had to stand the tank upright on the last step, rotate it 90 deg and then it could stand on the landing. Then we had to pull the bottom forward and slide it down the second set of stairs. This tank weighs 560# empty so I was VERY concerned about popping a seam, cracking it, etc. Took about 20 minutes for the entire choreographed move but it went well. It's now over 8 1/2 years later and the tank is just fine. But I did have a lot of tank-busting dreams for about 2-3 years. :0)