Moving Tanks

[alextret]

How do you move tanks? Is there a smarter way to do it than just lifting by hands?

I actually had to settle for a smaller tank because I could not figure out, how to carry a larger one from my car. (Yes, shop personell would help me to put it in the car, but once I'm home, I'm on my own.)

I found that, at least in Palmerston North, shops selling tanks do not want to be involved in any way at all in delivering them (unlike, for example, in case of buying furniture).

[Alan]

Yep, there is an easy way.

Go through the deal of buying it, and just before you hand over the cash, ask for their help, be prepared to pay for it though.

They'll want to sell the tank and I'm sure that would work if you said

"No help. No tank. I'll go and check out the other LFS"

Also I use old safety straps from cars, (get them cheap at the wreckers),

for the lifting of heavy tanks, and the grandchildrens skate boards make an ideal trolley

Use planks or 12 x 1's to come up stairs, and once inside, use a large towel or a rug to slide it on the floor,

remember to put the bottom of the rug to the base of the tank.

I know not every house has them, but saw horses make an ideal resting place, before finally going onto the stand.

Just some things that I use for moving some of my biggun's around on my own.

Alan 104

[monaro1]

hire a hubby or a friend in exchange for say a free lunch. mine usually cost me a BBQ and lots of jim beam

you have a tank now and you ARE going to want more so work something out now and get the big one.

[PENEJANE]

Ok I am moving house this comming weekend. I have got a 2ft tank (60Lx50Hx30D cms) According to my LFS I have to totaly empty it out, plants, ordaments, gravel the works to move the tank. I am fine with that but I am worried about my new bn's that are due to hatch at this time and I will be on my own (my kids are 5 and under lol no help there) I have a great big 20ltr nappy bucket that I am going to put as much water in as possible along with the fish and plants. Would I have to wash the gravel when I do this move? Would it be wise to save as much water from the tank as possible? I am hoping to save at least half the water.

Any ideas on this would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose any fish if possible.

Cheers

[PENEJANE]

This nappy bucket is used only for the fish tank so no chemicals have been in it. With the nappy bucket and two 15-20 ltr plastic tanks I am sure I can save a good amount of water and just make it like a water change of some sort! lol

Well wish me luck and I will let you all know how it goes. I am hoping to use one of the plastic tanks to house the bristlenose and his cave so hopefully there won't be too much damage done.

Cheers

[Snowman]

As for emptying the tank all i take out is the water, leave the gravel ornaments etc in the tank but make sure the bits aren't going to slide around and hit the glass, plants wise depends on how long before you can get water back in the tank, if it wont be long leave them in but if its going to be a while bag them up.

[PENEJANE]

I was told that if I leave the gravel in there that the base of the tank could break :-? All that is being done is that its being unpluged, empty out and then taken up to the new house and set up. So hopefully it won't be to long. I am almost tempted to go and buy a skateboard (cheap warehouse job) to help move the tank about lol. I might be able to get someone to help me yet but I am planing to do it alone just in case no help is available

[madcookie]

PeneJane, Carefull moving a tank that size on your own. With gravel etc it will weigh upto 30kg, be difficult to hold correclty (weight spread underneath), and break/crack if you bump it the wrong way. Much better with two people!!! I wouldnt even consider moving it on my own. Another thought is slip a piece of plywood under it to take the weight - the glass bottom cant break then.

[Snowman]

A lot depends on how much gravel you have in the tank, myself i would leave the gravel in and pick it up at each end like a box but you may want to see how heavy it is, also if you have stairs to go up or down may prove difficult.

I have moved all of my 3 & 4 ft tanks with the gravel inside, i take out all rock works but leave in the lighter decorations.

[madcookie]

snowman, do you move your tanks with or without something supporting the glass underneath? And...what thickness glass is it? Personally, have been too chicken to move tanks (with gravel etc) without using plywood support.

Oh, and if you moved a 3 and 4 footer around - Im gonna have to assume thats not your current photo you have up under your name. (Avatar). 8)

[Snowman]

That would be my son, he's 1 next Saturday. Don't think he could carry a tank yet but laughs at the feeling of the swords nibbling at his fingers :lol:

The glass is only 6mm and nothing underneath but with two people of course :lol: The glass is easily strong enough to support the weight of the stones as it is static loading, bit like placing a rock gently on a thin piece of glass as opposed to dropping it.

Surprising how stong glass is as long as the load is applied gradually and evenly not suddenly or on one spot.

[PENEJANE]

Well this is going to sound funny but since the house is just up the road ( 5 min walk max) I was going to put a board in the pushchair and put the tank in that so I can wheel it up lol That way I can carefully get it down the 3 front steps and up the 3 steps at the other place If this is a silly idea please let me know. I am open to all options untill friday lol.

cheers