Move tank away from wall to paint

[jalewis]

I have a 40 gal Aquatop AIO on a stand that's about 4 months old. We're going to be painting the room it's in and we have to move the tank about one foot out from the wall so we can paint behind it. What the easiest way to move the tank and stand out? I'm thinking if I take out about 15 gal of water that will lighten it up some but it'll probably still weigh around 250 lbs. Some thoughts about sliding it out:

Furniture movers - will they work under the stand? It doesn't have feet just the entire base.
Heavy duty or appliance dolly with strap - should I strap the tank and/or base?

Should I remove the live rocks so they don't fall over and hit the glass? What do I put them in?

Thanks.

 

[sfin52]

I have a 40 gal Aquatop AIO on a stand that's about 4 months old. We're going to be painting the room it's in and we have to move the tank about one foot out from the wall so we can paint behind it. What the easiest way to move the tank and stand out? I'm thinking if I take out about 15 gal of water that will lighten it up some but it'll probably still weigh around 250 lbs. Some thoughts about sliding it out:

Furniture movers - will they work under the stand? It doesn't have feet just the entire base.
Heavy duty or appliance dolly with strap - should I strap the tank and/or base?

Should I remove the live rocks so they don't fall over and hit the glass? What do I put them in?

Thanks.

Empty the tank to move it. I would never try to move a tank with water sand and rock. It's a break waiting to happen.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Your probably going to need to remove at least 80-90% of water along with any unstable rock to even have a chance.. safest bet is to drain it and remove as much rock as possible first.

 

[Amado]

Never move a tank with water or rocks.
it sucks but you have to taje Everything out and then move it. Buckets are your friend.

 

[5altkreep]

40 gallons isnt much. Get a few rubbermaid totes or large garbage cans and empty it. Shortcuts rarely pay off in this hobby.

 

[jalewis]

So I would get a couple totes, say 20 gal each and put fish, snails and crabs in one with water and the rock and the rest of the water in the other tote? What about the sand? Do I need to move it or can I leave it in the tank? The only thing I'm not sure about moving is the Nassarius snails. They may still be buried in the sand. Could I leave them in the sand with just a small layer of water covering the sand and move the tank and stand?

How long can I keep the fish, etc. in the totes?

 

[cmoore806]

Get a skinny paint roller https://www.lowes.com/pd/WHIZZ-6-in-Synthetic-Blend-Mini-Paint-Roller/1000755950

 

[GlassMunky]

So I would get a couple totes, say 20 gal each and put fish, snails and crabs in one with water and the rock and the rest of the water in the other tote? What about the sand? Do I need to move it or can I leave it in the tank? The only thing I'm not sure about moving is the Nassarius snails. They may still be buried in the sand. Could I leave them in the sand with just a small layer of water covering the sand and move the tank and stand?

How long can I keep the fish, etc. in the totes?

The fish and corals can stay in the totes for a couple days if necessary as long as you have proper oxygenation and heat.

no need to remove the sand to move it