Moving 100gal tanks

[mryan04290]

Hi everyone, I was just offered a FREE fully set up fully functional 100 gallon tank from a customer with lights and sump and needed advice moving it in a car as well as up a flight of stairs! Any and all recommendations appreciated

 

[jmichaelh7]

Acrylic or glass ?

 

[mryan04290]

Acrylic or glass ?

I THINK it’s glass not sure who made it though all I know is its 100 with a stand and sump

 

[jmichaelh7]

I THINK it’s glass not sure who made it though all I know is its 100 with a stand and sump

2 people , furniture blanket , furniture dolly . You’ll be alright. Take breaks as needed you have the dolly outside and the blanket on way up

 

[mryan04290]

2 people , furniture blanket , furniture dolly . You’ll be alright. Take breaks as needed you have the dolly outside and the blanket on way up

Should I completely remove everything sand and all? I don’t think there’s going to be a way to get the water up the stairs considering it’s over 1000 pounds of saltwater

 

[jmichaelh7]

Should I completely remove everything sand and all? I don’t think there’s going to be a way to get the water up the stairs considering it’s over 1000 pounds of saltwater

Bro , really

To answer your question lol YES everything needs to be removed !

The weight of the sand is too much and water ? Water absolutely needs to be removed or else you ant moving nothing

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Hi everyone, I was just offered a FREE fully set up fully functional 100 gallon tank from a customer with lights and sump and needed advice moving it in a car as well as up a flight of stairs! Any and all recommendations appreciated

Friends family or neighbours, the more hands the better. a pack of beer or wine would be appreciated and less costly, or take all out for a meal for appreciated token

 

[jmichaelh7]

If you have never moved a tank before I’d suggest getting friends like member mentioned .


It can be overwhelming during process . Siphon all water out and discard unless you want to save it.

Remove all the sand with a small shovel or anything will do but it’ gots to go

If you have a sump then a water pump is a must otherwise you need a cup to remove the water until you’re able to tip the sump over and empty it.


All the plumbing needs to be disconnected

Don’t worry about the messy wires . Do NOT worry about organizing right now you will get overwhelmed .

Then have a plan to carry it 1/4 the way then break then 1/2 way then break then placement where it’s going to be .

Of course once it’s positioned where you want it a shop vac to remove sand. Then a good ol vinegar bath to clean it.

It’s not hard brother but everything need to be broken down especially with glass. If it was acrylic you could get away with leaving some sand but even then

 

[mryan04290]

Bro , really

To answer your question lol YES everything needs to be removed !

The weight of the sand is too much and water ? Water absolutely needs to be removed or else you ant moving nothing

I definitely planned on taking everything out I just need to figure out a good way to transport it all. Totally planned on removing the water I’m not that dumb

 

[exnisstech]

I definitely planned on taking everything out I just need to figure out a good way to transport it all

Have a friend with a truck?

 

[mryan04290]

If you have never moved a tank before I’d suggest getting friends like member mentioned .


It can be overwhelming during process . Siphon all water out and discard unless you want to save it.

Remove all the sand with a small shovel or anything will do but it’ gots to go

If you have a sump then a water pump is a must otherwise you need a cup to remove the water until you’re able to tip the sump over and empty it.


All the plumbing needs to be disconnected

Don’t worry about the messy wires . Do NOT worry about organizing right now you will get overwhelmed .

Then have a plan to carry it 1/4 the way then break then 1/2 way then break then placement where it’s going to be .

Of course once it’s positioned where you want it a shop vac to remove sand. Then a good ol vinegar bath to clean it.

It’s not hard brother but everything need to be broken down especially with glass. If it was acrylic you could get away with leaving some sand but even then

I’m not sure if I want to save it considering the climb up the steps with 100+ gallons would SUCK but there is coral and the tank is well established so if I can talk to some buddies to house things in the meantime while the tank cycles that would be ideal! But I couldn’t pass up a free tank with brand new radeon lights!

 

[mryan04290]

Have a friend with a truck?

I have a few friends with pick ups that I’ve recruited as well as a couple friends from 2 local fish stores to help with plumbing and wiring

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Free is never free...

Trash the water and sand, no sense hauling it. If you really want to rinse the sand, do so, but I'd start fresh with both.

Depending on how young old/healthy you are, will determine 1-4 people to move it (you havent lived until you dangled a 150g glass tank partially off a second floor staircase/balcony to turn it to get through a narrow door). Preplan the move, not willy nilly either as it sounds like it's your 1st tank move.

Think of moving a OLD fridge and all the pain that goes with it.

 

[dadnjesse]

A couple of theses will help

 

[jmichaelh7]

A couple of theses will help

Not needed for 100g tank .may be helpful but more friends each corner it’s doable .

 

[Uncle99]

Depends on how far you are going and the roads.
Just two young people, one on each end.
Of course awkward, but go slow and you’ll be fine.

 

[mryan04290]

Free is never free...

Trash the water and sand, no sense hauling it. If you really want to rinse the sand, do so, but I'd start fresh with both.

Depending on how young old/healthy you are, will determine 1-4 people to move it (you havent lived until you dangled a 150g glass tank partially off a second floor staircase/balcony to turn it to get through a narrow door). Preplan the move, not willy nilly either as it sounds like it's your 1st tank move.

Think of moving a OLD fridge and all the pain that goes with it.

Luckily my stairs are straight up with no turns and it’s going in the living room. should be pretty straightforward. And luckily I’m 23 and I’m friends with a bunch of gym dudes haha

 

[JetsIrish]

I just moved a 100 gallon (78 display) tank and kept the sand in it with .5” water (and a melanarus wrasse who was hiding within the sand) to keep it wet. Definitely doable. Definitely not easy.

Save at least some of the water if possible. I removed livestock to bins and brutes. Used tank water in those.

Have fresh salt water ready to go to make up the difference.

Happy to give more pointers if youre interested.