Moving 29g to a new stand

TheReaperOfMars · Aug 13, 2017

So I have a fully stocked and set up 29g aquarium, but I have noticed recently that the metal stand that it is on does not support the middle of the tank, and I really don't want to come home to a burst tank all over my livingroom. I could have sworn when I set it up it was level, but I guess now it isn't. Well I'm fed up with this junk stand, so I am going to build a sturdy 2x4 stand. The question at hand is, how do I move the tank to that stand? How empty does it have to be. Would it be acceptable to take the HOB skimmer, and HOB refugium off the back, remove the fish, drain the water down to almost nothing, and leave the live rock and sand in the tank, then lift it 4 feet to the right to the new stand? There will be a brand new tank where this one is in the next few months, but for the time being the 29g has to be moved, and to a better stand.

Thanks,

A

reeferfoxx · Aug 14, 2017

Assuming it's a standard 29 gallon,

abavery said:
Would it be acceptable to take the HOB skimmer, and HOB refugium off the back, remove the fish, drain the water down to almost nothing, and leave the live rock and sand in the tank, then lift it 4 feet to the right to the new stand?

Yes this would work. I had to do this once with a freshwater tank, the same size too. However, i lucked out. Both stands were about the same height, so I just slid the tank onto the new stand and slid in place. Granted, I have wood floors.

TheReaperOfMars · Aug 14, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
Assuming it's a standard 29 gallon,

Yes this would work. I had to do this once with a freshwater tank, the same size too. However, i lucked out. Both stands were about the same height, so I just slid the tank onto the new stand and slid in place. Granted, I have wood floors.

It is a standard 29 gallon. Since I'm building the stand and it is just a temporary stand, I could just build it to the same height and slide it over. Then lift and slide the 2x4 stand into place since it is also on a wood floor.

Would a stand made of 2x4s in this pattern be plenty for a 29 gallon? I would then throw a sheet of plywood on top, and maybe one of those neoprene sheets if necessary. I just want to have a sturdy of a stand as possible so I don't have to worry about a rickety stand anymore.

reeferfoxx · Aug 14, 2017

abavery said:
It is a standard 29 gallon. Since I'm building the stand and it is just a temporary stand, I could just build it to the same height and slide it over. Then lift and slide the 2x4 stand into place since it is also on a wood floor.

Would a stand made of 2x4s in this pattern be plenty for a 29 gallon? I would then throw a sheet of plywood on top, and maybe one of those neoprene sheets if necessary. I just want to have a sturdy of a stand as possible so I don't have to worry about a rickety stand anymore.

Looks good to me. The only thing I would worry about is how narrow the tank is. Those 29's always look like a tip hazard to me. Though, I never tipped one.

TheReaperOfMars · Aug 14, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
Looks good to me. The only thing I would worry about is how narrow the tank is. Those 29's always look like a tip hazard to me. Though, I never tipped one.

I agree. The next tank is going to be an 80 gallon shallow rimless tank, so no tip hazard, but for now the 29 gallon is what I'm stuck with. Last tank sprung a leak so instead of setting up my dream tank how I wanted I had to run out and grab whatever I could to quickly get the fish moved over. Not ideal.

reeferfoxx · Aug 14, 2017

abavery said:
I agree. The next tank is going to be an 80 gallon shallow rimless tank, so no tip hazard, but for now the 29 gallon is what I'm stuck with. Last tank sprung a leak so instead of setting up my dream tank how I wanted I had to run out and grab whatever I could to quickly get the fish moved over. Not ideal.

I hear ya. That build looks fine. Go for the same height and maybe make it an 1 inch wider on each side.

TheReaperOfMars · Aug 14, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
I hear ya. That build looks fine. Go for the same height and maybe make it an 1 inch wider on each side.

If I go an inch wider on each side wont the rim of the tank be putting its weight on only a half inch of the 1.5" width of the 2x4? I was considering going a half inch on each side. I just want it to be as sturdy as possible. No compromises this time.

Big G · Aug 14, 2017

One of the dangers is that the glass is so thin. Be careful not to torque or put pressure on the tank when moving or it may crack. Been there, done that in a doctor's waiting room while moving and cleaning his tank. Not fun.

reeferfoxx · Aug 14, 2017

abavery said:
If I go an inch wider on each side wont the rim of the tank be putting its weight on only a half inch of the 1.5" width of the 2x4? I was considering going a half inch on each side. I just want it to be as sturdy as possible. No compromises this time.

It would work if you added the plywood as a base wouldn't it

TheReaperOfMars · Aug 14, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
It would work if you added the plywood as a base wouldn't it

I don't know enough about plywood to know if it would spread the load out enough. I'm not much of a structural engineer.

TheReaperOfMars · Aug 14, 2017

Big G said:
One of the dangers is that the glass is so thin. Be careful not to torque or put pressure on the tank when moving or it may crack. Been there, done that in a doctor's waiting room while moving and cleaning his tank. Not fun.

The problem I am most worried about is how to get our fingers under the tank to lift it off the old stand.