Moving a large tank downstairs question

[SaracensRugby]

Ok, so want to get the dream tank (96" length), but have a 90 degree turn going into basement. How much room do you need on the sides to move what would be a 500lb tank? As you can see with the mockup, it would just fit, but would be tight and it would have to rest on its side at the turn. Should I go with a shorter tank for clearance? Thoughts and ideas welcome.
Side note, this is the only way down into the basement, window wells too small.

Cheers.

 

[ScottJ]

Maybe I would cut a piece of plywood to cover the end on the floor. Great idea to make a mock up. If you could move that down, I would think you could get a tank down.

Of course, 500 lbs is pretty barn heavy!

 

[Kershaw]

Are you sure it will only weigh 500lbs? My 60x24x20 had a ship weight of 430lbs

 

[WVNed]

You only need room on the sides to lift it. To tip it and catch it you need people above and below it.
What about the stand? It is usually bigger than the tank.
We moved my 8 footer in with 7 people but no steps were involved.
Furniture dollies are your friend. You can roll it. Take a rest. It's not sitting flat on the floor when you have to lift it.

 

[Rmckoy]

Hire movers…..
save your back and leave the work to the professionals .
They are insured as well ….

after upgrading to this 230
I will never lift or move another tank …
It’s worth every penny it cost

 

[ScottJ]

Hire movers…..
save your back and leave the work to the professionals .
They are insured as well ….

after upgrading to this 230
I will never lift or move another tank …
It’s worth every penny it cost

I used to try to do everything myself to save money. Now I've reached the age where I'll hire things out to save my back.

 

[Rmckoy]

I used to try to do everything myself to save money. Now I've reached the age where I'll hire things out to save my back.

Snow removal , lawn care , tank moving ,

I will rather pay someone to do it now and not even think of cost .

 

[rockdiver]

Starting out correctly from the 1st floor is important.
This can be done.
So take it with the top( real top open end) first the man on the 1st floor has the bottom of the tank then 45 it onto the landing. The men on the bottom will have it hard bending over to set it on the landing ! Also is there enough room for the man and the tank on the landing ? Might have to set it on the last stair then carefully get it down.
Once that is done the tank is long ways on the landing the sides are next to them men to carry and the top is to the wall and the bottom of the tank is facing the stairs you just went down.
Pull the bottom out and go stair by stair then when at the bottom keep it on its side the flip it onto its bottom. Pick up put on stand.
Try that with your mock up.

They have burlap straps called hump straps at movers supply warehouses do a search for CDS moving equipment. They work great its a long strap like 16 feet.
It can be done not easy but it can be done.

 

[SaracensRugby]

You only need room on the sides to lift it. To tip it and catch it you need people above and below it.
What about the stand? It is usually bigger than the tank.
We moved my 8 footer in with 7 people but no steps were involved.
Furniture dollies are your friend. You can roll it. Take a rest. It's not sitting flat on the floor when you have to lift it.

Good point on the stand. If the guys are big, it would be real real tight re: tank. I may have to drop down to 84" length to be safe and make sure this doesn't end up through a wall. I might make my own stand (again), but good food for thought on that. Thanks for all of the insight so far!

 

[rockdiver]

I think with any length your still going to need to stand it on end to get around the turn.
Where in chicago are you ?
I am in the Chicagoland also.
Going down is better the going up.
But once it's down years from now going up will be fun.
Should stick with what you want if the way I described works.

 

[rockdiver]

If not far maybe I can come look and see one day if it's possible to do and show you what I mean.
Been a mover for over 30 years and had stuff like this before pianos armoires all sorts of crap lol also have access to equipment to make it easier if the room is there.

 

[ZoWhat]

Call around to LFSs and see who does the most "service" work.

You being in the Chicago area, there has to be a ton of great choices.

Chances are the LFS that has the biggest service presence in your area servicing businesses like restaurants, dental and doctors offices, office buildings....they have the EQUIPMENT (slides, padding, dollies, pro suction-cups) and most importantly the EXPERIENCE to do the job.

I have plans to buy a 8ft 315g.

They quoted me $200 to move it from their truck and place it on the stand. After that, they leave. All setup after that, on me. Which is how I want it!

Sometimes if you can talk directly to the Lead Service guy, he may do it for cash-under-the-table during off-hours with one other guy... and bring all the professional equipment

I'd pay the $200-$300 and have it professionally done . They know weight, angles, Stress points, limitations, and when to use the proper equipment during the stages of the move.

You wouldn't go cutting down a 100ft dead tree on your property, climbing up it with a chainsaw.... you'd hire a professional. Just sayin'

 

[rockdiver]

Wow that's cheap was it going down or up any stairs ?

 

[SaracensRugby]

If not far maybe I can come look and see one day if it's possible to do and show you what I mean.
Been a mover for over 30 years and had stuff like this before pianos armoires all sorts of crap lol also have access to equipment to make it easier if the room is there.

In Downers Grove, western burbs. I am probably 6 months away from purchase, so no rush. But I appreciate it, may take you up on it when the time comes.

 

[rockdiver]

Sounds good not far at all.
I work up in Carol Stream.
Let me know if you want to do the mock run !

 

[WVNed]

I am an old guy. 500 pounds sounds scary but.
I moved my 8 foot stand in by myself using 2 furniture dollies.

Once the tank was set on the stand 2 people could move it around. It was on vinyl plank flooring though that is fairly slippery.

If you do it right you never lift more than half the weight of the tank or stand.
Going down the steps. 2 people above and 2 below. More wont fit.
Put a large piece of cardboard on the landing.
At the top shove it till it tilts. Go slow and keep control of it.
Slide it down to the landing.
All 4 stand it on end on the cardboard.
Turn it.
2 behind and 2 below. The top people each cover one corner at the back to protect the wall.
Pull the cardboard toward the steps as you tilt it again. Once it gets to the edge let the bottom front edge come down to the second step. Tilting it more will let it go down the steps.
Let it slide down the next set of steps.
At the bottom put one of the dollies and catch the front bottom edge on it.
Pull the dolly away as you lower the back. It is only half the weight this way and 2 people can lift 250 pounds.
AT the bottom put the second dolly under the rear as it comes off the last step.
Roll it to were it goes. Leave it on the dollies until the stand is set to place the tank.

I rented a moving kit and had 8 lifters on the tank.

 

[JohnnyK]

Hire movers…..
save your back and leave the work to the professionals .
They are insured as well ….

after upgrading to this 230
I will never lift or move another tank …
It’s worth every penny it cost

I just got a 326gal tank and was thinking the same thing. Any tips on what to look for to find the movers that will do a tank?

John
Nova Scotia, Canada

 

[Rmckoy]

I just got a 326gal tank and was thinking the same thing. Any tips on what to look for to find the movers that will do a tank?

John
Nova Scotia, Canada

I hired a company in Toronto .
I called and asked if they moved large tanks .
they asked for dimensions , if it was clean. ( the wouldn’t touch it if it wasn’t clean )

there was 3 guys .
I helped a little with lifting off and back on the stand but that’s all .

they were glad they brought what they called a piano skid ( essentially 2x4 about 6’ long carpeted with straps for handles , and tying to carts with wheels

Make sure it will fit through door ways where it’s going

 

[SaracensRugby]

So just an update on this: I have called every LFS in the area. None want to deal with it, or they want to charge an arm and a leg. 4-5 moving companies, they don't want to touch moving tanks either, even though they used to. Waiting to hear back from 2 more companies, 1 said they would but haven't called me back yet. Heard they are about $1k (ouch). Last one specializes in moving heavy stuff like gun safes, no word back. So me and a few buddies will have to do this. Thanks for all of the step by step above.

I went with a 84long x 36 wide x 24 high tank, 315 gallons.

 

[Rmckoy]

So just an update on this: I have called every LFS in the area. None want to deal with it, or they want to charge an arm and a leg. 4-5 moving companies, they don't want to touch moving tanks either, even though they used to. Waiting to hear back from 2 more companies, 1 said they would but haven't called me back yet. Heard they are about $1k (ouch). Last one specializes in moving heavy stuff like gun safes, no word back. So me and a few buddies will have to do this. Thanks for all of the step by step above.

I went with a 84long x 36 wide x 24 high tank, 315 gallons.

Problem with a 36” wide tank it won’t fit through most doorways .
The company I used put the tank on a sleigh made of wood and carpeted .
that was later put on top
Of 4 wheel carts

the sleigh helped a lot to go up stairs . Essentially . Just pushing it up letting the sleigh slide .

putting it on top of the stand and lifting it off was the only lifting .
They are in Toronto . Amazing at what they do !