Moving semi-full tank and stand

[samnaz]

I want to move my 20g tank and stand a few feet over to make room for new tank/stand.

The setup:

Obviously not an aquarium stand. It's a table, and a slightly wobbly one at that. But moving it would make transferring tanks so much easier.

The plan is to remove about half the water, remove all equipment from in/on the tank. Shove furniture slide disc things under the stand legs. Slowly move the stand over. Put everything back in tank. Done.

Bad idea?

 

[Hely'sreef1]

I'm moving my 30 gallon with stand and sump tomorrow to install new 80 gallon. Am paying a professional $100 (AUD) to move it, install new as well as fill the new one with water - bargain I reckon! He's going to strap it up and move it full on a trolley contraption....fingers crossed!!

 

[samnaz]

I'm moving my 30 gallon with stand and sump tomorrow to install new 80 gallon. Am paying a professional $100 (AUD) to move it, install new as well as fill the new one with water - bargain I reckon! He's going to strap it up and move it full on a trolley contraption....fingers crossed!!

A professional tank mover? Hmmm I wonder if they have those in the states. I thought moving a tank full of water was a big no-no and can cause big disaster. Post here and let me know how it goes, good luck!

 

[Hely'sreef1]

Will keep you posted. I confess I'm a tad nervous!

 

[samnaz]

Will keep you posted. I confess I'm a tad nervous!

I would be too, and for good reason. It's nerve wracking for sure.

 

[Hely'sreef1]

So in your experience what are the potential dangers?

 

[samnaz]

@CoralNerd pls tell me you are thee "coral nerd" Zachary Rago.

 

[Bronx19]

Surely you can drain that tiddler down to 5 gallons and just take the weight and slide?

 

[samnaz]

So in your experience what are the potential dangers?

None whatsoever, haha. I've read a bit about it though. Potential dangers include causing the tank to leak or crack, or even tip or fall (unlikely but possible!). The likelihood of any of those happening to you or anyone else might be extremely unlikely.

Anyone with experience feel free to chime in.

 

[Hely'sreef1]

Yeah I'm currently considering that. Having said that the guy I'm paying has a reputable company that specialises in maintaining/ installing and generally doing all things marine reef keeping and he assures me it can be done....
Meanwhile I'm preparing water, containers for corals and rocks and will question him with regards to moving my system full. I just don't know what the potential dangers that may occur trying to move it full. Have thriving corals and would prefer not to disturb them. In a head spin right now!

 

[samnaz]

Surely you can drain that tiddler down to 5 gallons and just take the weight and slide?

Tiddler, hah nice. I'm not sure I can "take the weight" if it's 100 lbs or more (TBH I struggle carrying 50 lbs of cat litter).

I'm afraid one of the legs will snap off while sliding it. What a nightmare that'd be...

 

[samnaz]

Yeah I'm currently considering that. Having said that the guy I'm paying has a reputable company that specialises in maintaining/ installing and generally doing all things marine reef keeping and he assures me it can be done....
Meanwhile I'm preparing water, containers for corals and rocks and will question him with regards to moving my system full. I just don't know what the potential dangers that may occur trying to move it full. Have thriving corals and would prefer not to disturb them. In a head spin right now!

Well if he assures you it can be done, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'm sure they can tell you all the potential disasters and how to avoid them. Hopefully.

 

[SalinFL]

I've moved my 20 gal with stand across my living room to the kitchen. I removed about 4 inches of water from the tank to accommodate the potential "slosh" factor. All went well, and my two clowns felt little stress. Good luck, hope all goes well.

 

[Whyteboy]

I would say that the only issue you would ever have is it you start to pull and the legs opposite where you are pulling don't start to slide and crack. With that being said it shouldn't be an issue with carpet sliders, but it would hurt to have an extra pair of hands on the other side pushing while you pull.

 

[wyattray]

Just moved a full 70 gallon with sump using hard wood sliders, worked like a charm.

 

[CHRISHOYOS01]

Omg!!!! Good recipe for disaster I don't recommend that at all just take your time . The way I moved my 40 gallon cube was 5, 5 gallon buckets fill them with exciting water from tank and separate live rock, corals etc. makes life a lot more simple good luck.

 

[ciscomania]

i would do it if your tank was on a real tank stand but the stand it's on now, big possibility one of the legs will give out while moving.

 

[Hely'sreef1]

Well I ended up draining my tank and sump with my pro guy and installed my new set up. Took an hour and everything is doing well so far. Here's my pic....

 

[Hely'sreef1]

 

[Hely'sreef1]

And hey....we can do without a sofa for a while lol!