tips tricks and techniques for moving large tanks?

Devaji · Nov 11, 2018

besides just 'man handling it" in the house and on the stand is there any tips tricks and techniques for moving large heavy tanks around?

I came across a shoulder dolly that sounds like it could help. tank in question around 540-600lbs
suctions cups would be nice but the good ones are $60-90 each and not sure they would help much at all.

i thought about the moving furniture dollies but there is carpets and high door jams to deal with.

guess the "best" way and classic way is just get a crew of friends 4-6 and just get her done eh?

thoughts?

hdsoftail1065 · Nov 12, 2018

If your moving it to "relocate" it in the house depending on how high those door jams are you could drain about 80% of the water into tubs or buckets to reduce some of the weight and pick up a set of furniture sliders. Place the water back in when you complete the move.

Waters · Nov 12, 2018

Is this tank filled or empty? The suction cups work great for empty large tanks. A lot of good LFS will even allow you to borrow, or rent them. If the tank is filled, then it will definitely need to be drained way down, moved, then refilled.

Devaji · Nov 12, 2018

it would be a brand new tank. red sea reefer XXL750 or waterbox 230.6 same tank really. got to get in up 5 steeps through the house not far 50 feet or so.

depending on the snow might have to carry it 50 yards up a slight incline to...

also no LFS around.

andrewkw · Nov 12, 2018

If you're asking for advice, my advice would be to hired insured movers and have them do it. I have moved a 180 gallon tank and I've hired people to move tanks. It was far less painful to pay then to lift, then to move myself, or ask non tank people to help move. With no LFS around you may have to explain just how heavy the tank is - When I moved the 180 my friend did not believe me when I told him the weight even though I explained it several times before.

You can probably find somewhere to rent you suction cups, even if you have to have them shipped and put down a deposit that should be better than purchasing them if you wish to do it yourself.

hdsoftail1065 · Nov 12, 2018

I'm sorry I misread your post. I paid the lfs to move my big tank. Figured a little in their pocket was worth it just in case something happened to it on the way in.

ScottBrew · Nov 12, 2018

Rent or buy a pallet jack or a refrigerator dolly. They will both make easy work of thresholds. The dolly will even do stairs. Strap the tank to the forks or dolly if it's not on a pallet already.

Aquavaj · Nov 12, 2018

Those tanks won't be anywhere near 500-600lbs empty. I'm guessing 200lbs if at that. 4 guys will have no trouble moving it.

Mandelstam · Nov 12, 2018

I'd hire some people with both the experience and equipment. I've seen a couple of pros carry a big piano down a flight of stairs in an old apartment building. They had harnesses and the whole deal to put the weight in the right place. I wouldn't say they got it done like it was nothing but close to it lol.
At least get something that will take away the weight from your hands and fingers, they tire quickly and slip easily.

Borrowed pic:

andrewkw · Nov 12, 2018

Aquavaj said:
Those tanks won't be anywhere near 500-600lbs empty. I'm guessing 200lbs if at that. 4 guys will have no trouble moving it.

A standard 180 gallon is 338 lbs empty. I could google the weight of the red sea xl 750 or waterbox of comparable size but I would guess both weigh a decent amount more since they are rimless and higher end so likely thicker glass.

DaneGer21 · Nov 12, 2018

I moved in my new 60x36x24 - 240gal a few weeks ago. I used furniture dollys and 8 grown men. 6 guys was plenty but just in case. Mine had to be rotated on its back panel then go up 3 stairs and through the back sliding door, then through one door way and about 50’ across the house.

With all the help, it really was pretty easy.

I rented suction cups locally but didn’t even take them out of the cases.

TheWalkman99 · Nov 12, 2018

Me and my coworker moved my 180 into my house no problem.
And with standard furniture dolly you should be able to move a 6 foot tank up on end through most doorways although you should never move a tank that way.
I say just manhandle it.

DaneGer21 · Nov 12, 2018

DaneGer21 said:
I moved in my new 60x36x24 - 240gal a few weeks ago. I used furniture dollys and 8 grown men. 6 guys was plenty but just in case. Mine had to be rotated on its side then go up 3 stairs and through the back sliding door, then through one door way and about 50’ across the house.

With all the help, it really was pretty easy.

I rented suction cups locally but didn’t even take them out of the cases.

Devaji · Nov 12, 2018

DaneGer21 said:
I moved in my new 60x36x24 - 240gal a few weeks ago. I used furniture dollys and 8 grown men. 6 guys was plenty but just in case. Mine had to be rotated on its side then go up 3 stairs and through the back sliding door, then through one door way and about 50’ across the house.

With all the help, it really was pretty easy.

I rented suction cups locally but didn’t even take them out of the cases.

yeah a bunch of friends is the way to go for sure.

ScottBrew said:
Rent or buy a pallet jack or a refrigerator dolly. They will both make easy work of thresholds. The dolly will even do stairs. Strap the tank to the forks or dolly if it's not on a pallet already.

I live in the country so there are no nice side walks or drive way just dirt and or snow.

Aquavaj said:
Those tanks won't be anywhere near 500-600lbs empty. I'm guessing 200lbs if at that. 4 guys will have no trouble moving it.

that is what ppl say it is 3/4" glass!

Mandelstam said:
I'd hire some people with both the experience and equipment. I've seen a couple of pros carry a big piano down a flight of stairs in an old apartment building. They had harnesses and the whole deal to put the weight in the right place. I wouldn't say they got it done like it was nothing but close to it lol.
At least get something that will take away the weight from your hands and fingers, they tire quickly and slip easily.

Borrowed pic:

yes I am looking at those straps on amazon. with 2 guys on each end a few more might get the jon done with out to much complaining.

DaneGer21 · Nov 12, 2018

My tank, 60x36x24 is all 1/2” glass, with top eurobracing, and a double bottom panel of 1/2”. Mine, INCLUDING the shipping crate, said 530lbs(shipping bill).

Devaji · Nov 12, 2018

DaneGer21 said:

I love it when people work together for a common goal...even if its just a reef tank.
those young men look happy to be part of it.

Devaji · Nov 12, 2018

DaneGer21 said:
My tank, 60x36x24 is all 1/2” glass, with top eurobracing, and a double bottom panel of 1/2”. Mine, INCLUDING the shipping crate, said 530lbs(shipping bill).

nice tank! love the depth.