question about moving 210 tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

FORD9050

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2009
16
4
33
Chicago
I did a search and I wanted to know if anyone has ever used those moving straps that go on forearms so 2 people can lift the tank. I moved tank down stairs and it took 3 people and ropes and straps to control it while we slide it down the stairs but cant do that moving it back up. getting people to come over and help is a pita as I'm sure most of you know here is a pic of my tank. Fish will not be going with since the move alone will take 3 days and it will be out of service for about a week. Here is a pic of my tank

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I would get the suction cup carriers
 
If possible, how about using a ratcheting hand winch?

Lay down two 2X4 studs, parallel to each other, on the stairs. Lay tank on studs. Wrap cargo strap arouratcheting. nk and connect other end of strap to winch. Start ratcheting. You'll have to do this in stages as the hand winch has a very short distance capacity.
Hope this all makes sense.
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I would also try to vacuum suction cup thingies. You can rent them. I think you will need at least 4, maybe more. Actually the issue you are facing is the reason why I'm limiting myself to a 125.
 
I did a search and I wanted to know if anyone has ever used those moving straps that go on forearms so 2 people can lift the tank. I moved tank down stairs and it took 3 people and ropes and straps to control it while we slide it down the stairs but cant do that moving it back up. getting people to come over and help is a pita as I'm sure most of you know here is a pic of my tank. Fish will not be going with since the move alone will take 3 days and it will be out of service for about a week. Here is a pic of my tank

View attachment 1167426

View attachment 1167427

As a mover I can offer you this advice. If you can get ahold of piano skids you can easily put the tank on the piano skid and strap it on. The skid offers two straps on the front and it can be pulled up or slide it down with ease without worrying if the tank will be dropped with the straps and such. Once its outside you can easily put it on a 4 wheel dolly and wheel it out . If you cannot get ahold of one carrying straps are your next best thing . Especially in cold weather. I find the glass carriers if it is cold the rubber will harden and theres always a chance they will come undone. ( its happened before ) if the glass is painted the glass suction cups will not only damage the paint it wont suction on as good. I had two guys use carrying straps to shoulder strap my 300 gallon down to the basement because there was no room on each side through the door and in the stairwell and it worked quite well. The tall guy on the bottom of the tank and the shortest guy on the top. I would recommend shoulder strapping it instead of using the straps on your forearms because your shoulders are stronger and the tank stays square . you also free up your hands for balance. Much easier that way.
 
Going up is much easier than going down. Here is a picture of what a piano skid looks like. Hope this helps.

piano skid.jpg
 
As a mover I can offer you this advice. If you can get ahold of piano skids you can easily put the tank on the piano skid and strap it on. The skid offers two straps on the front and it can be pulled up or slide it down with ease without worrying if the tank will be dropped with the straps and such. Once its outside you can easily put it on a 4 wheel dolly and wheel it out . If you cannot get ahold of one carrying straps are your next best thing . Especially in cold weather. I find the glass carriers if it is cold the rubber will harden and theres always a chance they will come undone. ( its happened before ) if the glass is painted the glass suction cups will not only damage the paint it wont suction on as good. I had two guys use carrying straps to shoulder strap my 300 gallon down to the basement because there was no room on each side through the door and in the stairwell and it worked quite well. The tall guy on the bottom of the tank and the shortest guy on the top. I would recommend shoulder strapping it instead of using the straps on your forearms because your shoulders are stronger and the tank stays square . you also free up your hands for balance. Much easier that way.
I was going to mention skid boards as well, as I own a piano moving company, but wasn't sure if it would be possible for him to get ahold of some. In fact thats how my 180 got in my basement. I generally won't loan out my piano boards because people tend to wreck what they don't own. I've had people cut skid board straps instead of taking 2 minutes to un-cinch them.

We just moved an oceanic 540 today on one
 
I was going to mention skid boards as well, as I own a piano moving company, but wasn't sure if it would be possible for him to get ahold of some. In fact thats how my 180 got in my basement. I generally won't loan out my piano boards because people tend to wreck what they don't own. I've had people cut skid board straps instead of taking 2 minutes to un-cinch them.

Oooo I would be angry if someone wrecked my skid. lol . They are definitely back savers !!!! and tank savers also
 
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