How to raise 125g from floor to 3.5ft stand?????

[wannaarro]

Hey, I'm getting ready to pull everything together, and the biggest hitch is getting the tank up on the stand. The men on the farm are whipped and won't help the one single woman, I can't do it myself, and most important, I don't want to torque it or split/crack it in any way. The stand is 3.5 ft high, 2'x6', the tank is 2'x6'x17" (wide). It's new; I've collected stuff all summer (2 classic Eheims, 2 stealth heaters, etc.), and to be able to securely place it in my mobile home (cinderblocks underneath). I'd really appreciate any advise from those who have lifted up small big tanks like this successfully, keeping in mind I won't have a big, burly crew!!! (Gotta do it soon too, my fish are going through a growth spurt!!!). Thanks! Renee

 

[sicxspeed]

Do you have anyone who can help you? That tank is to heavy and long for one person to lift without the chance of breaking it. I Two people should be enough to lift it though, three would be better and 4 best with one on each corner

 

[wannaarro]

Ah, sicxspeed, I have a friend who will help, and if her husband is in town he will. Otherwise??? Who knows. . . . I live in the boonies . . .

 

[fishdance]

Renee,
I dont really recommend you move a tank by yourself if your not used to shifting glass tanks because even experienced professional removalists wont handle glass aquaria as well as experienced fish keepers. Glass is much tougher than it looks but can easily crack if stressed in the wrong way.

Having said that, I do move 6 and 8 foot tanks around by myself all the time and the height of your stand can be used to advantage with some planning. I made up a flat wooden platform on 4 castors (wheels) which makes a low moving platform trolley. This trolley has no handles, its a simple piece of wood about 60cm x 60cm x 2cm thick on 4 low wheels which can turn on a dime. From the pickup truck tray/ workbench /old stand /etc you slowly slide & lower the empty tank off, end down onto the trolley and then stand the tank vertically on its end. Dont worry the tank is plenty tough enough for this. Just make sure the trolley doesnt shoot off as your transfering the weight. (use a wheel chock if necessary). Once the tank is standing vertical it is simple and easy to move it around by yourself - through doors, around corners, narrow spaces and down hallways etc. Assuming the floor is flat and suitable for low wheels. Once you are in the new location, do the reverse. ie slowly lower it from vertical to horizontal onto the new stand. Then lift the trolley end of tank up and slide the tank fully onto the stand. It will slide easily so you dont need to get it perfectly centered. Once in place, I lift one end up at a time and put in the polystyrene base. The entire time you dont need to pick the tank up as a dead weight so its easier and lighter than it sounds but it is akward and bulky.

I used to use an old skateboard but a proper wooden tray is much safer. You may be able to rent some glass suckers to help you lift too and these are fantastic but not essential. Dont be afraid to grab the tank by the side braces and rims to lift and shift about. The tank is quite sturdy. Gardening gloves may be useful for you although I prefer not to use.

Hope that helps.

 

[fishdance]

I just re-read your post. If the tank is on the floor near the stand then just lift and stand the tank onto one end. If the tank doesnt have plastic corner protectors you can use some old carpet or thick towel or cardboard so you dont damage floor or tank. you can use this padding to drag/slide the tank near the stand and then lower it on as per my earlier post. Plan it carefully so you get the side you want to the front.

 

[hayden]

wannaarro are you in nc?

 

[hbluehunter]

There's no good ole' boys around that'll give a woman a hand???

 

[johnptc]

I just re-read your post. If the tank is on the floor near the stand then just lift and stand the tank onto one end. If the tank doesnt have plastic corner protectors you can use some old carpet or thick towel or cardboard so you dont damage floor or tank. you can use this padding to drag/slide the tank near the stand and then lower it on as per my earlier post. Plan it carefully so you get the side you want to the front.

nice job !!! still have a friend help.....

 

[Nic]

and the men on the farm can't take 5 min to help you lift it for what reason...

 

[BigPleco]

Me and my brother-in-law lifted my 125 onto a stand....two people will be able to handle it....tell a couple of the farm boys to come and lift it for you....give em a beer for it. Its only going to take them a minute and they get 12 oz. of sweetness out of it!!!