moving 500 gallon

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Alright you need to combine the ideas and this will work. People move pianos you can move a fish tank. Slide the tank down the stairs BUT don't use a catcher at the bottom, make sure you have the 2" or 3" wide straps 2 should do it, and have it go down by holding the tank from the top. This is a safty thing that way if for some unknown reason it does fall it won't splatter the guy at the bottom. You can also build a 2x4 frame around the tank to allow for protection and a place to grab once its down so you can get it up on the stand. just use 4 guys at the top of the stairs, two uppers and two lowers and work together at lowering the tank. Good luck.

Just to be clear the straps go around the bottom and the guys are above the tank.. sorry i was re reading and wanted to make sure that was clear.
 
You might want to double check the strength of those basement steps. Make sure there is a middle support, for example.

Checking your home owners insurance is a good idea too, just in case someone does get hurt. If someone went through a step, the weight of that sucker could slice them in half. Neat visual, huh?
 
its gona be easy to move, ever tried a fridge cart. my 150 is a hell of a lot smaller but i did it with my dad no problem,, down stairs, with a turn in the stairs too.
fridge carts also have handles at the top so its pretty easy to hold.. the rest can be done with man power.
 
I only have experience with moving tanks as heavy as 600 lbs down stairs so 1000 is a little out of my knowledge. I'd say put straps on it, but I don't know what you could put at the other end of the straps.
 
talk to coke and see if you can get a set of of the dollies they use for moving the 3 and 4 door fridges slick things they are.

then I would make a frame that exceeds the width of the tank just enough that I can line the frame with the solid foam insulation or some really good bubble wrap aroung the tank a couple of times then use binder straps like the kind that are used to lock down loads on flatdeck trailers.

I wish that I had the ability to draw for computer but will have to simply give a verbal picture.

Can you get a tow line around the tank if so call a towing company and rope around the tank and have them slowly lower it down the stairs. Horse saddle matts are a very good way to keep the tank from being messed up by this. At the bottom of the stairs rig up a couple of hydraulic telepost jacks combined with three people on each side with the suction cups and it should go easy as pie. I am pretty sure if you put 2 big dudes at the bottom they would be able to keep it from free hauling down the stairs

For the stairs I would definitely make a slide guide so that it has a flat surface to go down.

good luck with it an by all means please photo doc the whole thing should look good
 
I just came up with the easiest way of all!!!!!!

Are there any custom tank builders in your vicinity?

If so why not ask them if they can dissasemble the tank and then remake it in your basement? issue solved and you have a fresh and solid seal on the tank. bit more hassle but sure deal.
 
I would go with the flat dolly. Its basically a square platform with caster wheels. When you get to the stairs put a ramp and every couple of feet nail a 2x4 across so you can ease it down little at a time. Or just give up and I will take it off your hands :)
 
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