We are moving into a tri-level so I am hoping the stair thing is do-able because its only half a flight of stairs. I looked into those straps and I don't think its gonna be possible. When I went to pick the tank up I brought 6 guys (all college athletes) and we had a hard time sliding it on a wood floor. The tank was custom built and the designer used two 3/4'' panes of glass on every side. He also welded a complete steel trim around the top and bottom (hopefully I can get a camera here and post some picks). When I calculated the weight of the glass it gave me roughly 1500lbs empty. After 6 of us could hardly budge it we ended up tilting it side to side and manged to get a 1'' PVC under it then hooked the winch on my Jeep around it and rolled it down the hallway and up on to the trailer (the ramp was real long).
moving 500 gallon
- Thread starter Loch Ness
- Start date
I think we will try to roll it on PVC to and through the house. I am building the stand and its gonna be 30" tall and I thinking i can just back that up right to the stairs and put a ramp from the top of the stairs to the stand (cutting the 45 degree angle of decent down to something reasonable). Then I'll roll the tank down the ramp right onto the stand. I just hope that goes smoothly, then I just have to figure out how to move the tank while its on the stand into position in the room.
didnt go thru all posts so if repost, apologies.
suction cup things that glass installers use. one per person and use as many as can fit on the sides of the stair case.
for safety but this is much easier suggested than applied is use those straps used to tie down cargo. some have winch lever type lock device. loop a couple long ones around long side and anchor them somewhere uptop, clicking it tight as you go.
or combination of above and make a wooden/steal base with a lip that can withstand the weight of the tank at 45 degrees for the bottom of the tank with a bottom that is rigid enough to withstand bowing on the glass. Put a piece of buffer such as foam for safety. thick plywood on stairs with knotches, securely screwed in. on the bottom of the base described above, attach fitting knotches. then using suction cups and straps, pull the tank up in steps.
might want to consult an engineer or general contractor for advice on specs.
oh just incase this hasnt been considered, make sure the upstairs floor can withstand the weight.
suction cup things that glass installers use. one per person and use as many as can fit on the sides of the stair case.
for safety but this is much easier suggested than applied is use those straps used to tie down cargo. some have winch lever type lock device. loop a couple long ones around long side and anchor them somewhere uptop, clicking it tight as you go.
or combination of above and make a wooden/steal base with a lip that can withstand the weight of the tank at 45 degrees for the bottom of the tank with a bottom that is rigid enough to withstand bowing on the glass. Put a piece of buffer such as foam for safety. thick plywood on stairs with knotches, securely screwed in. on the bottom of the base described above, attach fitting knotches. then using suction cups and straps, pull the tank up in steps.
might want to consult an engineer or general contractor for advice on specs.
oh just incase this hasnt been considered, make sure the upstairs floor can withstand the weight.
I know it's already been said... but please please please please don't put anybody in the line of fire while taking that thing down (or up) the stairs. Straps break, people slip, suction caps fail, glass fails, stairs fail, etc.. All it would take is one thing to go wrong and anybody in it's path would at the very least have a permanent disability if not a fatal injury.
Forget about putting 1, 2, 3 or 10 guys underneath it to control the descent. Use straps or ropes to control the descent from above. As has been said it would be a very good idea to create a cardboard or plywood "dummy" to ensure that it is going to travel the path you have intended without any issues, this way you dont end up with 1500lbs+ being held in place by some very exhausted guys while you try to figure out what to do next.
Plan the entire job start-finish and make sure that you have everything ready to go before you start moving anything. Ensure that you have addressed the risks and have controls in place to do this job safely. It's not worth hurting or killing anyone just to get a fishtank into the basement.
-Dave
Forget about putting 1, 2, 3 or 10 guys underneath it to control the descent. Use straps or ropes to control the descent from above. As has been said it would be a very good idea to create a cardboard or plywood "dummy" to ensure that it is going to travel the path you have intended without any issues, this way you dont end up with 1500lbs+ being held in place by some very exhausted guys while you try to figure out what to do next.
Plan the entire job start-finish and make sure that you have everything ready to go before you start moving anything. Ensure that you have addressed the risks and have controls in place to do this job safely. It's not worth hurting or killing anyone just to get a fishtank into the basement.
-Dave
