Moving a 400 gallon

[Fish Tank Travis]

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I found a glass weight calculator online. When I ran the numbers and added up the weight of all the sides, it can out to about 735lbs, and that is for the bare tank with no top at all. If there is a top then it will most certainly be over 800, maybe even closer to 900lbs.

To put that into perspective, if 4 guys were to lift the tank, one on each corner, then they would each be, roughly, lifting an awkward 200lbs. I'm a pretty big guy and I don't believe I could handle that, even if it is just a short trip to a cart and then from a cart to a trailer. I really urge you to get at least 6 guys but I still think that 8 would be best. Have you set a date that you will plan to pick it up?

 

[Woefulrelic]

Moving my 300 with 6 people was some of the jankiest stuff I've done in my life, but we didn't do it smart.

 

[ChrisM101]

straps will leave marks and do some damage on your backs. Two guys strapped my 300 gallon down a set of stairs and the bottom guy well needed a pack of muscle relaxers ... and a few beers. lol !! piano skids work perfectly !!!

nah we're not doing the crazy carry with straps thing, just using them to lift and place on moving Dollies. Then its just push down the hall and onto an elevator down to basement level and down a ramp to an external door. lift again onto a trailer.

 

[ChrisM101]

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I found a glass weight calculator online. When I ran the numbers and added up the weight of all the sides, it can out to about 735lbs, and that is for the bare tank with no top at all. If there is a top then it will most certainly be over 800, maybe even closer to 900lbs.

To put that into perspective, if 4 guys were to lift the tank, one on each corner, then they would each be, roughly, lifting an awkward 200lbs. I'm a pretty big guy and I don't believe I could handle that, even if it is just a short trip to a cart and then from a cart to a trailer. I really urge you to get at least 6 guys but I still think that 8 would be best. Have you set a date that you will plan to pick it up?

I wont attempt it at less than 6 guys, probably have a few extras around to help if needed.

 

[ChrisM101]

Moving my 300 with 6 people was some of the jankiest stuff I've done in my life, but we didn't do it smart.

What were the major obstacles that you encountered?

Here are mine as i see already.

I pumping out the water. 4-500 gallons but no sink window or anything else near.

have to run a hose down the hall to a bathroom sink.

Elevator is 98 inches deep tank is 96 inches

making turns in hallways

lifting 7-800+ pounds... it sets a few inches down into the base.

Deconstruction of the system, its plumbed and wired ten different directions.
Thru Chiller, reactor, skimmer, sump refugium, returns etc.

Removing corals... They're on glass and the pumps and the overflow probably even the sump.
I dont want to kill them but i have zero experience with them or removing them.

 

[Freshwater4Life]

I think 6 will be more than enough moved a 220 (480lbs )into a third story loft with 3 people including myself and no dolly It wasn't preferable but we handled it. Just don't lift with your back lol.

 

[Woefulrelic]

I don't have a detailed response. The difficulties I faced were obstacles like gates and doors too thin to fit people, putting the tank down and picking it up is awful. I would get something to hold the tank on for an elevator. I would look into those moving table thingies. If you have long hallways it would save you so much hardship. It would also make it easier to get the tank side ways and push it back so you can fit people. The biggest pain was just the weight, we were undermanned and I'm a huge puss. We worked hard, not smart.

 

[the big kahuna]

I've seen used hospital gurnies on sale on craigslist for $150-$200. Raise it up slide the tank on, lower it down if needed. its padded and on swivel wheels so easy to navigate around corners and up and down ramps, and most of them have a weight capacity of 800-1000lbs. I may get one for my next move, use it and resell it or maybe stick it in the garage for future use.

 

[ChrisM101]

I've seen used hospital gurnies on sale on craigslist for $150-$200. Raise it up slide the tank on, lower it down if needed. its padded and on swivel wheels so easy to navigate around corners and up and down ramps, and most of them have a weight capacity of 800-1000lbs. I may get one for my next move, use it and resell it or maybe stick it in the garage for future use.

Ahh I liked this until i ran over to check the stretchers we use in this hospital... Rated 700lbs...
Same as the ones in that hospital /office there.

 

[jwh]

How about making it a removal company's problem. If you get it a good price sell off the salty stuff to pay a removal company to move it for you?