Moving a tank without completely emptying it

[Razor]

I'm helping a friend move his tank to another location in the house, problem is we can't get the rock out.

The way the tank was setup, the rock was epoxied to each other and they used acrylic rods in some places to maintain the rock formation. This means once the rock went in, it wasn't coming out.

We can empty all the water from the tank, but can't lift the tank and stand without mechanical assistance (There is 500 lbs of rock in the tank).

Has anyone used any kind of jack or hydraulic lift to move a tank? Any suggestions would be great.

 

[jandree22]

Holy lord, why not just chizel the rock apart into managable pieces then re-epoxy?! Your proposal is asking for disaster, IMO. Perhaps I'm wrong. I'll be interested to see what others say about your situation... Either way, good luck

 

[Anonymous]

I actually saw a uber ghetto DIY project where someone moved a tank & stand full of water (although this was in house). They cut holes in the bottom of the stand, put some rolling device there (can't recall what it was), and put jacks on each of them (with wood blocks to distribute the pressure) and just jacked the whole thing up an inch or so, and rolled it where they needed it, and let the jacks down.

So yeah it can be done, I would SERIOUSLY make a subframe (2x6s or something) that distributes all the weight evenly along the bottom though.

 

[jay24k]

If you have all the water out, then I would use a jack and jack it up. Then put it on a 2x4 frame with metal casters that can hold the weight you need. Then just roll it. Even with some water in it you could do it but obviously it's going to way ALOT more.

 

[Omni2226]

Furniture dollys. Made to hold up to half a ton each. Get em at home depot or lowes. Cheap.

Like stated jack up one end at a time. Just be careful not to twist the tank side ways. Now as to how to get a jack under there to start with....

 

[Razor]

My fear is that moving the tank with the rock still inside may break the seals. Someone mentioned that moving a full tank will break the seals, and then you're really in trouble. Is this scenario only if the water is in the tank?

 

[Omni2226]

Im no egineer but have moved a few tanks, some with water some with out. Nothing this big tho a 40 and a 55. Main issue is to not let the tank twist. Had it happen to the 40 and the seal in one bottom corner leaked.

Tilting it up on one end shouldnt hurt the seals if there is no water pushing on it. Those dollys I mention are about 3 inches high so it aint like you have to jack it up several feet.

Put the water in some tubs or buckets.

 

[jay24k]

Do it with the stand. Open the door and jack it up with the wood and put the casters on the bottom of the sand. This way to structural integrity will be comprimised.

 

[Anonymous]

Best would be not to do this.

But if you are hell bent on it, do it with the stand. Do not try to jeck up the tank itself because with 500 pounds of weight on that bottom glass, you don't want to try to guess at evenly distributing weight across the bottom frame of the tank. Better to jack the stand up and move that.


Have a camera handy....I love seeing pictures of tank related disasters. They make me feel greatful its not my tank! :lol:

 

[Razor]

Seeing that you're in Miami, Manny, I'll come pick you up and you can take the pictures yourself

 

[Anonymous]

Ha. Didn't notice that. You know....that's something I might want to see for myself.

I'll bring my safety glasses! :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

I moved one of my tanks with 3/4 full of water, so that is more than that 500 lb of rock you have in there. I used a home-made dolly, and the move was only a few yard, within the living room. YMMV, obviously.

Depends on the size of your tank, and how young (risk-taking) you are, you maybe able to pull this off. However, IMO, you better of going in with a hack saw and cut the rock into pieces to be assemble later. It is not much more work (without actually seeing your tank...), and it is worth the extra time.

 

[fungia]

i think a good trick is to get a flat board and slide the tank on to the board instead of trying to support the tank with your hands. if you can distribute the weight more evenly you are safer. i have done this with a 20 gallon still 1/2 filled, i would be scared to do it on a tank bigger then 40 gallons.

 

[SnowManSnow]

wouldnt do it.

b