Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JeffroM on February 12, 2012, 05:40:52 PM

Title: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: JeffroM on February 12, 2012, 05:40:52 PM
Anyone have experience moving a monster size GLASS tank.  Like 300 gallon (6'x3'x27") monster size.  I don't even know how 4 guys could lift the thing and moving through door ways???

Looking for serious comments from people with actual experience!


BTW, yes Marty I know your busy that day and yes Gary we would like you to supervise and watch.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Ron on February 12, 2012, 06:08:30 PM
Not sure I really qualify to comment - biggest tank I've moved by myself is a 150 gallon glass tank from a second floor to the first floor.

Best bet is to put it on dollies through doorways.

You'd also probably want to get some of those suction-cup handles used for heavy glass moving.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Regalblue on February 12, 2012, 06:13:00 PM
Motorohorn/ RayMan has a 72x30xat least 30
you might wanna ask him.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: JeffroM on February 12, 2012, 07:39:24 PM
I'm strongly considering buying this monster.  Price is NOT fantastic, but everything else is awesome.

If I was already moved in a new house I would have purchased it.  (Still don't see anything on the market house wise worthy of buying).  My biggest issue with buying it is having to move it and if I bought it I would have to move it TWICE.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: GrizzlysDad on February 12, 2012, 07:54:58 PM
Use a moving company with insurance and, preferably, experience moving heavy items such as pianos. I used the same moving company to move my 600g both in and out of the house. I also used them to load another monster tank for me after that.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: JeffroM on February 12, 2012, 08:10:02 PM
Use a moving company with insurance and, preferably, experience moving heavy items such as pianos. I used the same moving company to move my 600g both in and out of the house. I also used them to load another monster tank for me after that.
How much did that cost?  Do you have a referral on the company you used?
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: SKISWETPETS on February 12, 2012, 09:08:55 PM
Anyone have experience moving a monster size GLASS tank.  Like 300 gallon (6'x3'x27") monster size.  I don't even know how 4 guys could lift the thing and moving through door ways???

Looking for serious comments from people with actual experience!


BTW, yes Marty I know your busy that day and yes Gary we would like you to supervise and watch.
I really like how you had to add to this post you were looking for serious comments only...  :P :P You know, since your usually the one with the smart A#$ comments and all...LOL ;D
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: JeffroM on February 12, 2012, 10:15:19 PM
I really like how you had to add to this post you were looking for serious comments only...  :P :P You know, since your usually the one with the smart A#$ comments and all...LOL ;D
Well, when you are known as an intelligent donkey you invite responses from other intelligent donkeys.   :P
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Cadman2000 on February 12, 2012, 11:05:37 PM
I really like how you had to add to this post you were looking for serious comments only...  :P :P You know, since your usually the one with the smart A#$ comments and all...LOL ;D
Well, when you are known as an intelligent donkey you invite responses from other intelligent donkeys.   :P

When one calls ones self intelligent it is far from wise, as only a fool believes in his own foolishness. Just thought I would relay that tid bit for you.

I have never moved a large tank, and with a tank the size you are speaking of I would agree with those that have posted before me. Finding glass moving suction cups to assist with gripping, get as many guys as you can to distribute the weight and crafting some moving dollies to assist with the whole process. Since you are still looking for you home and it will be new, we could always take a saws-all and cut a bigger door for you to bring it in too.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Regalblue on February 12, 2012, 11:35:39 PM
What's the weight on the tank? 
I can't see it being too hard, as long as stairs aren't involved
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: JeffroM on February 13, 2012, 01:16:58 AM
What's the weight on the tank? 
I can't see it being too hard, as long as stairs aren't involved
Looked it up and the tank weighs 450lbs.  Unfortunately I believe stairs are involved.

The tank has 2 built in overflows.  I can't find the GPH ratings but I'm led to believe each overflow is rated for 650 GPH.  That isn't near enough filtration rate.  Need to do more research.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: GrizzlysDad on February 13, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
Use a moving company with insurance and, preferably, experience moving heavy items such as pianos. I used the same moving company to move my 600g both in and out of the house. I also used them to load another monster tank for me after that.
How much did that cost?  Do you have a referral on the company you used?

I'll see if I can find their contact info.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Ron on February 13, 2012, 06:29:46 AM
Looked it up and the tank weighs 450lbs.  Unfortunately I believe stairs are involved.
Stairs as in a full case of stairs or just some porch steps? 4 guys should make it manageable.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Regalblue on February 13, 2012, 09:07:18 AM
Looked it up and the tank weighs 450lbs.  Unfortunately I believe stairs are involved.
Stairs as in a full case of stairs or just some porch steps? 4 guys should make it manageable.

That is what I'm thinking too.
A Dolly, some blankets&  suction cups
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: SKISWETPETS on February 13, 2012, 12:01:46 PM
Hey we move 400lb cast iron tubs at work quite a bit, with two guys. One guy most of the time with a hand cart/dolly the two wheel kind with the lip on it. I would say that if 4 guys couldn't move it with ease... You have the wrong four guys.. :P :P
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: JeffroM on February 13, 2012, 12:56:24 PM
Carrying 112.5lbs each is harder than it sounds, but do-able.  The problem is that it is awkward, large, made of glass (that breaks easily) and 2 guys can't fit through a doorway at the same time.

Sounds like the guy is going to have it sold before I can even get out to look at it anyways. 

Plus the filtration flow rate has me concerned.  I wouldn't want to spend that kind of money and still have to deal with canisters as added filtration.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Rob S on February 13, 2012, 01:49:44 PM
The suction cups are key so that you can hold the tank on the inside edges when you are going through doorways. Four strong guys and the right tools, you should be fine.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: kodyboy on February 14, 2012, 11:34:35 AM
I have moved a tank close to that size (an eight foot glass tank around 400 pounds) with three guys and it was not too bad.  The problem was more turning corners than anything else.  One thing that helps is to have an object that can be moved with the tank to rest it on, we used a large rubbermade trash can with rollers and it helped (one of the kids pushed it around as needed).  Two things: two really strong guys are really helpful since you may get to areas where only one person can fit and make really sure that the tank is not wet:) I have never used the suction cups, but they look awesome.
Title: Re: Monster Fish Tank Moving
Post by: Ron on February 14, 2012, 12:48:03 PM
I would say that if 4 guys couldn't move it with ease... You have the wrong four guys.. :P :P
Well said!