Advice on moving a big tank

[GlassReef]

I have an 800lb glass tank arriving on the 29th. It will be installed "in wall" in a fish room. The tank is 96" X 36" X 25". It has to fit into a 97" X 29" hole in the wall in order to get it on the stand (which is on the other side of the wall). The problem is, the tank can only be gotten into the fish room by going through the hole in the wall. There is no other access (the door is too small and the room too narrow.

The problem I foresee is that, as the tank is put into the hole, there will be no way to lift it from the fish room side as the 36" deep stand will be in the way.

I have a feeling I have over explained this but has anyone had experience in this situation? How did you solve the problem.

Thanks

 

[KenT]

Build a stand/platform right next to the hole in the wall. Place the tank on the stand/platform, then slide it into the hole.

 

[SL38]

Get ALOT of man power!

 

[Tangwich]

and lots of these....good luck

http://www.powrgrip.com/cgi-bin/powrgrip/glass_hand_cups.html

 

[ozkrogh]

I had a similar problem with my 240gal tank that weighed in at around 500lbs. I had 1/2" styrofoam insulation taped down to the top of the stand and four of us were able to lift the tank up onto the stand and carefully slide the tank across the insulation. My tank is 30" deep and I had an extra 6" lip built onto the back of the stand as a utility ledge. I'd add a few of the suction cups that Tangwich mentioned (see if your local rental or glass company has any you can rent) and you shouldn't have any problems. I didn't have access to the suction cup handles with my tank but still managed to get it wrangled into place.

Good luck!

 

[GlassReef]

Copied from my build thread:

I've been running around for days trying to make sure I've thought of everything:

- Rent 10 suction cups to carry the tank
- Build 2 furniture dollies to roll the tank from the driveway to the house
- Build a ramp to get the dollies over the threshold
- Rent a hydraulic lift to raise the tank to the height of the stand
- make sure that everything is done in the fish room that can't be done once the tank is on the stand
- make sure there are enough strong men on hand (again - no offense, ladies)
- ensure there is enough food and beer available

What worries me the most is getting the tank off my trailer. It's a 5'X10' with 14" sides and a steel mesh gate/loading ramp. Well, I guess we'll see ....