Aquarium on wheels?

[quan325i]

I'd like to setup my aquarium in the dining room right now but I really don't want to take it down in 2 years when I can afford to upgrade my floor from carpet to wood floor. I've seen movers used dolly with heavy duty wheels to move stuff around and I really just need to move the aquarium a short distance (20ft away) from the carpet area to a tile area. My tank is 100g, 48x24x20 and it's acrylic with small opening so it's much less prone to breakage or spill. I did some calculation and estimate the weight of a half full tank with all the equipments is around 1500lbs. Will a dolly with 6 wheels (each wheel can hold 1000lb), with my tank setup on top from the beginning, help me achieve my goal down the road?

QN

 

[CoolUsername]

Great idea. My brother (he's a civil engineer) told me he wanted to do the same thing when he builds his stand. Maybe build the stand with a flange around the bottom so you can't see the wheels.

I think you will need some thing for the wheels to sit on instead of the carpet. All that weight would normally leave divits in the carpet. If you are throwing it away then no big deal. I'm curious how the wheels will roll on carpet supporting 1500 lbs. I guess size would be an issue. Anyone have ideas on size?

 

[jasonj90]

i would say that pneumatic tires would work the best. you could let the air out when the tank is in place, and when you are ready to move the tank just fill the tires back up. seems that it should work since they are rated for combined 6000 lbs. the carpet would be hard to move that much weight over, but once you get it all rolling, it shouldnt be so bad. you could also throw down some louan sheets to aid in moving the tank. my only concern would be how top heavy the load would be while moving. if you had about 4 people moving/ stabilizing, you will likely be fine. let us know how it works out...

 

[Lemmz]

the problem isnt in the casters, it lies in the weight being localized in 6 areas af about 2" square. unless it is a concrete slab chances of the flooring taking that kind of localized weight are slim

 

[quan325i]

The carpet is actually on a concrete slab.

 

[jasonj90]

then you will be fine

 

[BeanAnimal]

I would plan on draining most of the water into holding bins for the move. The corals will be fine. The fish... they should be fine as well as long as you are quick. The one that can be caught could be.

Just be gentle and dont stir everything up. You could also build in a few places to put in lifting bars. When it is time to move you and your friends can lift the partly drained unit and slide the custom made dolly underneath.

As mentioned pneumatic tures would be your best bet. Plywood runner over the carpet would also help.

 

[Sullyman]

This could be the begining of new wave making technology.

 

[wjhuie]

Try more wheels I think that dispursing the weight over a larger area would make it easier to move.

 

[30mini]

I agree with the more wheels. Not only will it dispurse the weight, but making it easier to move is a plus! The more wheels, the less wieght per wheel, hence creating less stress per wheel allowing for easier move

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7888811#post7888811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonj90
the carpet would be hard to move that much weight over, but once you get it all rolling, it shouldnt be so bad.

I like the idea of the pneumatic tires. As for moving it, I think I'd use a come along to move something that massive, top heavy, and expensive.

With one of these and a few places to attach it to, moving the tank would be a breeze and more importantly safe.

 

[TroyPierce]

When I built my stand (for my 125 gal), I added casters to the stand. I used 4x4s for the bottom frame and 4x4 braces (front to back). I bolted 2 x 2 angle iron to the 4x4s and bolted the casters to these.

I made sure the wheels were about 1/8 to 1/4 inch higher than the corner posts. Once set in place, I set the corner posts on spacers made of tile and pieces of 1/8" acrylic shims to level the stand and keep the weight off the wheels.

In order to lever the sides up to shim them without damage, I put an 1/8 inch steel plate under the sides. Using a crow bar, I can lever it high enough to put in the shims.

It moved so smoothly (on concrete floor). If my worst fears come true and it crashes to the floor, the farthest it can go is about 1/8 inch.

 

[dochou]

Troy, how is your stand holding out now? Do you have any pics of the wheels and stand and etc?