how to move a reef

[Audrey]

Morning! I am looking for info on how to move my 150 reef. It is a 72" X 18" X 30" starphire tank. The glass is 1/2", so I estimate the empty tank weighs 300+ lbs.

I am well versed in how to package the corals and fish, and to remove all LR and sand.

What I am not sure about is how to move the empty tank. Would it be safest to use an appliance cart? Other ideas?

It was brought in by 2 men-I am looking to find a safer (less risk of dropping the tank and injury to humans or glass!!).

Any thoughts out there?

Thanks

Audrey

 

[TulsaReefer]

How far are you moving it? When had my 110 moved, with is probably weighs a little less, it was done by the movers who did the rest of my house. They crated it up in a custom built wooden crate all around made out of 1x4s and plywood, so it wouldn't get damaged. Then they wheeled it out on a couple dollys. It was going over 100 miles though, in the same truck as the rest of my household goods. For a shorter move I'd just use a couple appliance dollys since rolling it closer to the ground is probably safer (for both tank and people) than carrying it. Make sure you support it well on the dollys though, tanks aren't meant to be supported by the bottom glass, but around the edges, so you should put a few cross braces down before putting it on the dolly so it doesn't put pressure on the bottom glass.

Or you may check with your LFS, I know a couple where I live will happily help you move a tank for a reasonable cost, and they have experienced crews that know how to handle big an bulky tanks, and where they can lift and not lift and such. And they have suction cups and dollys already set up to move tanks, and they really don't charge too much for the service in the end.

 

[KEstep]

I use furniture dollies on large tanks. You can cute plywood to the dimensions of your tank ends to make sure the edges of the tank are taking the weight and not the bottom glass. Just put one on each end of the tank. I just moved a 175 bowfront with 4 people and a 150 DAS (DAS tanks are very heavy because they build on the oak canopy onto the top of the tank) with 3. The dollies make it very easy if you are going pretty far with it. Make sure you remove all your sand.

 

[KEstep]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10115900#post10115900 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KEstep
You can cute plywood to the dimensions of your tank ends to make sure the edges of the tank are taking the weight and not the bottom glass.

I meant to say cut not cute.