Moving a 55 Gallon With Sand

[MaineReef22]

I have to move my 55 gallon across the room and im using this oppurtunity to add to my sand bed. My sand bed right now is a couple inches deep about 60 to 65 lbs and i dont want to disturb it since its been established for a couple of years now. My question is after i remove the rocks,coral and fish and drain as much water as possible down to the sand bed would i be able to pick the tank up and move it across the room safely or will the weight of the sand break the tank?

 

[brycerb]

I don't think one person will be able to pick it up, but get two people and it should be do able. If you have to go it alone, just pick up one side and move it a little. Pick up the other side and move a little. I have done this before with a 180 and it worked. (I only had to move it a couple inches from the wall) Good luck

 

[whickerda]

The sand shouldn't break the tank. I have moved a 55 with a 4-5 inch sandbed with the help of a friend a couple of times. Just make sure not to make sudden movements. Be very slow, deliberate, and careful and you should be fine.

 

[wedwards]

There are things you can buy at Lowe's that you can put underneath the stand at the corners and that allows you to just slide it without even having to pick it up. I used them once, took out about half my water (from a 55) left everything else in, and could do it by myself. Having someone their to help is a good idea though just in case.

 

[Palting]

+1. I and 3 friends moved my 110 gal with a 2" sandbed 18 feet across the room to make way for the 150gal. So, no, it shouldn't break the tank bottom. I don't know how big you and your frends are, but it may not be a bad idea to have a halfway station, a table or a stand where you can put the tank down halfway. You do not want to put that tank on the floor midway.

 

[bpoore89]

I moved mine when I bought a new stand for it. We placed all the fish in a cooler with water, and saved as much water as we could. We had plenty of fresh salt water on hand just in case (and we ended up using it, dont skip this step). Then I drained all the water I could and left my sand bed in it, and with the help of my brother (you deff need two people) we moved it and placed it on my bed. Swapped the stands out and put it back. Refilled and it was all good!

 

[gbtrain]

I help a buddy of mine move his 55 tank in his living room. It was a freshwater with all his gravel and about 1/3 of the water with no issues