moving a large tank

[CUZ]

I need some input from people with some tank moving experience!!

I'm picking up a 300g tank this saturday, the house its coming out of should be easy as it has a walkout basement.
Problem I'm trying to troubleshoot is getting it into my house and downstairs.
Its straight down the stairs from the door but there won't be room for guys along the side of the tank. with it being in the 1000lb range i don't want to solely rely on the guys at the bottom from stopping a runaway.
I've toyed with the idea of a wooden "tobbogan" style platform to set it on with ropes of different lengths so that the guys at the top of the stairs can help control it along with the guys on the bottom.

Any other ideas or suggestions out there? I'm open to anything at this point I've 2 days to figure out a solid plan!!

ps ( no windows are big enough downstairs for any ninja missions thru a window)lol

 

[Blown76mav]

I used a piece of plywood 2ft wide x 7ft long. Then laid some blue foam on it. Then laid the tank face down on the foam. Two people in front of tank and let it slide down the stairs. The long plywood keeps the tank from bouncing on each step.

Just did this with my 240g.

 

[CUZ]

the tank I'm grabbing is 8 ft long so it would take a second peice of plywood to be attatched to work.
I'm wondering if I put a set of suction cup handles, one on each side, at the top end of the stairs and had pull ropes tied to them enabling the top guys to help with guiding it down the stairs?

 

[Blown76mav]

what about 2 10' x 6's with a piece of plywood screwed to the top?

 

[Turbovr3six]

Suction cups, some buddies, a bowl of Wheaties in the morning, followed by beer and pizza for your helpers after it makes it down.

If it were me, I would be sketched out just sliding it down how you described regardless of the plywood & foam. JMO opinion though since I've never moved a tank down a set of stairs.

Good luck and congrats on the new tank!

 

[Blown76mav]

If it were me, I would be sketched out just sliding it down how you described regardless of the plywood & foam. JMO opinion though since I've never moved a tank down a set of stairs.

It beats the suction cups letting go and the tank come crashing down. Been there done that, NEVER again.

 

[CUZ]

got it done!!!!!

snow was still on the ground so we actually used 3 of my kids crazy carpets/sleds to slide the tank right to the house!! lol work excellent!!!
then slid it right down the stair and up onto the stand,, now the fun begins!!

thanks for the input!!!

 

[Blown76mav]

Sweet, the most nerve racking part is over.

 

[Turbovr3six]

Congrats man!!

Oh, and nice tank!

 

[ptr13]

Nice tank,cant wait on the aquascaping and all the fun things,keep us posted.

 

[hebsway]

Nice Tank! The hard part is over. Now the Fun Begins