Moving a large'ish tank

[RedStangGA]

I'll be relocating a currently empty 6ft 220gal tank from the Atlanta area to the Orlando area some time in the next couple of months.

Any advice on how to move the tank? It'll be in a u-haul. Should I put it on a piece of plywood, foam, or something else?

I moved my 60 cube down a couple of weeks ago and it appears to be just fine. The 220 is a completely different beast though.

Thanks.

 

[codydemmel4]

I am interested in suggestions too. Also around how many guys it would take to move a 180 gallon which isnt much smaller then a 220 gallon.

 

[trembz]

I am interested in suggestions too. Also around how many guys it would take to move a 180 gallon which isnt much smaller then a 220 gallon.

I had great success moving a 150gallon with 50 gallon sump that was running for 2 years with 10+ fish, and 150pounds of live rock and I moved 80% of the water. I did the whole tank breakdown and had it back up and running in less than 2.5 hrs...granted I moved it 10mins away lol. But I did this with my girlfriend and my 17year old brother ... proud of that achievement (no losses)

 

[Fitz19d]

I'd think a truck bed would be a little better. Easier to block in the base of the tank to help prevent it sliding around. On a big uhual even going slow a sudden braking could send it shooting off whatever board you have it on. (I think a good idea as surface of them can be rough.) I am not sure you can strap the tank directly, while it holds much more weight filled, a sudden shifting slamming it's own weight against a strap might be bad.


I'd say 4 non wimps as long as it's not an ancient mega thick glass. For especially short distances might even be able to squeeze by with 2 or 3 with above average built guys.

 

[druzzelle]

pallets and lots of padding and strap it down. if you have other items going into the truck with it make sure they have no way of falling or sliding into the tank. when I moved my 240 (across country) I strapped mdf to the bottom and that was also strapped to a pallet. I put multiple layers of cardboard around the entire outside and a layer inside and filled it with old pillows, then plastic wrapped the whole thing. I liked the pallet because it was wider than my tank and didnt allow it to touch the truck walls at all.. some may say I went way overboard, but better safe than sorry.. best of luck!!!

 

[RedStangGA]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I will go with mdf underneath it and may even put some on the sides with cardboard sandwiched in between the mdf and glass.

There will be a ton of other stuff going too. I plan on putting the stand and canopy on top of the tank to help protect it and might sandwich all of those between two mattresses.

As for moving it. 4 guys if you're carrying it any sort of distance. 4 of us carried my 220 about 40 yards without much issue including going down some steps. If you have some furniture dollies that will help. Still need some muscle to lift it up and put on a stand though.

The U-haul will be packed. Not worried about it sliding around.

 

[druzzelle]

I wouldnt put the canopy or anything else on top of the tank... you really dont want anything touching it... a canopy could shift, bounce, move and damage the tank.. seal the top with cardboard and plastic wrap

 

[d-man]

Yes, plywood base, lots of padding for the sides and tie downs. You will be fine, it'll be an easy move. Enclosed in the uhaul is safer than truck bed

 

[usmc1812]

Pick up truck with a 6' bed. Wrap the tank with an old comforter. Get some floor dollys and at least four strong guys. Should not be a problem

 

[colodano]

I assume you already made the move, but if not...

I moved my 180 out of my house with one other person, got it across the country, and moved into the basement of the new place with 3 guys helping me maneuver it down the stairs.

In transit it was standing on end, fully wrapped with uhaul blankets on all sides, 2 layers thick. the stand was next to it, and I had that space packed full with blankets as well. The tank had some light boxes inside, which were fully padded against the tank with more blankets to prevent shifting. this was against the back wall, tank base facing the wall. Next "wall" in the tank was boxes that fit snug side to side and floor to ceiling, and strapped snug to prevent shifting. Made it ~2000 miles safely, much to my relief since I packed the crates but had uhaul ship them, not a truck I drove.

 

[RedStangGA]

I assume you already made the move, but if not...

I moved my 180 out of my house with one other person, got it across the country, and moved into the basement of the new place with 3 guys helping me maneuver it down the stairs.

In transit it was standing on end, fully wrapped with uhaul blankets on all sides, 2 layers thick. the stand was next to it, and I had that space packed full with blankets as well. The tank had some light boxes inside, which were fully padded against the tank with more blankets to prevent shifting. this was against the back wall, tank base facing the wall. Next "wall" in the tank was boxes that fit snug side to side and floor to ceiling, and strapped snug to prevent shifting. Made it ~2000 miles safely, much to my relief since I packed the crates but had uhaul ship them, not a truck I drove.

Yep, made the move.

Put it up on a pair of furniture dollies and got it onto a u-haul trailer with the stand, canopy, and a bunch of other stuff. My 10yo son and I unloaded it into the garage. Looks no worse for wear but I'll find out for sure when I leak test it when we go down permanently in a couple of weeks. The dollies kept anything from touching the glass and it was surrounded by boxes besides. Not as much trouble as I'd thought it would be.