Need advice on moving large tank partially filled

[highergroove]

I am doing some remodeling and need to move my 300 gallon glass tank out of a room (which is being torn down) and into another temporarily, then move it back. I have a 6" sand bed that has been established for the last 12 years and want to disturb it as little as possible (it has southdown which I hear is no longer available). I plan to drain it down to the level of the sand and then move it and put everything back in for a couple months and then do the same to move it back.

Any great ideas on the best method. I am afraid to carry it because - it will be ridiculously heavy! I had an idea to build a cart out of metal or wood (advice on which?) with some heavy duty castors and then roll it into the next room (which will have a ramp since there is about a 4" difference) and then maybe leave it on the cart, maybe build another temp stand.

Any thoughts on this or something better??

 

[guserto4]

Use this to guess your tank weight:

http://boonedocks.net/fishtank/ftweb.php

Then plan accordingly! Maybe rent a heavy duty dolly cart... Or a few.

Good luck!

 

[highergroove]

Thanks...looking at about 1500lbs ...eeek...

 

[benjc]

If you find a way to get the tank onto a dolly/furniture mover, make sure to have a lot of wheels on the ground so as to not damage your flooring. Also, you may want to get some straps and a team of guys together when you roll the tank down the ramp. Getting the tank onto/off of the ramp could be tricky; when going down the ramp, the front end of the tank will lift off the floor when you go onto the ramp and the center of the tank will lift off the floor when you go off the ramp (and vice versa).

 

[goofyreefer]

Do it like the Egyptians.... Use a bunch of wooden dowles and roll the tank on them. Make the ramp so it doesn't have a steep angle as well. I would have some straps around the stand and pull it as well as push it. I hope your stand is well built.