Noob help moving a Reefer 525 XL upstairs

[joe3737]

Greetings helpful reef enthusiasts,

My shiny new Red Sea 525XL is sitting in my garage laughing at me, because I can't decide the right way to get it upstairs to my office. I have to negotiate a landing and even with a couple strong folks helping me, it feels like it would be tight. My current thought is that, because these are packed so well and the glass is so thick, that I should

- Empty out all the excess weight from the shipping crate - cabinet, sump, etc.
- Pack the emptied space w/ peanuts or whatever
- Get an appliance dolly and attach to the bottom
- Muscle it up the stairs

Seems like most of the weight would be on the bottom of the tank for most of the journey, at 45 degrees on the steps, with one turn on the landing where it would have to be standing up on the end.

Nervous with my new baby. Anyone have experience doing similar?

Thanks!

r

 

[Sk8r]

I'd put cardboard and baggage straps tight enough to support but easy enough not to stress---around the tank in both directions, maybe get a piece of light plywood to tape to the top so it won't torque, and then get some really strong friends.

 

[billdogg]

What are the dimensions? Never mind - just googled it.

I have schlepped way too many tanks downstairs, upstairs, room to room, across town, etc over the years. The worst was a 30+ year old Oceanic 120 made of 1/2" glass. Getting it downstairs was easy. Getting it out to the garage to sell took me and a buddy, a tie down strap, and a dolly. A 6' 150 was actually easier because part of it was tempered and therefore thinner (and lighter) We just picked it up and trudged it up the steps.

Just take all the extra crap out of it so that it is just the tank and it won't weigh as much as you think. I'm a 55 year old somewhat overweight guy with a bad back and a 30 year old hip replacement and I know me and 1 guy could handle it no problem. Don't over think it and whatever you do, DON'T TRY TO BEND IT AROUND ANY CORNERS AND DON'T DROP IT!!!!

Pics when its set up please!

 

[Bent]

Muscle it. Man up.

 

[anthonys51]

i moved a 300 gallon tank twice, first time wasnt really prepared, and it was a pain, we ended up used moving blankets to move it, basically 3 guys on each side with blanket uner the tank and each grabbing one side of blanket. When i sold the tank, the guy came with those professional glass moving suction cups. man was it a piece of cake. if you can rent or get your hands on 4 of those it be as easy as moving a 30 gallan tank