Suggestions on how to move a large tank

[dacaptain78]

Greetings everyone,
If all goes well I plan to purchase a Marineland Deep Dimension 300 gallon tank after the holidays. The first challenge will be convincing my wife that I 'need' this tank. The next challenge will be actually getting such a behemoth of a tank down to my basement.

The doorway leading to the basement is only 30 inches wide. If I lay the tank on its back it will fit through the doorway. The stairway itself, however, is not much wider. At best there will be room for two people at each end of the tank to carry it down the stairs, but not enough room for anyone to hold the sides of the tank.

Can anyone suggest a safe method for getting the tank down into my basement without killing one of the movers, or cracking the tank itself? All ideas welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

[pbnj]

Build something like a sled (or just a piece of plywood) and secure the tank to it. Using a rope (in a sling-like fashion), slide/guide it down the stairs.

 

[pbnj]

...or just buy a 24" tank.

 

[am3gross]

2 people should be able to hold it if they are not small individuals... i would think that the dimensions of the tank would make it easier to handle then a longer tank of the same size... let us know how it works out and post lots of pics!

 

[pbnj]

Don't forget that even if 2 people manage to fit in a 30" stairway, they'll still be carrying almost all of the weight of the tank because they're at the bottom.

 

[dacaptain78]

...or just buy a 24" tank.

Yes, but a 36 inch wide tank is so damn sexy.

 

[dacaptain78]

Don't forget that even if 2 people manage to fit in a 30" stairway, they'll still be carrying almost all of the weight of the tank because they're at the bottom.

That is my main concern. i guess I should contact the manufacturer and find out how much the tank weighs. I like the sled idea. I would definitley need my wife out of the house if I go with that method though. The sight of a plywood sled and ropes would surely send her into a murderous rage.

 

[Wilberheim]

I think the best bet here is 2 very strong people who are capable movers. Just going to have to go slow and steady and always have at least the two people with hands on it at all times.

 

[bullitr]

i like the plywood idea but i don't think 2 mover can lift this thing. i have a 300 acrylic and its hard for us to move it between me and 2 movers.yours are glass maybe 3X heavier.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Plywood sled + a piece of plywood at the end going down such that the strain goes on the brace and not the glass. A rope around the tank with a couple strong guys at the top of the stairs, a couple strong guys at the bottom of the stairs, and slowly lower it... use some pulley system too if you can get away with it... just note if the guys at the bottom fail most likely whomever is at the top will follow the tank down the stairs.

 

[ebman74]

I used an appliance dolly with tank-like treads. I had two of us on the top and two on the bottom and took it one step at a time.

 

[Volcano1]

Used a ply sled on the stairs. Put some syro an the end of the tank and loop a tow strap around. A couple on top , a couple on the bottom. Lower slowly. Move to and from the door / stairs by using some pvc pipe cut as rollers. Place the pvc underneath and roll wherever you need. Saves on the back until you have to get it on the stand. Rent or borrow some suction cups for moving glass. Put a couple peole on each end , lift onto stand.Find a way to "stick" your syro to the ply going on top of your stand. If not one or the other will slide when you put the tank on. This is what I did with a 96 x 36 x 28 any way.HTH's

Todd

 

[dacaptain78]

Thank you for the ideas gentlemen. Guess I will have to fire up the circular saw and start building a sled. I guess i will tell the wife it is a Christmas decoration.

 

[pbnj]

Too funny. :lmao:

 

[scott473]

Have it taken apart then have it put back together in your basement? Good luck with the wife.

 

[ShipWreck2]

Easiest way to move a big tank...Hire an INSURED moving company.

 

[jinjo64]

+ 1 on the insured mover... thats what I did for my 450.

 

[dogfrog]

pay the price for a mover. Either a household company or a piano mover. And dongs in the wall they will pay to fix and if the tank crashes down the steeps... Well guess who gets a new one free. Well worth the $200 to $400 for this. Make sure to also have insurance.

 

[swenholz]

I have used the forearm forklift things you see on the infomercials and they work GREAT! might be just the solution your are looking for and they don't cost and arm and a leg (pun fully intended).
http://www.forearmforklift.com/

 

[vangogh121]

Have them send the glass and You Silicon it yourself in the basement?


Make sure you have glass suction cups, It makes the job soooo much easier.