Moving Tank

[morgan]

Hi, I am having a new tank soon (Juwel Rio 300) and I need to move my present tank (Juwel Rekord 96) as the new tank is going in it's place and the old tank is going - I don't know where yet but I'm keeping it! My question is , is it possible to move a not very big tank a few feet without completely emptying it? I don't want to just try it without asking in case someone has done something similar and could advise please. I thought if I took out 40 litres of water and then we pushed it across the carpet would that cause any damage to tank or stand? Also would it stress the fish to have half their usual amount of water for a very short time.? I have a Common Pleco (9" so hence reason for new tank), a Golden Apple Snail and 10 Mollies. and a Guppy. I don't need to ask about seeding new tank as I have read posts about that and also person in lfs has told me the same advice ( I didn't ask, he just told me anyway, which I thought was very good. He even offered me some Koi bags to keep the tank water in while I change over). Sorry about long post, wanted you to know all the relevant details. Thanks.

 

[Luke_e]

I've heard that 50% of the water taken out should help, try lifting it with 50% of the water out, not sure if i'd slide it though, as it could damage the stand/frame work, probably better to lift it if you can, use 3 people (2 to carry, 1 to watch out for objects in the way, and "left left left a bit, no right a bit" etc.. )

 

[morgan]

Thanks for the fast reply. I think you are right, it would be better to lift it. It hasn't got to go far. annoyingly, just about 3 - 4 feet and turn 90 degrees at the same time.

 

[Luke_e]

No problem... i had my tank in my bedroom, problem was my room was way to warm with the PC and all other electrials in such a small space, so i had to move it downstairs (had no fish in, just water/rocks/etc) and me an my mum slid it down the stairs (BAD BAD BAD IDEA) and almost smashed it, so it would of been best to empty it completly (in this case, as we only emptied 70%) due to the distance.
Anyways, hope it goes well (sure it will).
EDIT: Also if 50% removed is too heavy, remove another 10 - 20% (or your own judgement untily ou can lift it), but i wouldnt remove too much for too long.

 

[leafs]

I recently moved my 30 gal tank to another floor and I emptied all but an inch of water and then moved it. It was still heavy without most of the water. You could be asking for trouble if you try to move it with 50% of the water in it. I think 1 gallon weights about 8.5 pounds if I'm not mistaken.

 

[morgan]

Thanks. I've been looking at the tank this afternoon and I think I could take out quite a bit more than half. I will keep the water and put it back in as soon the tank is in place. It's going to be a lot of work and hassle but I am looking forward to seeing my fish in their new home!

 

[trace1]

hi we moved our 28uk gal last week into our dining room, we just got a couple of buckets & managed to keep most of the tank water. we even left some of the water in the bottom of the tank move went really well.
althou we have moved it with about a quater of the water left in there but that was only a slide across the floor & it was a wooden floor

 

[morgan]

Just to double-check, it will be ok to leave the fish in won't it? It must have been much easier with a wooden floor, did you mark it? Not sure exactly when I am getting tank, it takes one week to arrive. Hope to order it soon. It's my Xmas and birthday present combined! I said we should order it before the Xmas rush. Don't know if they have a rush on fish tanks, just trying to hurry things along!

 

[trace1]

no didn't mark floor, we did however scratch the front door frame bringing the new tank in on saturday lol. looks like some1 had a crow bar on it

 

[rdd1952]

I haven't moved a tank yet but will soon have to move a 75 gallon. One thing I was warned about is that f I moved it with all the substrate and some water still in it, to be very careful not to jar it as it could cause the bottom to crack. Even with all the water removed down to the substrate, you will probably still have close to 100 lb of sand/gravel, water, plants, decorations in the tank. That's a good bit of weight if you "bump" the tank.

It would be better if you could find a way to move stand and all together. That way the tank would still have support under it. I plan to use some type of 1/2" to 3/4" pipe to roll move to where I need to move it. I will actually have to move mine twice as we are going to have to put new flooring down. it will have to be moved out of the way and then back into place once the flooring is down.

 

[trace1]

yeah we moved ours with the stand all in 1 go far easier than getting the tank of the stand moving that then the stand & then trying to pick tank back up to put it on stand again

 

[Durbkat]

I know this isn't as heavy but me and a friend moved my 10g from where it was next to the couch all the way across the room and next to the door and all the water we removed was half of it and we were able to do it. But he said his 29g was really hard to get into his basement and it was completly empty. So it would be better if you could get 2 really, really strong men to move it for you.

 

[morgan]

Thanks. My husband and son (adult) will be doing the lifting! Luckily it hasn't got to go far. It is going to weigh quite a bit because of the gravel and however much water is left in there.I might scoop some gravel out as well because I am going to put some in the new tank to help with the cycling.Have asked my husband when we can order new tank and he says "no hurry is there?" Yes there is actually! Can't say too much, he's paying.

 

[Mor61e]

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[trace1]

tell him the sooner the better so you can start cycling it. my 55 gal is xmas pressie of my hubby but its already sat in lounge half way through a cycle