Moving Tank

[Angry_Platy]

In a few weeks time we will be getting a new lounge requiring my 75gal to be moved up to 2 meters in a straight line (thats nearly 7ft for you non-metric people)....

Now I know how much it weighs...DAMN HEAVY!!! And I figures the only way I' be able to move it is to remove as much of the water as possible as well as rocks etc. I would prefer to leave the gravel in there if possible.

SO....how much water do I need to leave for the fish to be comfortable?....it will only be for the duration it takes to shift the tank....

Ay hints on moving the tank?? Any help at all???

If worse comes to worse I can temporarily relocate the fish to the 10gal tank....which I would prefer to do (see sig for fish in 75gal)...

Any help wpuld be appreciated!!!

 

[bunjiweb]

Is the stand on wheels or will it need to be lifted to be moved?

If you are having to lift the tank you want to take as much stuff out as possible as it will be damned heavy! Also do you know how thick the glass on the base of your tank is as this will be vital in knowing how much you can realistically leave in the tank.

Ben

 

[MAM]

do you have a spare tank you could put the fish in for the time youre moving it? the more water you can get out, the easier. when i moved moved mine, i left just enough water to keep the gravel submerged. when i move the 20 in a few weeks, i was planning to just move the fish to a spare tank, for the short time it will take to move it across the room.........

 

[CathyG]

I would be surprised if you could do it, to be honest...

I would take the fish out, since the less you have sloshing around the tank the better. Also remove all ornaments, rocks etc. The tank, the substrate, and enough water to cover the substrate will be heavy enough...not only to lift, but also considering the strain you will be putting on the tank itself (you wouldn't want to stress the joints)

Good luck!

 

[Teelie]

I moved a 30 gallon and a 10 gallon this past weekend from one end of the house to the other. I used a 18 gallon plastic tub to move half the water and then moved the 30 on a cart. Even half empty I needed help moving it and even then we barely were able to move it.

My advice is drain as much water as you can into containers no larger than 10 gallons. Any larger and it's possible the weight will hurt you to move it any distance (I was able to move so much only with the help of a dolly) and take your time. The fish, depending on what they are, should be okay in plastic bags or bowls while you move the tank itself with as little water as possible. Just keep enough to leave the substrate moist.

 

[rvm]

It also depends on the floor it is on. I have my 140g on a laminate floor, and I can move it when it has about 6" of water in it simply by dragging it on the floor. doubt I'd be able to if it was on carpet though!!

 

[Josie]

In a few weeks time we will be getting a new lounge requiring my 75gal to be moved up to 2 meters in a straight line (thats nearly 7ft for you non-metric people)....

Now I know how much it weighs...DAMN HEAVY!!! And I figures the only way I' be able to move it is to remove as much of the water as possible as well as rocks etc. I would prefer to leave the gravel in there if possible.

SO....how much water do I need to leave for the fish to be comfortable?....it will only be for the duration it takes to shift the tank....

Ay hints on moving the tank?? Any help at all???

If worse comes to worse I can temporarily relocate the fish to the 10gal tank....which I would prefer to do (see sig for fish in 75gal)...

Any help wpuld be appreciated!!!

Hi,im also in a bad situation through my own fault.I placed my tank too close to window its a rio 400.Ii have to move it has it gets too much sun.I wish there was some machine that would lift the tank & stand.

 

[xJake]

I wouldn't risk trying to move such a large tank with anything in it. The substrate alone has a good chance to put enough stress on one of the tank joints to cause a leak or crack and cause you even more problems. When I moved my tank I used a rather large (don't know the exact size) shallow clear plastic storage bin, filled it with some tank water and kept the filter and airstone running with the fish in it while I moved the tank and got it set back up.

 

[Josie]

I wouldn't risk trying to move such a large tank with anything in it. The substrate alone has a good chance to put enough stress on one of the tank joints to cause a leak or crack and cause you even more problems. When I moved my tank I used a rather large (don't know the exact size) shallow clear plastic storage bin, filled it with some tank water and kept the filter and airstone running with the fish in it while I moved the tank and got it set back up.

Hi,thank you for answering my question.Sorry i have had to add this to yours.I have no idea how to mail direct,with luck I hope to get use to it.I will take your advice,my fish are precious to me.I have had some of them for 8 year & im still afraid incase I stress or hurt them.I am hoping to move tank about 4 foot a long the wall.I will have to pluck up courage & do it.my filter has a air pump inside it.Infact with juwel the filter box is compact everything slots inside so you have give me a great idea.The big challenge is catching the fish.When I find my way round I will put photo on line.Once again thank you. Josie

 

[Tolak]

I would empty it totally, you are most of the way there when you have only an inch of water & gravel. Tanks are designed to be structurally stable in a stationary position, moving with even gravel in them puts stress on the seams & such. These things have a way of going out at the most inconvenient times, 75 gallons is a lot of water.

I just picked up a 72 gallon freebie, with a cracked center brace that was caused by being moved with gravel, an inch or two of water, and fish. The guy that gave it to me had the shop machinist weld up a stainless steel support to go over the brace. It was in the shop, we drained it into the parking lot last weekend. 72 gallons of water pumped out created a small creek that went 75 feet across the parking lot, and another 30 feet towards the curb. I sure wouldn't want that much water on the floor of my house.

 

[woogrl]

Empting the tank of all its contents would be the better choice, the substrate alone probably weighs 75-80 lbs. Thats alot of stress on the botton joints and seals. I would get several large rubermaid type tubs to keep alot of the current water and fish in, and another to keep the gravel and enough water to keep it submerged. Using air pumps with the fish should be enough to keep they happy and healthy until you can get it moved to where you need it. Good luck to you but dont get in too much of a hurry when moving it so you dont stress out and break something

 

[Josie]

Empting the tank of all its contents would be the better choice, the substrate alone probably weighs 75-80 lbs. Thats alot of stress on the botton joints and seals. I would get several large rubermaid type tubs to keep alot of the current water and fish in, and another to keep the gravel and enough water to keep it submerged. Using air pumps with the fish should be enough to keep they happy and healthy until you can get it moved to where you need it. Good luck to you but dont get in too much of a hurry when moving it so you dont stress out and break something

Hi,thanks to everyones advice.I can not make my mind up on what to do.Im terrified of re-moving my fish from the tank.I wonder if I bought something to put round the tank near window to block of the light& sun
would that work. Going