moving a big tank... suggestions?

guserto4 · 03/18/2013, 06:38 AM

I purchased a used acrylic tank from a LFS and in the next two weeks (likely this coming Saturday) need to orchistrate it's removal. I would like to accomplish this feat with help from only one buddy. What is the best way to move a tank using mechanical/technological advantage rather than (several people's) brut strength?

I'm thinking some sort of small forklift or portable material lift- something I can rent for the day for $50-100. Max lift of ~4' off the ground (if the tank remains horizontal) from the stand to the Uhaul and then to the garage.

Tank is 360G 9.5' x 4' x 16" T and is ~400 lbs.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

worm5406 · 03/18/2013, 07:14 AM

If you know someone with a boom truck (cherry picker/telephone truck) you could attach it to the bottom and lift it.

Some appliance dollies would work nice. or even brute trashcan rollie things work good too.

spieszak · 03/18/2013, 07:30 AM

It may be easier to rent labor than equipment. Don't know where you are, but my local home depot tends to have day laborers at the ready.

guserto4 · 03/18/2013, 07:45 AM

I'm in the Chicago suburbs (though I moved from San Diego and if there I probably would have gone to Home Depot). I don't know anyone with a boom truck, so hence the equipment rental. I remember seeing a YouTube video once where the tank was just driven into the guys house on some motorized controllable cart... THAT would be cool but probably more $$ then it's worth. My friend thought of an engine lift. Any other suggestions?!

guserto4 · 03/18/2013, 07:47 AM

I should mention I'm building a wood moving frame for this thing so the edges don't get damaged and to help transit by creating the opportunity for point load lifting (eye hooks).

worm5406 · 03/18/2013, 07:55 AM

Hummm... Go by funeral home and get a casket dolly.

Explain what you are doing and they wil prob let you rent it for like 50-100... IDK about where you are but people are only dieing to get in to see the funeral home. so there is not much repeat business. Some around me are not really packing them in there, so some money is better than none.

ALSO.. a ambulance stretcher will work.

I am a FireFighter/EMT and I did not think about the stretcher until AFTER I had already moved mine in to the house and downstairs.

CHSUB · 03/18/2013, 03:33 PM

get more buddies!!!!

2012-02-18 17.06.32.jpg

chriscobb · 03/18/2013, 06:36 PM

Agree....3 more buddies....400lbs....

guserto4 · 03/23/2013, 05:51 AM

Day of the move... And I ended up with more buddies to help- ended up easier that way.

worm5406 · 03/23/2013, 05:59 PM

Good...

Did you live?

guserto4 · 03/24/2013, 05:42 AM

That tank was a hell of a lot lighter than we thought- 400lbs max. 3 of us lifted it OUT of the uhaul no problem. It was fun at the LFS though! We started with 5 (+2 staff) and as we began to lift it up and OVER 3 rows of livestock tanks (and our heads) there was a swarm of additional help including the two owners... Got it out and to the garage no problem!

petere1989 · 03/26/2013, 06:54 PM

pictures?

guserto4 · 03/28/2013, 08:01 AM

Tried to post via my iPhone yesterday but the pictures are upside down... Meant to post last night but forgot. Will post some pics and a video of it in its resting place in the garage tonight!

guserto4 · 03/28/2013, 04:51 PM

Here it is at the LFS
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51549

And here it is at its resting place for a while... just need to purchase a property and start building my house...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51550

Maybe I should make a pre-build thread to start bouncing ideas, but I figure people are going to get ****ed that this will take years to see complete. Hmmm.

guserto4 · 03/28/2013, 04:56 PM

and now the dumb question: how the heck do I embed photos or videos directly into the thread? Jeez I've been trolling this site for practically a year and I don't know these things...

nanoohio · 03/28/2013, 05:03 PM

Sign up to an image hosting site. I use photobucket. It's free an simple. There u will have desperate codes to choose from after u upload it. Use the HTML code. Hope that helps

guserto4 · 03/28/2013, 05:08 PM

at the LFS
[IMG]

[/IMG]

guserto4 · 03/28/2013, 05:23 PM

and at its resting place for a while...
[IMG]

[/IMG]

guserto4 · 03/28/2013, 06:42 PM

hey Nanoohio thanks for teachin!

guserto4 · 03/31/2013, 07:28 AM

Ok, next level of dumb question- how do I place a youtube video inside of a post/thread rather than just a link? All this lurking on RC has not promoted my comprehension of contributing...
Thanks!

worm5406 · 03/31/2013, 09:40 PM

At the bottom it says SHARE...

Inside that it says embed.

Copy it all and paste it... then click preview post.

03/18/2013, 06:38 AM	#1
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	moving a big tank... suggestions? I purchased a used acrylic tank from a LFS and in the next two weeks (likely this coming Saturday) need to orchistrate it's removal. I would like to accomplish this feat with help from only one buddy. What is the best way to move a tank using mechanical/technological advantage rather than (several people's) brut strength? I'm thinking some sort of small forklift or portable material lift- something I can rent for the day for $50-100. Max lift of ~4' off the ground (if the tank remains horizontal) from the stand to the Uhaul and then to the garage. Tank is 360G 9.5' x 4' x 16" T and is ~400 lbs. Suggestions? Thanks!

03/18/2013, 07:14 AM	#2
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	If you know someone with a boom truck (cherry picker/telephone truck) you could attach it to the bottom and lift it. Some appliance dollies would work nice. or even brute trashcan rollie things work good too. __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

03/18/2013, 07:30 AM	#3
spieszak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,877	It may be easier to rent labor than equipment. Don't know where you are, but my local home depot tends to have day laborers at the ready. __________________ I'm new to this saltwater thing, all comments should be taken with a BUCKET of salt! :-) -Stacey

03/18/2013, 07:55 AM	#6
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	Hummm... Go by funeral home and get a casket dolly. Explain what you are doing and they wil prob let you rent it for like 50-100... IDK about where you are but people are only dieing to get in to see the funeral home. so there is not much repeat business. Some around me are not really packing them in there, so some money is better than none. ALSO.. a ambulance stretcher will work. I am a FireFighter/EMT and I did not think about the stretcher until AFTER I had already moved mine in to the house and downstairs. __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

03/18/2013, 03:33 PM	#7
CHSUB "Certified Hobby Expert" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 2,038	get more buddies!!!! 2012-02-18 17.06.32.jpg __________________ Goniopora Police _________________ building a 60"x36"x30" peninsula reef...follow at "NEW TANK BUILD" on reef discussion forum! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2110638

03/18/2013, 07:45 AM	#4
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	I'm in the Chicago suburbs (though I moved from San Diego and if there I probably would have gone to Home Depot). I don't know anyone with a boom truck, so hence the equipment rental. I remember seeing a YouTube video once where the tank was just driven into the guys house on some motorized controllable cart... THAT would be cool but probably more $$ then it's worth. My friend thought of an engine lift. Any other suggestions?!

03/18/2013, 07:47 AM	#5
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	I should mention I'm building a wood moving frame for this thing so the edges don't get damaged and to help transit by creating the opportunity for point load lifting (eye hooks).

03/18/2013, 06:36 PM	#8
chriscobb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,228	Agree....3 more buddies....400lbs....

03/23/2013, 05:51 AM	#9
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	Day of the move... And I ended up with more buddies to help- ended up easier that way.

03/23/2013, 05:59 PM	#10
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	Good... Did you live? __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

03/24/2013, 05:42 AM	#11
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	That tank was a hell of a lot lighter than we thought- 400lbs max. 3 of us lifted it OUT of the uhaul no problem. It was fun at the LFS though! We started with 5 (+2 staff) and as we began to lift it up and OVER 3 rows of livestock tanks (and our heads) there was a swarm of additional help including the two owners... Got it out and to the garage no problem!

03/26/2013, 06:54 PM	#12
petere1989 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 949	pictures?

03/28/2013, 08:01 AM	#13
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	Tried to post via my iPhone yesterday but the pictures are upside down... Meant to post last night but forgot. Will post some pics and a video of it in its resting place in the garage tonight! __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

03/28/2013, 04:51 PM	#14
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	Here it is at the LFS http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51549 And here it is at its resting place for a while... just need to purchase a property and start building my house... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51550 Maybe I should make a pre-build thread to start bouncing ideas, but I figure people are going to get ****ed that this will take years to see complete. Hmmm. __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

03/28/2013, 04:56 PM	#15
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	and now the dumb question: how the heck do I embed photos or videos directly into the thread? Jeez I've been trolling this site for practically a year and I don't know these things... __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

03/28/2013, 05:03 PM	#16
nanoohio Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: ohio Posts: 170	Sign up to an image hosting site. I use photobucket. It's free an simple. There u will have desperate codes to choose from after u upload it. Use the HTML code. Hope that helps __________________ Happy wife- happy life. :) Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef peninsula, mp40's, aquatic life 12 bulb fixture, reef octopus xs skimmer.

03/28/2013, 05:08 PM	#17
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	at the LFS [IMG][/IMG] __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag Last edited by guserto4; 03/28/2013 at 05:23 PM. Reason: trying to learn to post a picture

03/28/2013, 05:23 PM	#18
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	and at its resting place for a while... [IMG][/IMG] __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

03/28/2013, 06:42 PM	#19
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	hey Nanoohio thanks for teachin! __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

03/31/2013, 07:28 AM	#20
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	Ok, next level of dumb question- how do I place a youtube video inside of a post/thread rather than just a link? All this lurking on RC has not promoted my comprehension of contributing... Thanks! __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

03/31/2013, 09:40 PM	#21
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	At the bottom it says SHARE... Inside that it says embed. Copy it all and paste it... then click preview post. __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex