Lifting Large Tanks

[sbash]

I just got my shiny new 220 Gallon delivered today (72x24x30 5/8" glass). The manufacturer (Miracles, in Ontario Canada) said I could move it with two people, but four would be better.

I arranged for three people (myself included), we could not safely pick up the tank.

Called in two more guys, we lifted the tank, but were not comfortable moving with it.

Seriously now, how does everyone get their large tanks into the house? More guys and some dollys, piano movers, what am I missing here?

Thanks!

[Psirex]

I got my 96x24x32 in with a hand dolly and 6 guys........

[Psirex]

You can also use furniture dollies

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Lots of suction cups!

[sbash]

Originally Posted by foxvalleypcgeek

Lots of suction cups!

Oh goodness, how many people did you need?

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Originally Posted by sbash

Oh goodness, how many people did you need?

I think there were 8 of us.

[Finland]

Suction cups and furniture dolly for my 72X36X25, plus 6 guys

[South City]

Suction cups make all the difference in the world when you are trying to move a large tank. Two guys with suction cups were easily able to move my 180 gallon tank.

[karimwassef]

Rent a hydraulic or manual gear lift if it'll fit through your door - just remember to counterbalance.



Also- 8 guys with suction cups.

If all else fails, call a moving company and tell them you want to move a glass tank 20 feet and 3 feet up, they'll probably rip you off and charge $400 but they'll do it.

Here's the after picture



If I could go back, I'd probably rent an electric forklift.

[dave.m]

An auto mechanic's car engine hoist is another possibility.

Dave.M

[flanole]

Suction cup handles make a world of difference. Look at glass installers and how much they are able to move and lift into place with minimal labor.

[7thdarkangel]

Just a friend and myself move my 180 around no problems. Haven't had to use any suction handles or anything yet.

[alin2]

I had to call a moving company to move my tank. I looked around for moving companies that specialized in moving art or antiques. It turns out one of the aquarium maintenance companies locally had worked with a mover and gave me a good reference. This company had moved multiple huge tanks including needing a crane to lift tanks into condo's in the city.

They moved my 62x39x24 glass tank with 4 people, dollies, and many straps through the front door and down a winding (but really wide) staircase to the basement.

Although they were expensive (3 hour minimum!) they were very professional, experienced, and more importantly, insured!

I would consider calling around to some local aquarium maintenance or installers for references.

https://instagram.com/p/8V3o7cyiU-/?...by=wetworknola

[sbash]

Thanks everyone for the responses! This is great information

Does anyone know where I can get adequate suction cups in Canada? The ones at The Home Depot are only 4" and designed for tile...

[karimwassef]

Amazon?

Search "glass vaccum cup"

[sbash]

Originally Posted by karimwassef

Amazon?

Yeah, if I have to order them online I will, however I am hoping for a place I can just pick them up. I would like this $2000 piece of glass out of my driveway :P

There are a couple local glass shops I will try...

[alin2]

You definitely want the high weight limit suction cups, not some cheap ones.

I'm pretty sure you can also rent them...

[sfsuphysics]

Furniture moving straps come to mind too.

Although 2 people lifting that tank as a recommendation? Maybe if the 2 were relatively good health/strong people. My father and I moved a 72"x24"x18" tank from one room to the other and that was a step by step shuffle maneuver.

While glass tanks are heavy, the biggest issue is that you can not really get much of a grip on them, you're lucky to have your finger tips under the tank but there's not much strength there except your ability to keep your fingers from collapsing, which is where furnature straps come into play. You just gotta make sure you use them correctly otherwise you could seriously cut off circulation in your arms

[nuxx]

Call movers

The suction cups should really help.

We moved our 150 gallon (1/2") A.G.E. frag tank with 4-5 people, but had to flip it to get it in the door... almost lost it there!

[Socaltoaz]

I hired a rigging company to move my 800 gallon acrylic tank and stand. 1300 bucks but well worth it. They were very professional. They used a fork lift and hydraulic lifts to put it in place.

[karimwassef]

$1300??

How much was the tank?

I guess I'm cheap- I'd only pay +10% of the tank price to have it moved.

[sbash]

Hiring movers is my last resort. I cannot find any suction cups in the city which are rated over 100 lbs...

However, I have four other guys, I found three dollies (one heavy duty, two furniture dollies). I have lots of straps and tie downs, a couple furniture moving straps. Hopefully, we can roll it most of the way.

Thanks for the support folks, this information will hopefully be helpful to others as well... I will post up how it goes!

[Synodontis]

Best investment we made for lifting a big tank was hydraulic lift tables. Each one has a SWL of 350KG so always a safety margin. Used dolly's to position the tank then lifted with the tables. 12'x4'x30" onto a meter high stand in about 20 mins.

[deleau]

I rented suction cups from a local place and made sure to get the higher quality ones.

With those myself and one other guy (although there were 4 more standing around "supervising") were able to get it off the truck, onto a scissor lift table (like Synodontis showed), wheeled to the door of the office, then the two of us got it inside and on the stand.

It was not very difficult. The poor LFS owner had "squeaky bum syndrome" the whole time. (Tank was ordered through Planet via her...both her and Jeremy at Planet were amazing.)

[karimwassef]

what is squeeky burn?