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12/16/2009, 11:36 AM | #1 |
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a miracle delivery... need advice
well, after weeks of deciding what to get my lovely wife for this xmas... i placed a call to miracles, got talking to dereck s. and he assured me if i placed my order the tank will be on the truck the following monday + 2 day shipping, therefore the tank will be here on xmas eve! dereck was very helpful in providing me with details i needed, and very responsive to my emails, with his help the sketch was complete and forwarded.
got talking more to dereck and he mentions about off loading the tank + crate (~400lbs), so here is my problem, how the heck do i do that? i think serveral poeple here on URS has order tanks from miracle before, if you can give me some advice it would be much appreciated. I am looking for advice on how to off load the crate, what tools I need, should i put together some tank stand with wheels, do i need those suction cups things? I am also looking for people willing to help on xmas eve, as of now i dont know the delivery time on that day, got to beleive it some time in the morning, as it become closer I will have a better idea. I have some beginner frags I can give or cash. If you commit to helping out, I appreicated if you dont back out on the day. I live in brewerton, a few miles north of syracuse. Thanks, -Lang |
12/16/2009, 12:41 PM | #2 |
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a engine hoist might be an option? what are the dimensions on the tank?
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I'd rather burp and taste it than fart and waste it! Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon, 150 Gallon |
12/16/2009, 12:50 PM | #3 |
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I would guess lots of manpower would be the easiest!
I hope they stick to their delivery schedule... mine was at least a month late, but they never gave me a solid ship date like they gave you.
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12/16/2009, 01:42 PM | #4 |
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Will the truck have a lift gate to get the crate to ground level or will the crate have to be picked off the truck? What are the dims of the tank and tank weight alone? If there is no lift gate and the trucker is patient (or tipped $$) you can uncrate the tank in the truck and lighten it up. 400# is pushing it for just 2 strong guys, but 4 guys fumbling with a tank is just as dangerous, so you may want to look at borrowing, or making some furniture mover dollies. if you work with suction cups make sure they are good ones (rental from a glass shop??) because the harbor freight ones will just pop off at times and that spells catastrophe. Make sure you have a drill and bits along with hammer and prybar ready to un crate the beast as well. Best of luck and so long as you take your time, you'll be fine however you move it.
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12/16/2009, 02:19 PM | #5 |
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engine hoist?
3 strong guys and one wimpy one should be able to move a #400 aquarium.
Talk to Dereck and get specifics of the delivery truck (liftgate etc.) like Walter mentioned. Are they using Cavalier? Give the driver incentive (ie: cash) and I'm sure he'll help. I've been to Brewerton and it's far away from where I'll be on Christmas eve (or any other day of the year!) or I'd consider helping. Are you sure they're delivering on Christmas Eve? It sounds like a hokey delivery date.
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over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems *see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB* GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors |
12/16/2009, 02:23 PM | #6 |
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Lang, I feel your pain. Ain't easy getting people over to lift 300+# tanks...even if you trick them! I'd love to help you out but my schedule isn't as lax as it used to be. On top of that I'm working Xmas eve anyway. Keep me posted on whats going on with it. I'll help if I can dude.
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People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2 |
12/16/2009, 02:33 PM | #7 |
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if it moves to a different day I might be able to help but xmas eve is out of the question.
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Insert witty phrase, followed by explosive laughter Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef, two 175-watt MH, two vho actinic |
12/16/2009, 02:50 PM | #8 |
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I would consider hiring professionals to assist you. Either movers or perhaps glass shop workers used to working with glass. It's a good time of the year for guys to have the incentive to make a few extra bucks. Make a few phone calls once you have a better idea of time of day for the delivery.
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12/16/2009, 02:59 PM | #9 |
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Too far for us to come out, but congratz on the new tank setup!
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12/16/2009, 08:45 PM | #10 | |||||||||
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--I talked to dereck agian today, he assures me the tank will be ready by monday for shipping. they had already cut and polished the glass, and will assembly the tank tomorrow. Seem like everything is moving forward real quick... he sounds like a straight forward guy, at themoment i have no reason not to believe him. Quote:
--the tank is 3x3x2, which wont fit thru my door, sigh... another issue.. guess i have to invert it. Quote:
--thank you all for the advice, --lang |
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12/16/2009, 09:09 PM | #11 |
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If the tank is only 250, I'd consider just using two strong guys. Four people trying to move a tank gets very stressful, too many feet!
In terms of not having a lift gate, if you have a friend with a pickup truck, back it up to the semi, uncrate the tank, load it into the small truck, and then back that up to your door. We do it all the time with pallets of lumber. A few bucks to the driver will get you patience, and most likely even help. Good luck!
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"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." Current Tank Info: 180 and 75 Gallon reefs, both built in, and a very tolerant Wife! |
12/16/2009, 09:11 PM | #12 |
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Let Derek know your situation and ask him for his advice... +1 to just needing a few strong hands. Though as you see it's not going to be easy to ask people to commit on Christmas Eve. Either way, that's one helluva present. Congrats!
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"...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau |
12/16/2009, 09:26 PM | #13 |
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It will probably end up costing you about a case of beer and maybe some wings or a pizza.
Call a few buddies! |
12/17/2009, 05:03 AM | #14 | |
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12/17/2009, 05:43 AM | #15 |
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A 250g Miracles tank is going to weigh a good amount. Two guys could probably do it, but not for too long of a distance I would bet. Good luck sol.
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12/17/2009, 06:42 AM | #16 |
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Do you know anyone with a dock at work or a shop with a fork lift?
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Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. Mohandas Gandhi Current Tank Info: 90RR with custom stand, canopy and cabnet. More to be added |
12/17/2009, 06:54 AM | #17 | |
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-J- Current Tank Info: 80g shallow mixed reef |
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12/17/2009, 07:07 AM | #18 | |||
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--dereck said i wont know about shipping till monday, --i think now i have a much better idea, knowing the 120gal long weight will bring me closer to a possible solution. thanks all! |
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12/17/2009, 07:07 AM | #19 |
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If you're moving it to the back of an suv just leave it there for a few days till you can get help. Or you could just back up quick and slam on the brakes.
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12/17/2009, 09:44 AM | #20 |
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ummmmm, back up and slam on brakes? oh, that's excellent advice. I'll bring my baseball mitt.....too funny.
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12/17/2009, 10:13 AM | #21 | |
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125 gallon is ~236# |
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12/17/2009, 10:29 AM | #22 | |
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12/17/2009, 10:54 AM | #23 |
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Man Lang, I feel for you. Keep me posted. Primarily because I want to see the tank.
What are you doing for a stand and canopy??
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People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2 |
12/17/2009, 11:41 AM | #24 | ||
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12/17/2009, 11:43 AM | #25 |
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Good luck with the move! I know how stressful it is planning for a tank delivery. When I received my tank from Miracles, I was fortunate I had access to a loading dock at my father-in-laws work. We loaded it onto a 4x8 trailer and took it home. It my house, I had prebuild a cart, and it just so happened to work out that the height of the cart was only an inch lower than the bottom of the tank when it was uncrated. I used those cheapo suction cup holders from Harbor freight, and with 8 guys, we slid it off the trailer onto my cart. I calculated the tank to weigh ~740lbs. That seemed high to me, but with your tank dimensions and excluding any eurobracing, I get ~215lbs for your tank using the same formula...so it must be right.
My crate had a zillion screws in it, so bring a couple of drills and extra bits. Bring a couple of square bits too. At least with my crate, they secured the bottom plywood to 4x4's with 4" long screws that required the square bits. Good luck! |
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