Moving a 225 Gallon tank

[Jfish]

Went through the exact same problem over the past couple months. It was a 200 gallon rimless tank with 19mm glass. Dead lift off the ground at least four man job, had to be at least 600 pounds. It had to be moved in through garage, down eight steps, bend around corner, down another eight steps to a sharp 90 degree bend. For the stairs we laid down blankets and slid the tank down to the landing, stood tank on end, bent around corner and then slid tank down the other stairs. For any sharp corners we had to stand the tank on end and slowly wiggle it around the corner. Believe it or not was done with 2 people except for the lift onto the stand which took six guys.

Carpet on the stairs made sliding the tank down fairly easy. We used blankets to cushion the tank for any sliding which could also be done on laminate. With lifting straps or tow straps it would have been a lot safer. Couple guys at top of stairs hold straps and slowly ease it down as one or two guys hold it from the bottom (just don't get crushed).

For any of the corners we just stood the tank on its end and wiggled it around the bend. It was actually pretty easy, although time spend on that end was minimal as im sure there was lots of pressure on the glass from its own weight.

Im sure it seems like a huge task but it helps to break it down into stages. One the first day I had friends to help load the tank and unload it in my garage. Next day I managed to get the tank into the house and beside stairs by sliding it on blankets by myself. Another day I had a friend come and help me guide it down the stairs and around the bends, and beside the stand. On the last day had five other guys come over to lift it onto its final spot. It was actually spread over a couple weeks due to everyones schedule but was just too heavy to do on one day. The grip strength and pull on your forearms from lifting the tank really burnt you out fast. Beer and pizza bribe ended up being a lot cheaper than moving company (200-300$ from garage down).

[waynemah]

I'm feeling much better about the tank at this point, the straps and blanket seem like a really good idea. Anyone have experience with the suction cups?

Apparently I don't know what a sharp corner is. I measured about 6 ft from the last stair to the hallway, 43" is the width of the hallway. The tank would slide down each step, be stood on end and wiggled into the hallway where we could re-gain control and move it freely.

Now I just need to find a good stand builder or modify the old stand to fit.

Thanks for everyone's help so far! any more suggestions are appreciated.

[lastlight]

Take a sledge to that thing and start fresh. I can't imagine the doors are going to work as well as they once did having been removed/moved a few times. Plus it weighs a literal ton I think.

[waynemah]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Take a sledge to that thing and start fresh. I can't imagine the doors are going to work as well as they once did having been removed/moved a few times. Plus it weighs a literal ton I think.

I'm sure it would take more than a sledge hammer to tear this thing apart... It's a beast.

[ALang]

Well, those tanks aren't NEVER gonna make it back up those stairs!!LOL>
Hope you're there for the long throw.

Good luck!