Sorry for the wait I've just been a bit lazy
A few steps were skipped so allow me to explain. I've got doors on either side because it's a room divider style tank and I felt like having access on both sides. I also painted it a clay-like color so that it not only matched the color of the floor boards that I used but also gives the idea that the aquarium is sitting on top earth so to speak.
Here the gurney handles are extended
the gurney is flipped over to reveal the handle extension mechanism
I was running out of time so a clever idea was needed to complete the locking mechanism for the handles. Screws were used to prevent them from going too far out or in. In the position seen below the pole is locked into place. To retract the handles simply twist them until the front screw hits the base and then push it through the gap between the brace and the base. Only the front screw can fit through this gap, the others stick out too far to fit
