Moving a 20L upstairs..?

597 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Sucram Nosiren, Dec 25, 2016

maxhrbal

Discussion Starter · Dec 24, 2016

Opinions/ experiences with moving tanks? I've been setting up a 20 long in my parents home out of state. And under the circumstances I have put it in the basement to help with the cycle. I'm here again for Christmas and I'm hoping to get it up and running.

Time to move it upstairs, I really want to keep the sand in the tank and I see a lot of people don't even recommend that. Maybe I can use a board or something and carry from underneath. (Yes I know to remove the water, if that wasn't clear enough. Why would I talk about removing sand if I wasn't planning to remove water? Hehe). I also understand the worries, obviously the glass probably won't break, I know you can "weaken" the seams and what not. I'm more or less assessing the risk and seeing if others think it's a good idea, or not.

Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

Econde

· #2 · Dec 24, 2016

The only way I can think of is removing all or most of the water. Then have someone help you lift it upstairs.

Save

John Wong

· #3 · Dec 24, 2016

Yup, just drain all water and move upstairs. I know you don't want to disturb the substrate but you will more or less disturb it. However the damage is reversible. I have done so many time, my friend who sell ready made aquascape also done that.

Sent from my MX4 using Tapatalk

Save

maxhrbal

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 24, 2016

Yeah I know to drain the water. That's borderline stupid.

Just looking for reassurances regarding the sand. Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Save

livingf1t

· #5 · Dec 24, 2016

I wouldn't pick it up at all with any weight inside the tank, not only the obvious reason of the bottom glass breaking but what I think is even more important is the stress on all the silicone seals, that might not leak now but after a while can be devastating if you wake up to and empty tank and a flooded floor! I do however think that putting it on a thick piece of plywood is a great idea! All the weight would be on that instead of the seams. I drained my 75 completely and left all the substrate and hardscape in my tank, and left it on the stand and moved it about 20 feet and I didn't trust it, broke the whole thing down and started brand new with a new tank, I didn't want to chance it at all.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Save

Reactions: 1

John Wong

· #6 · Dec 24, 2016

maxhrbal said:
Yeah I know to drain the water. That's borderline stupid. Just looking for reassurances regarding the sand. Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Actually according to my experience, substrate like aquasoil or equivalent are easier to be disturbed compare with sand. Sand are denser. After moving your aquarium, you will need a small hose to clean your sand.

Sent from my MX4 using Tapatalk

Save

maxhrbal

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 24, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

I'm not worried about disturbing the sand. This tank won't have fish for a while and I believe I'll maintain some good stuff in there, making it recycle at a faster rate.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

John Wong said:
Yup, just drain all water and move upstairs. I know you don't want to disturb the substrate but you will more or less disturb it. However the damage is reversible. I have done so many time, my friend who sell ready made aquascape also done that.

Sent from my MX4 using Tapatalk

Are you suggesting here, that I might be ok leaving the sand in the tank?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

See less See more

Save

John Wong

· #8 · Dec 24, 2016

maxhrbal said:
Are you suggesting here, that I might be ok leaving the sand in the tank?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Definitely , aquarium bottom can withstand at least the weight of full tank water. Given that the glass thickness is same as side panel. The side panel constantly experience force equivalent to weight of full tank water, so it's safe to assume the bottom can do the same.

Sent from my MX4 using Tapatalk

Save

maxhrbal

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 24, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

Well the tank is now drained...sort of...I forgot my syphon at home

. I think I'll definitely be removing at least some of the sand.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did the deed. I didn't remove much sand and I'm confident that I didn't weaken the integrity of the tank. I'll have to move the tank again in about a year when the parents move, as well as my own tanks, also in a year or so.

Still curious to hear of others' experiences, and opinions.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

Sucram Nosiren

· #10 · Dec 25, 2016

i sold my 55 about 5 years ago .. left about 20% of the water all the fish and all the gravel in.. took 3 of us to load it into the truck .. somehow it made the trip safely and he was able to get it into his house amd filled up without problems ... it should be doable jist be very very very careful

Sent from my SM-J700P using Tapatalk

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month