Moving A Tank

AshleyGracie

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I currently have a 55gal tank and am upgrading to a 125gal tank. My problem is how to move the new tank. Its a private sale and I have to pick up the tank myself. Its about 400 km away, about 4.5 hour drive. Its currently very cold where I live. I have a week to get ready to pick the tank up. I have a truck with a 6 foot bed. Any advice?
 
At least four strong people with no history of back backs, ask to see the tank full of water before agreeing to take away.
 
LOL, I'd hope they didn't leave the tank full expecting you to take it away like that :p
 
Go to a fish shop that has a marine section and ask them for empty salt buckets. If they don't have any right away they will soon enough. They are very nice spacious buckets with lids, good for keeping fish in.
 
To move the tank go and see your local gym and look for someone (friend, or friend of a friend) who will help you move the tank, and maybe buy them dinner when the deed is done.
 
Buy or rent those suction pads used to move glass, something like these
Suction%20Pad.jpg

 
They are a BIG help as they make gripping the tank a lot easier than holding onto the glass.
 
Get enough blankets and towels to wrap up nicely the buckets, and maybe buy some of those heating sachets that are used to ship fish and tape one or two to the side of the bucket before wrapping it.
 
Get a few bin bags, or better, garden waste bags (they're stronger) to collect all the bits and bobs securely
 
Get enough rope to tie down everything securely so it doesn't move while traveling and start thinking of a way to carry the lights securely (can't help you there not knowing what the lights are like).
 
If you have enough buckets/water containers take with you as much water from the aquarium as possible and arrange the empty containers (as in those with water but without fish) outside those with fish. It will make a little bit of difference as heat will dissipate from the external ones before the internal ones.
 
Can't think of anything else right now...
 
We are taking the tank empty, no fish included, just the tank and stand. I'll try to find some of those suction things, they look useful! My biggest concern is the tank cracking during the drive. Any tips to prevent this from happening?
 
I wouldn't worry too much. During my last move I carried a 150 gallon tank in a van for two days and a half until I found a way of unloading it and it was simply put on the van loading space and tied down.
 
The van DID have a flat wooden floor though, so if yours isn't flat or smooth you might want to take care of that.
 
Would it be better to put the tank on a sheet of ply wood or styrofoam?
 
I'm probably stating the obvious here but make sure that the tank isn't going to slide around during your journey and that there's nothing (like the stand) that could fall on it or slide into it. Tie it down, wedge it in place, whatever is easiest. I made this mistake with my first tank and it slid across the back seat of my car cracking the end panel (luckily I was only using it to keep a mouse in and nothing aquatic!)
 

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