Moving my tank

[mbsqw1d]

So, I'm a plonker, no news there. My Roma 240 (63 gallon) is positioned in front of the house's electrical fuse board. An electrician is due to do a safety test and needs good access. The tank os going to have to be moved...

Any advice is welcome. Will I have to drain completely and remove fish and some substrate?
Is there a danger of causing stress on the tank if I don't? Say, only do 80% drain.

 

[Naughts]

Oh no!

Yes you will have to move the fish to keep them safe. I used a clean large wheeled bin with half the tank water, the filter and heater and some floating plants. That way I knew they'd be safe if the move took a long time. There was a big gap to the top so the fish couldn't jump.

I have moved small tanks with substrate in and a bit of water but would not risk it on a medium / large tank.
To reduce stress on the tank, place it on a wheeled unit to move it.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

This is going to be a big task...

My advice is to remove the fish and hardscape, and drain at least 70% of the water. In my experience, it’s really not necessary to drain 100% of the water.

You will definitely need another persons help to move this, so let’s hope you have friendly neighbors.

 

[NannaLou]

@mbsqw1d - Have you got somewhere else that it will fit or will this be a regular occurrence?
How would you have coped if there was an emergency with the electrics..? Its just one worry after another this fishkeeping lark ?

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

What a pain! Try removing around 70% like Pheonix said, and pray that your neigbours are friendly and willing to help out.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Not got any help unfortunately.. drained to 80% ish and managed to slowly drag it out ?

Theres a space on the other side of the room but whether I can drag it all the way.. dunno.. might have to be a job for another day when I have another pair of hands spare.

Top tip: if you get some aluminium foil (stuff you use with food) and slide it under the cabinet, if helps it (slightly) to slide on carpet!

 

[mbsqw1d]

@mbsqw1d - Have you got somewhere else that it will fit or will this be a regular occurrence?
How would you have coped if there was an emergency with the electrics..? Its just one worry after another this fishkeeping lark ?

Yes, this is a concern. I do want to move it further, I'll have to see how I get on. Might wolf down a bowl of Weetabix whilst the electrician cracks on!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Not got any help unfortunately.. drained to 80% ish and managed to slowly drag it out ?

Theres a space on the other side of the room but whether I can drag it all the way.. dunno.. might have to be a job for another day when I have another pair of hands spare.

Top tip: if you get some aluminium foil (stuff you use with food) and slide it under the cabinet, if helps it (slightly) to slide on carpet!

View attachment 133899

Yeesh! Good work, bet that was heavy. ?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Yeesh! Good work, bet that was heavy. ?

Sure was lol One of those thankless tasks lol

thanks for everyone's advice

 

[dutto73]

When you finely do move it to the other end of the room, you could always try putting a big sheet tarpaulin under the cabinet then slowly dragging it with a mate(s) stabilising the load. I done it with a smaller tank but your is twice the size

 

[mbsqw1d]

All done. I think I'll be feeling it tomorrow lol

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Not got any help unfortunately.. drained to 80% ish and managed to slowly drag it out ?

Theres a space on the other side of the room but whether I can drag it all the way.. dunno.. might have to be a job for another day when I have another pair of hands spare.

Top tip: if you get some aluminium foil (stuff you use with food) and slide it under the cabinet, if helps it (slightly) to slide on carpet!

View attachment 133899

Fantastic, good job!

All done. I think I'll be feeling it tomorrow lol
View attachment 133936

You definitely deserve a rest after all that.

 

[ClownLurch]

I’m been rewiring, decorating, new hardwood flooring the whole house during covid. I’ve been using my fish towels (two beach towels) to drag furniture around on.

 

[NannaLou]

@mbsqw1d - saves a trip to the gym ?
The tank looks lovely ? I don’t think I’ll have my one 25ltr tank will be enough for long...

 

[mbsqw1d]

@mbsqw1d - saves a trip to the gym ?
The tank looks lovely ? I don’t think I’ll have my one 25ltr tank will be enough for long...

If you spend long enough on here, you'll catch MTS (multiple tank syndrome), guaranteed