Moving and manipulating large and heavy tanks

[Charney]

I have two roughly 1,200-gallon fiberglass aquariums with glass viewing windows arriving soon. The tanks will come in five panels that need to be bolted together on the bottom and all sides. I'll be assembling them in place in my basement. Each tank measures 12 ft x 4.5 ft x 4.5 ft and weighs around 1,600 lbs.

The fish room is 34 ft x 14 ft with ceilings between 7 and 7.5 ft. I'm seeking suggestions on the best way to lift the bottom panel while installing the sides and how to move the tank into position.

Thanks for any input!

 

[tlindsey]

I have two roughly 1,200-gallon fiberglass aquariums with glass viewing windows arriving soon. The tanks will come in five panels that need to be bolted together on the bottom and all sides. I'll be assembling them in place in my basement. Each tank measures 12 ft x 4.5 ft x 4.5 ft and weighs around 1,600 lbs.

The fish room is 34 ft x 14 ft with ceilings between 7 and 7.5 ft. I'm seeking suggestions on the best way to lift the bottom panel while installing the sides and how to move the tank into position.

Thanks for any input!

jjohnwm
wednesday13

 

[jjohnwm]

Hey tlindsey , thanks for the vote of confidence...but this is way out of my wheel house.

 

[wednesday13]

Hey tlindsey , thanks for the vote of confidence...but this is way out of my wheel house.

Agreed… done some hairy chit in my 20’s like sending 450’s down stairs by myself … pushing 40 now and id opt for floor jacks, blocks and possibly even a winch mounted up on one of ur basement support beams. Rolling tanks around on pvc pipe does wonders also. Ur def. Gonna need some moving dollies and jacks… no way around that. Sheer man power works also if u have enough friends.

 

[Charney]

Agreed… done some hairy chit in my 20’s like sending 450’s down stairs by myself … pushing 40 now and id opt for floor jacks, blocks and possibly even a winch mounted up on one of ur basement support beams. Rolling tanks around on pvc pipe does wonders also. Ur def. Gonna need some moving dollies and jacks… no way around that. Sheer man power works also if u have enough friends.

Thank you. What are blocks?