Moving a 75G Planted Tank

fishdoc

Hello. I need to temporarily move my 75 gal planted Discus tank so the oak hardwood floor can be sanded and re-finished. I figure I will drain the water and move the fish and plants into a temp set-up, but I am hoping I can leave the substrate (6" of gravel, 4" mixed with laterlite) in the tank relatively undisturbed while I move the tank. I would plan to leave the tank on the stand and move the whole thing into a room on the same level of the house that is carpeted and won't be refinished, then move back after the floors are done. I know it will be heavy, but does anyone have any experience doing something similar? My main concern is will the glass crack moving the tank even if I leave it on the stand?
Thanks

eileen

I would think that the gravel would be very heavy and that you will have to remove some to move the tank. Maybe put it in buckets to make it lighter. I have a 55 gal. tank and it has about 30lbs of sand in it. The only way I could move it is get the sand out in buckets. Homedepot has nice 5 gal. buckets really cheap.

Byron

I agree with eileen. Never move a tank, particularly a larger one like a 75g, unless it is completely empty. If you leave the substrate in the tank, the weight when the tank is moved can cause the silicone seal to break at some point of stress, and the tank will leak. It is the silicone that seals the pieces of glass together than is more critical than the actual panes of glass; any movement with weight inside can cause the silicone to stretch and the seal may break.

Unrulyevil

I would leave tank on the stand than have 2 strong guys (like me) pick it up holding it by the stand and carefully and very slowly move the tank from one room to another. Take some of that gravel out.

neoc77

I would have to agree with Unruly on this, you could just leave the sand in it and Im fairly certain 2 moderately strong people could move it.

SinCrisis

sand around the tank and dont move it.. >.> jk i would move it with the stand. and get like 3 other people so 2 can ehlp cary and make sure the tank doesnt slide off