Moving Tank With Soil?

SnoopySnake · 08-18-14, 01:01 PM

Hi guys!

So, I need to rearrange my room to make space for some new things, and I've been trying to avoid it but it seems like I might have to move my 55 gallon enclosure onto a different stand to preserve space.

It's filled with about 1 1/2" of clay pebbles and 3-5" of soil. It sits on top of a piece of plywood on a desk. I'm trying to move it to a dresser.

So the question is, is it possible to move just the tank onto the dresser, or will the weight of the soil break the glass on the bottom? Would it be better to move it with the piece of plywood underneath, or am I going to just have to take everything out in order to move it?

Thanks for any help anyone can give me

FWK · 08-18-14, 01:26 PM

As long as you have at least two people to support all four corners evenly you should be fine. That glass can handle an incredible amount of weight (many hundreds if not thousands of pounds) as long as it isn't twisted or subjected to an impact such as a rock falling over.

Pirarucu · 08-18-14, 01:33 PM

With most fish tanks, the glass on the bottom is not reliant on the surface below it for support, and doesn't even touch whatever the tank is resting on. If the weight was going to break the tank, it would have done so already. The bigger issue I think you will discover is whether your arms can support the weight of the tank...

SnoopySnake · 08-18-14, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

With most fish tanks, the glass on the bottom is not reliant on the surface below it for support, and doesn't even touch whatever the tank is resting on. If the weight was going to break the tank, it would have done so already. The bigger issue I think you will discover is whether your arms can support the weight of the tank...

Yeah, I thought about that too, its not touching, even without the rubber feet it still wouldn't be touching. I still worried about it breaking for some reason, though.

I've read that when moving tanks that aren't completely empty that the seal can break too, so I guess I was concerned about that as well.

I wouldn't be the one moving it, my dad and my brother were going to but if they couldn't do it we would probably try to have two more people help. Do you guys think it would at least be easier to move the tank with the plywood underneath?

IW17 · 08-18-14, 02:38 PM

The reason the seal can break is when you carry it whether you know it or not you can subject the tank to twisting and other movements that the tank wasn't designed to handle with weight in it. It can be done, I do it all the time. Just take your time, and make sure to keep it slow and steady.