Moving a large tank

[dprill]

I just purchased a 240 gallon Glasscages aquarium from a reefer here on the boards, and I am trying to get it moved from Manhattan to out here in the Hamptons where I live. I got a quote from my moving company, which was reasonable, and a quote from Manhattan Aquariums, which was just out of this world silly.

So I contracted with the moving company, making sure they understood that this was HEAVY, and that they needed to bring extra people and equipment like suction cups, etc to move this. Well they showed up today, of course with only 2 guys, because, and I quote the supervisor I was on the phone with today "we can move anything with 2 guys".. well guess not!

I have them rescheduled for next week, bringing more people and hopefully the right equipment, but I can say my confidence is shaken..

Anyone moved a large aquarium like this before, and if so who did you use? Were they reasonable? I think once the Manhattan Aquariums guy heard I was in the Hamptons he jacked up the price.. the problem is I don't live in THOSE Hamptons LOL!

I know some people will say rent a van and get some friends, but this is 100 mile move, in the city, with an very heavy tank that I have no experience with. I am a bit uncomfortable with that personally..

Thanks for any advice!

Darin

 

[INNEED]

240 n 2 guys couldnt do it?????? huh????? 240 is a piece of cake grab from the bottom 1 guy on each end n go...... done it before simple

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

240 n 2 guys couldnt do it?????? huh????? 240 is a piece of cake grab from the bottom 1 guy on each end n go...... done it before simple

I guess they havent been eating there viggies lately lol

 

[stbarnabas]

i also bpught tank from glass cages its a 300 gallon and it took 8 guys to bring it in inside the house ... so 2 guys showed up hah!!!!!!! good thin you reschedule it .... good luck .......

 

[jrobbins]

what kind of insurance do the movers have? most of the movers have coverage for a couple cents a pound. so if they bust your 1000 dollar tank moving it you are going to get around 50 bucks, an apology, and the bill for the move.

 

[isgon26]

4 guys should do it. Depending on how hard it is to get inside and out of the houses. I moved my 280 in my cargo van with 4 guys no problem. Use a dolly... the only lifting should be off and on to the stand....

 

[James404]

I hired 4 guys to move my 225, took 6 of us to lift it onto the stand though.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'd say 4 strong guys should be able to handle this fairly easily. You'll need 2 dollies.

THe one thing to remember is to drink beer AFTER and NOT before the move

 

[mqur1963]

yes imoved 240 gal 4 guys

 

[Jzhou]

2 guys, suction cups, and a skateboard, Thats what we used the last time we had to move a tank over 220.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Pretty sure Glasscages uses thicker glass for their builds and they can get pretty heavy. Size wise it's not that big of a deal and a few guys should be able to move it no problem without any special equipment other than a few glass suction cups. We've moved much larger tanks than that but things can happen during a move and not knowing what you're doing can cause problems when you are dealing with larger tanks. Hope it turns out OK I'd be nervous too after telling them it was heavy and they just ignored you.

 

[dprill]

what kind of insurance do the movers have? most of the movers have coverage for a couple cents a pound. so if they bust your 1000 dollar tank moving it you are going to get around 50 bucks, an apology, and the bill for the move.

I made sure to take out supplemental insurance for the tank... as you said their usual coverage sucks..

 

[dprill]

Pretty sure Glasscages uses thicker glass for their builds and they can get pretty heavy. Size wise it's not that big of a deal and a few guys should be able to move it no problem without any special equipment other than a few glass suction cups. We've moved much larger tanks than that but things can happen during a move and not knowing what you're doing can cause problems when you are dealing with larger tanks. Hope it turns out OK I'd be nervous too after telling them it was heavy and they just ignored you.

Yeah I think this is definitely heavier then what a typical tank would be. It is also Starphire on 3 sides, not sure if that adds weight or not, but the glass is definitely thicker then normal..

Thanks for the good wishes

 

[rkaragozler]

it took 6 guys to move a 450. tank weigh over 800 lbs

 

[bigsink]

My 325g tank took 6 LIRA members with heavy duty suction cups. The cheapest quote I got from a moving company was $2500 and I only needed it moved from my garage into the house. Hope all goes well.

 

[dprill]

My 325g tank took 6 LIRA members with heavy duty suction cups. The cheapest quote I got from a moving company was $2500 and I only needed it moved from my garage into the house. Hope all goes well.

Yeah that is what Manhattan Aquarium quoted me. I took it that they really just didn't want to do the work.

I guess I have to hope for the best....

 

[jerl77]

good luck i work for beer goood beer not coors light

 

[jerl77]

fire up the grill too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!