Here's one for the DIY guru - Want to remove stand from tank

[jrodrig692]

Have a 120 gallon Reef tank. Tank has been established 2 1/2 years, so I really don't want to break it down. Plain and simple the stand sucks, so here is my task. Remove the current stand and replace with a new one. Can it be done?

 

[SPC]

I would try just about anything, but would NOT attempt this.
Steve

 

[Green Mariner]

In a word NO If you try to move a full tank there is a damn good chance that you will stress the silicon joints to the point of failure!

HTH

 

[Coraltank]

jrodrig692,This is not like one of those replace the loadbearing wall while the house is still standing projects.The others are right.Don't even think about it.

 

[danmhippo]

Have you ever thought about doing a facelift for your stand? Like the kitchen cabinet facelift project that you replace the doors, repaint the walls, etc... You can even nail-in a couple more support column for added security.

I have only once tried to replace a support column from my stand. Even though the column is at the center-front, It is still scary as I remove the column, I can see the table top warp a bit. Imagin that when you try to replace the whole stand!

They are right.....Don't even think about it.

 

[cindywennin]

This comes along the lines of when my dishwasher had a leak. We had to have the vinyl replaced. The tank was in the dining room and the vinyl in the kitchen and dining room was all the same.
My insurance company wanted to get someone in here to lift the tank and put it on rollers(it was a 50g) so the floor guys could replace all of the vinyl. When I asked them if they were up to replacing a house full of carpet and if they would pay to replace all the inhabitants (I gave them a dollar figure

I had invested in animals)I had in the tank after the seems unzipped on the tank they decided to go ahead and pay the extra $250 to have the tank torn down and guaranteed nothing would be lost. Good investment!

Go with the facelift option if you can.

 

[Bobzarry]

Sounds like a magic trick......maybe David Copperfield could do it

 

[monkeyboy]

Now which would you prefer:

1. Breaking down your tank, swapping the stand.
2. Picking up your corals off the carpet between the shards of glass, and swapping the stand.

Hmmm.....

 

[swreefer]

It can be done.

Let me know when the sale on corals is going to be.

 

[davelin315]

I have been thinking about the same thing for a while, and have come to the conclusion that there is only 1 way to do it without moving everything. And it would take a long time.

What I was thinking was drain all of the water out into storage containers and have the new stand all set up and ready to go. By the way, you'll need at least 4 people to do this. Slide the entire old stand away from the wall (if it's up against one, that is). Next, put the new stand where the old one was. Next, have everyone lift the old stand onto a premade platform that will be at the same level as the new stand (I was thinking of a taller stand). Then, when they're even, slide the tank onto the new stand. If you try and lift the tank off of the old stand, you will probably crack it as the weight will no longer be distributed evenly. Also, keep in mind that your tank weighs a ton, the rock and substrate weigh a ton, and it's all WET!

Of course, if you have a reef ready tank, this won't work, and if you are planning on using your old equipment and can't get it out of your old stand until you move it and can't get it into your new stand with the tank on top, then forget it.

Let me know if it works (notice I don't want to be the one to try it!).

On second thought, just buy a new tank and stand. It'll be a lot easier. Then all you'll have to do is slide the damn thing over when it's empty. But then again, you're breaking down your tank.....

 

[jrodrig692]

I'm asking this question for a friend. Trust me its a friend, not me. I figured that the bottom would blow out before the other seals, but you know how it goes, everyone wants about 10 opinions, hoping someone says yes. So the verdict is no. Thanks.

 

[mgamelin]

I would suggest breaking down the rock work, making it as low in the tank as possible. Then drain as much water as you can into some large containers(cooler..ect). This way you would only have about 1/3 the water volume in the tank making it easier to lift. Make the new stand the same hight as the old one and simply slide the tank over.

But this is only a thought, I wouldn't try it if it were my tank but go ahead i'm sure it would work

marc

[ August 09, 2001: Message edited by: mgamelin ]