Can you lift a 55 gallon tank with water and sand in it off the ground

[gixxer1000]

Is it posible. My freind has the tank and just got his lights. He is going to build his stand. His stand will be done it about a month cause of college and study. So he wants to get the water in there now so he can that in about a month the cylce will be dont instead of waitng 2 months. I told him worst comes to worst just can a rubber trash can syphon most of the water out not all and just me and him can lift it on the stand does this sound ok. I know water is 8#s per gallon. Plus about 40 pounds of sand that is about 480. I figure we syphon about half it out we can lift it no problem were young 20 year old men

 

[gixxer1000]

Yea i was thinkin maybe we can syphon the water down to about 1 inch of water to keep the sand moist. THen we could just put it back. He is only wants a little sand anyway like 1-2 inches. It will be a reef but it dosent want a DSB. I dont think that a 55 gallon weighs 150lbs no way. I have a 60 gallon hex that i can pick and move myself. Im tall but skinny and i can pick up the tank and handle it. I say a 55 gallon weighs 50-60lbs.

 

[808smokey]

GSXR 1000
R-1's are better

 

[gixxer1000]

DId you still have the sand in there thats prob why wet sand. The 55 you will def need 2 people thought. Beause the length of the tank the way the weight is spread out. My 60 hex you can wrap your arms around but i still have to hype myself up to move it. But that was with no sand.

 

[robchuck]

For what it's worth, an empty AGA 55 gallon tank weighs 75 lbs. Factor in the sand, and it still wouldn't be too heavy for a few lifters, BUT I would be VERY CAUTIOUS and lift the tank without any water in it. Glass aquariums are not designed to hold the forces of sloshing water, and you would be risking a tank blowout. Carry a 10 gallon around with only an inch or two of water in it, and you'll see what I mean.
I would follow the suggestions given about moving the water into a few holding containers while the tank is moved. Once you get a syphon started, the whole process shouldn't take more than 2 hours or so.
Also,allowing the sand to be exposed to the air for a few hours wouldn't hurt anything. Besides, there will be enough moisture left in the sand to keep the critters alive.

 

[broomer5]

If it were me ... I would wait a month, position the tank where I want it in the room on the new stand, and set it up then.
1 month will fly by and he will have reduced the risk of the tank cracking.
Gaining 1 month on a new tank cycling is not worth messing around with moving a tank full of wet sand. I would ask your friend "what's your hurry?"

 

[daniel411]

Originally posted by 808smokey
GSXR 1000
R-1's are better
Agreed!
The silicone seals could leak, they're designed for little pressure, just to hold water in. As soon as one of you doesn't have your end level with the other, which is very likely to happen. The water, will shift and suddenly place a good amount of weight on the other/seals/glass. Usually not good!
Its best to avoid if you can.

 

[nm reef]

A 55 could be carefully moved with wet sand and very little water...but there is a serious potential for stress fractures. I'd either be extremely careful about moving it or do as suggested...wait until the stand is ready.
For what its worth I just moved a 3 yr old 55 display about 15'-20' with the help of my nephew...all it had was a 6" sand bed and a bit of water. But we hand our hands full with the weight and were very carefull to go slow and avoid any un-due stress.:thinking:

 

[petem]

No way would I move at tank that big with water and everything else in it. Even if the tank didnt crack, your back might!

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by gixxer1000
Is it posible. My freind has the tank and just got his lights. He is going to build his stand. His stand will be done it about a month cause of college and study. So he wants to get the water in there now so he can that in about a month the cylce will be dont instead of waitng 2 months. I told him worst comes to worst just can a rubber trash can syphon most of the water out not all and just me and him can lift it on the stand does this sound ok. I know water is 8#s per gallon. Plus about 40 pounds of sand that is about 480. I figure we syphon about half it out we can lift it no problem were young 20 year old men
water weighs ~8 1/2+ pounds per gallon. 55g tank with water is over 400 pounds. Any sand and rock adds to that weight.
If you friend can lift 500-600 pounds then yes. otherwise no.