Moving partially filled tank?

[Dumbo123]

I have a 7 gallon rimless cube I want to move. Its planted and has a bit of substrate and decor in it. Can I just drain the tank partially and move it that way? Will this damage the structural integrity of the tank?

 

[PeterBugni]

Sorry no It could destroy the tanks structural integrity I tried once but the tank broke. Luckily I had not added fish into it yet.

 

[GouramiGirl100]

I have done it before with a ten gallon but it is a risk as stated above

 

[Dumbo123]

I have done it before with a ten gallon but it is a risk as stated above

okay i may just take the risk I just need to move it like 2 feet away. Theres still like 30-40 pounds of substrate in it once I drain all the water

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Drain it all the way, then move it. Water is quite heavy and it moves when you move. I've moved plenty of tanks with the substrate in (heavier decor is easy to remove) just fine. Just get that water down to gravel level

 

[jaysurf7]

I moved a 60 gallon 80% drained to another room when i had to get a new carpet very carefully from the metal stands i also took out some gravel to lessen the load it was fine, but you do have to be careful anytime you move a tank like that it could twist the sides. A 7 gallon being moved a few feet away should be ok just move it very slowly from the base. You could take out some substrate to lessen the load also.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

okay i may just take the risk I just need to move it like 2 feet away. Theres still like 30-40 pounds of substrate in it once I drain all the water

Er, 30-40 lbs in a 7 gallon? Was that supposed to be 70 gallons?

 

[Dumbo123]

Er, 30-40 lbs in a 7 gallon? Was that supposed to be 70 gallons?

whoops I think it was more like 10-20 pounds

 

[BlueRaccoon]

I've done it, but it's probably not the best idea. I've never had issues, but I'm sure it could be a disaster.

 

[mulletmcnasty]

I've done it with a 15 gallon. Moved house 500 metres away. Drained it dry as possible, put fish in an Esky and re added them. Not the ideal way, but 3 years later it's not leaking.

 

[MasterPython]

Water sloshing in a tank can make it very hard to carry.

 

[KingOscar]

I've moved many tanks by removing most of the water and any large decor and leaving the gravel. Lift and carry carefully, keeping it level to avoid twisting. I have even put them into vehicles this way and drove them to another location. Never had a problem.