Can I put wheels on my tank?

[A. Nonymous]

I'm seriously considering whether I can put wheels on my 75g tank (well, the stand actually) and what would be involved in that. It's a pain in the rear for me to move it by myself on the rare occassion when I have to move it. I'd like to put wheels on it that would ideally fold under the stand when I'm not using them. You would lift the tank up on one side, slide the wheels out, lock them in place and repeat the process on the other side. You'd unlock them and stow the wheels when you were done. Detachable wheels might work as well, but I'm afraid as organized as I am that I might lose them. Is there an easy way to accomplish this?

 

[dundadundun]

folding and/or removable? would be fun to lift up a 75 high enough to get the wheels back. i'm thinking no on the specific idea but yes in general on wheels. i don't necessarily agree with most people using casters for their stands either though. go figure.

 

[kj5kb]

Interesting thought...

Doable in theory.
At work, we have equipment on casters that is heavier than a full 75G.

I'd use industrial 3 or 4" locking casters, permanently attached. Skip the removable/foldable caster idea...can you lift ~700 lbs (or even half of it) ? Much easier to just unlock the casters, + permanently attached ones will likely be more sturdy.

The stand would need to be VERY hefty...reinforced so it was sturdy enough to move and wouldn't/couldn't flex. Plus that caster mounting points would need to be strong enough. I'm thinking custom 2x6 or 2x8 stand with maybe metal Unistrut reinforcing on the 4' sides.

 

[BioHazard]

I agree with kj, I don't think the folding thing will work. I would also want to do some serious reinforcing of the stand, since the wheels will be pressure points. I would talk to MsJinkzd. Her husband builds tank stands, and might have some good ideas for you.

 

[katana1200]

You could always build yourslef a set of furniture dollies. If you were to use some good strong lumber and perhaps the type of casters that they use on shopping carts you could pick up one side of the tank and kick the dolly underneath.

This is a quick example of what they look like. Can't remember what the stress rating is on shopping cart casters but they're pretty hardcore. Then you could store them in the closet and also use them for other things...I can't stand unitaskers. Although I'm gonna have to agree, even if the tank is completely empty you're talking about a pretty good amount of weight to have to lift.

 

[BadFishPa]

Definately multiple wheels to spread out the weight,locking is a must for atleast the 4 corners.Just make sure to get some heavy duty wheels..Good reinforced framing will be a must,but definately able to be done.If seeing the wheels is a problem a small skirting can be put on he bottom,material or whatever..

 

[jmhart]

Depends on the build of the stand. It'll put the full weight just on the spots where you have wheels, so you better make sure the stand can handle that.


However, as somebody else said, a furniture dolly would be a good idea.

 

[Riiz]

To add to JMhart, those wheels also put all that weight onto small patches of contact too. So you will probably noticed some nice dents in wood or plastic tiled floors after a period of time.

 

[jmhart]

To add to JMhart, those wheels also put all that weight onto small patches of contact too. So you will probably noticed some nice dents in wood or plastic tiled floors after a period of time.

Yeah, I meant to comment on that too.

 

[Chrisk-K]

The wheels of a grand piano would work.