Tank Rack Question...

[Katalyst]

So I'm finally being banished to the basement...Well my corys, shrimp and snails are anyway... I'm going to start my own little fish room :) At the moment I have 4 48 gallons that I'm planning on using in addition to some 30's & 20's. Origionally I had planned on just making/setting up individual stands for them...My boyfriend wants to build 2 tank racks stacking one 48 above the other. I'm worried this will be way too much weight (400 poundish) and that the tank will collapse onto the other. He says I'm a worry wort which I am but I still want to know what you guys think. How much space should I leave between them? Building material ideas welcome!

Thanks!

[madattiver]

I would say that u can get away with as little as 6" above the tank. but more is usually better to work with. also, with a tank of that size, I would reccomend you use more then just 2x4's for framing the stand as that is alot of weight.. what are the dimensions of the tank?

[Katalyst]

I would say that u can get away with as little as 6" above the tank. but more is usually better to work with. also, with a tank of that size, I would reccomend you use more then just 2x4's for framing the stand as that is alot of weight.. what are the dimensions of the tank?

I was thinking about going with metal framing....Thanks for the reply as soon as I can figure out where the heck the tape measure is I'll post the dimensions.

Note to self: get own tape measure...:confused:

[Melody]

Dollar Store - I have a pink one. :laugh: And that's about all that I can contribute to this conversation too.

[blainep]

Metal will work well if you have someone who can weld it all together for you.
I've done my tank racks with wood. I tend to over build my racks but, so far, not even a little sag.
My first rack carries about 1000 pounds per shelf, second one holds about 800 lbs.

The only place I didn't depend on the wood alone was in joining the shelves to the legs, there I used 5/16ths inch bolts to carry the load of the shelves.

Either will work, you just need to put a little planning into it.

[Katalyst]

Metal will work well if you have someone who can weld it all together for you.
I've done my tank racks with wood. I tend to over build my racks but, so far, not even a little sag.
My first rack carries about 1000 pounds per shelf, second one holds about 800 lbs.

The only place I didn't depend on the wood alone was in joining the shelves to the legs, there I used 5/16ths inch bolts to carry the load of the shelves.

Either will work, you just need to put a little planning into it.

Wow 1000 pounds per shelf? Plywood? Thanks!!!

[blainep]

Wow 1000 pounds per shelf? Plywood? Thanks!!!

More than just plywood, 2 - 4 inch by 6 inch beams, 6 - 2 inch by 6 inch by 24 inches cross pieces topped by a 2 foot wide by 8 feet long piece of plywood.

This is a picture I took of one of the shelves while building the rack. It doesn't really show the framing under the plywood, but it's all I've got right now.
http://www.calgarycommodore.com/tanks/7.JPG

This is a picture of the rack assembled.
http://www.calgarycommodore.com/tanks/9.JPG

Assembled with tanks and plumbing and lights etc. installed.
http://www.calgarycommodore.com/tanks/11.JPG

This rack is pretty big, I don't think I'll build another one this large again. But hopefully it gives you some ideas.

[Katalyst]

Thanks! It gives me a lot of ideas...I'm thinking about making 2 racks each for the 48's and then creating other types of racks for the smaller tanks...Thanks for the photo's! Your fish must be in heaven!

[canuck_trooper]

So I'm finally being banished to the basement...

Thanks!

You need to be banished to the basement missy. Any more tanks and I'm going to start charging admission at the door! And what's this about pictures of fish accosting my nose? Hmm?

PS
Those 4 48 gallons that she is talking about. We're supposed to be mine! Not filled with smelly snails!

Hmmm guess you have all figured out that I am Katalyst's other half...Even now she's blabbing in the background on what part of the forum I should be in.

[canuck_trooper]

Dollar Store - I have a pink one. :laugh: And that's about all that I can contribute to this conversation too.

Katapest or Katalyst as she is known here is now leaning over my shoulder asking me to ask you where you obtained your 'pink one' from. Pink tapemeasures? Gads.

[Melody]

<Clearing throat & sporting bestest angelic smile> Ms. Katalyst never flirts, always say's her hubby-2-B is the most amazing man she's ever met and she LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVES his Mother. She goes on and on and ON about how understanding her hubby-2-B is and how he's surely going to understand when she brings that 240G tank home that she has stashed at the neighbours. Why? Because he's the best, that's why.

:Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel:

[Melody]

Katapest or Katalyst as she is known here is now leaning over my shoulder asking me to ask you where you obtained your 'pink one' from. Pink tapemeasures? Gads.


I already said where I got it - the classy dollar store around the corner. :;):

What are you doing shopping across the border anyway? Aren't local women good enough for you? Hmmm? :POed:

That reminds me of the american man I met on an american fish forum, who told me that Canada has better beer and hotter women :laugh: . I'm sure that had nothing to do with the fact that he was talking to a Canadian either.:rolleyes:

[canuck_trooper]

<Clearing throat & sporting bestest angelic smile> Ms. Katalyst never flirts, always say's her hubby-2-B is the most amazing man she's ever met and she LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVES his Mother. She goes on and on and ON about how understanding her hubby-2-B is and how he's surely going to understand when she brings that 240G tank home that she has stashed at the neighbours. Why? Because he's the best, that's why.


:Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel: :Angel:



Hmmm I don't think she's a big flirt, not too worried about that anyways. But the Loves my mother thing? Good one! You're the one sending bucket loads of snails to my house aren't you? Understanding me? She's breathing isn't she? :twitcy: And somehow managed to get me spend another 60 bucks on 'FISH STUFF' that she absolutely cannot live without today. Gads...

[Melody]

Hmmm I don't think she's a big flirt, not too worried about that anyways. But the Loves my mother thing? Good one! You're the one sending bucket loads of snails to my house aren't you? Understanding me? She's breathing isn't she? :twitcy: And somehow managed to get me spend another 60 bucks on 'FISH STUFF' that she absolutely cannot live without today. Gads...

Snails? Me? <insert deer in the headlights look, aka blind bambies>

[Katalyst]

Snails? Me? <insert deer in the headlights look, aka blind bambies>

Melody HATES snails! Its Peggy who you want! Erm yeah.:laugh: :twitcy: ROFL Peggy please forgive me if you see this...

[Katalyst]

I already said where I got it - the classy dollar store around the corner. :;):

What are you doing shopping across the border anyway? Aren't local women good enough for you? Hmmm? :POed:

That reminds me of the american man I met on an american fish forum, who told me that Canada has better beer and hotter women :laugh: . I'm sure that had nothing to do with the fact that he was talking to a Canadian either.:rolleyes:
Hey hey hey! I'm the only one that can put up with his crap! Or at least this is what I'm told!

[Melody]

LOL Well that's the top criteria when searching for one's significant other - smart guy!

As for the better beer and hotter women, he probably had a macro to insert the appropriate country no matter who he was talking to, from here to London. The Internet is full of them!:rolleyes:

[Katalyst]

LOL Well that's the top criteria when searching for one's significant other - smart guy!

As for the better beer and hotter women, he probably had a macro to insert the appropriate country no matter who he was talking to, from here to London. The Internet is full of them!:rolleyes:
:laugh: