A few questions about tank racks

[WaterPond]

Hey everyone,

I have been talking to my parents about letting me setup a tank rack. My mom said i can in november, and i have kindof been doing some planning. All taks will have air driven filters except one tank. I was wondering how i would connect air to all the tanks. Some people in my fish club have like black hose tubing atached to a large air compresser/pump. The black tubing has little brass attachments where you can attach regular sized aquarium airline tubing. Can you buy tubing with brass connectors like that or would i have to make it. If so, how would i go about that.

ALso, what is the best kindof wood to build with? The rack has to hold 5xtengallon 2x5gallon 1x50gallon. The fifty gallon will be on the lowest shelf closest to the floor, four ten gallons will be on the next shelf, a two ten gallons and 2 five gallons will be on the top shelf.

The whole thing will measure 44" wide, 74" tall, 21" deep.

Of course i am still in the planning stage so things will have a tendancy to change.

If anyone wants to share their experiences and the do's and dont of making a tank rack, please feel free :)

[blainep]

I find with the racks I've built, 2x6 lumber, plywood ( real plywood, not osb or particle board ), glued and screwed together make stands that are lots strong enough.

Take the time to paint the racks, that is one of my regrets. Paint will help to protect the wood from water and they'll look better.

Make sure your bottom tank is at least 6 inches off the floor, makes siphoning/gravel vacuuming better.

Be careful not to go to high with the rack also, makes water changes and working on the tanks a pain.

Take a little time to plan and you'll do fine.