jeremoose Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) So we've decided to start a rack. We purchased a 4'Lx2'Wx6'H rack with a capacity of 4500 pounds from Home Depot. Top shelf will be 10 gallons, middle shelf will be 20's, and the bottom will be a 30g and a 15g. All the 10 gallons will be filtered via sponge filters and Aqueon Quitflow 10's. The 20 gallons will be a mixture of sponge filters and HOBs as well. The 30g at the bottom as well as the 15g are undecided. The tanks will hopefully be a shrimp breeding as well as a crayfish breeding operation. Additionally I'll have a couple fry tanks setup for my Jewels and also for the BN pleco breeding operation. All the tanks will be planted (some only lightly) and the 10 gallons have light provided by a 4 bulb 216w T5HO light fixture. The other tanks will be similarily done for lighting but I haven't decided what brand or exactly how I'll set it up yet. Updates to come. Edited March 2, 2013 by jeremoose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Saved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Saved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigs Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 sweet, same unit I am looking at gettting. Just how solid is it once loaded up? Nice & sturdy or a bit shaky? thanks, Antonio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 It doesn't feel shaky at all to be honest, of course the 10g shelf will be the lightest one but its currently solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I had that same shelving unit - actually 3 of them. It held 3 10g per shelf, or a full 33 or a full 25 and a 10.... I think you guys will be fine with whatever you put on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigs Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Sweet thanks Jason It's officially rated for like 800lbs per shelf but...like to be safe rather than sorry Antonio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I also replaced the pressboard shelves with 3/4" plywood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Yeah thanks indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I also replaced the pressboard shelves with 3/4" plywood. Yeah I'm thinking about doing this, the press-board seems pretty sturdy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigs Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 or if you can afford the space usage, just put 3/4 or 1/2 ply ontop the press board? Cheers, Antonio Valid point though hmmmmm so many choices lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 I also replaced the pressboard shelves with 3/4" plywood. Yeah I'm thinking about doing this, the press-board seems pretty sturdy though. It is... until it gets wet. Don't ask me how I know :cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigs Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) I also replaced the pressboard shelves with 3/4" plywood. Yeah I'm thinking about doing this, the press-board seems pretty sturdy though. It is... until it gets wet. Don't ask me how I know :cry: ack yeah was thinking that was what you meant Think I'll get some ply and put a sheet of that on top the pressboard, give me a bigger safety margin. and since I'm feeling lazy, I'll get them to cut it too hehehe I also plan on mounting a lighting fixture on the underside, so that would already compromise the pressboard a bit. Antonio Edited March 2, 2013 by Tigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayba Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) I second Jason's recommendation of replacing the pressboard. I have the same rack and I guess I spilled some water. The board started to sag and the sagging caused the tanks sitting on the shelf to twist slightly. This twisting caused a tank to spring a minor leak. The board got wet, sagged, broke a seal on another tank. No major leak but seeing 4 tanks sitting on a wet very sagging shelf was scarey to say the least. Another hour or two the whole shelf would have come down and taken the tanks below it out. Like a big domino setup. You have nice flooring, I would think you'd like to keep it that way. Lol. Edited March 2, 2013 by Jayba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigs Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Hmm I wonder, does the pressboard come painted or just bare? Perhaps applying a sealant would do the trick regarding the water issue. Antonio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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