cainechow Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 So there was this idea in the MaxBear shrimp group order thread that one of my tanks was floating because of the lighting in this picture. That got me thinking that a whole wall of "floating" 10g shrimp tanks would be pretty awesome. So I'm looking for input on building a steel or aluminum framed shelf, maybe square tubes?, that can be bolted to two studs in a wall, yet have a minimal wall footprint. So my requirements are as follows: Must support 50 kgs minimum. A full 10 galon tank probably weighs just about 40kgs with substrate so we over build a bit is good. Must have a minimal profile so that it is easier to hide. To hide the frame I'll silicone up a custom tank that may or may not be super clever but for a 10g with 6mm glass I don't think it'll be an issue. So is anyone here a welder or have access to one for consultation on the steel shelf frame or a mechanical engineer or just very clever ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geleen Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 (edited) I have put 5 gallon on just a store bought shelf with steel brackets from the hardware store. I have a 4 foot shelf with a hydroponics planter on the same... 3 brackets.... Edited May 3, 2013 by geleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted May 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 (edited) I'm envisioning something like http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S19929645/. The ikea stuffs are only rated for 40 lbs. I'd like it to be living room presentable. Edited May 3, 2013 by cainechow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted May 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 I just found this... http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=69087&cat=3,43648,43651 . It says two brackets will support 25kg each. A pair would do a 5 gallon nicely.... now to design the tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damtrees Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 If you didn’t want a bracket id make a L shape wood one 1 inch hard wood glued and screwed should be strong enough and the back of the tank will hide the wood part you screw to the wall and all you would see from the front would be the tank sitting on a inch of plywood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudiohv Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I built my 100Gallon tank out of U Strut. Very tough material, its use is to hang pipe (EMT pipe) off sealings or walls (it can be use to hang anything you want pretty much) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Can you post a picture of your setup with the u strut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Is it this? http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=cat_detail&S=S05&P=P2944 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayba Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Yes that's it, . welders don't like to weld it because it's galvanized, but B-Line makes accessories so you can also bolt it together. Can be picked up at an electrical wholesaler. I would think someone on here has some scrap strut laying around to help you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudiohv Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 That so true, that's the one, the cons Jayba mention 1 and the other one its bulky, has to be welded. Heavy & doesn't look very nice Pros it could be corrosion resistant + super heavy duty material, can be bolted together if use the right kind. Once set up, not going to go anywhere, unless you disassemble it. On the side, they also use this material to hang hot water tanks off the ceiling, in some offices. the hot water tanks that I saw was massive (I'm guessing no more than 100 gallon tanks) as well the strut was hung with metal anchors to the concrete ceiling Price at greaybar is: $2.00-$2.50 a foot Ps: ill post a pic as soon as I get home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurensdad Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 Yes that's it, . welders don't like to weld it because it's galvanized, but B-Line makes accessories so you can also bolt it together. Can be picked up at an electrical wholesaler. I would think someone on here has some scrap strut laying around to help you out. I weld the stuff all the time.it is not that bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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