Tank Shelves...

[Rbacchiega]

So I want to start building the shelves for the sump closet. It measures 28.5" wide. (Tiny, I know) I want shelves that are 28.5" wide by 2 feet front to back. Would building a frame out of 1x2s spaced 6 inches apart hold acrylic tanks that are 24Lx24Wx18H???

I posted this on RC but nobody has answered. Want to get started on this ASAP, so the quicker the help the better.

Thanks in advance guys?

[Jack]

The bottom of acrylic tanks needs to be fully supported. ie, plywood underneath.

[Mrfish55]

I would rip 1" ply 3" wide and build a frame out of it with at least one (preferably 2) cross supports and a 1" solid ply top with rigid foam on that, probably a little overkill but you want a well supported flat platform for acrylic tanks (looking at over 400lbs each full of water) I prefer the use of ply myself as it is more dimensionally stable (less apt to warp) than conventional lumber. Good luck and have fun!

[Rbacchiega]

No offense Mrfish, but that confused the hell out of me. If I were to build the frame that I have mentioned and put 3/4" plywood over top would that work? Maybe even add some foam?

[Snaz]

So I want to start building the shelves for the sump closet. It measures 28.5" wide. (Tiny, I know) I want shelves that are 28.5" wide by 2 feet front to back. Would building a frame out of 1x2s spaced 6 inches apart hold acrylic tanks that are 24Lx24Wx18H???

I posted this on RC but nobody has answered. Want to get started on this ASAP, so the quicker the help the better.

Thanks in advance guys?

Metric makes this alot easier, so first lets convert..

24 in = 61 cm
24 in = 61 cm
18 in = 46 cm

61 x 61 x 46 = 171166 cm*3 (centimeter cubed)

171166 cm*3 = 171166 ml

171166 ml = 171 litres
171 litres of pure water = 171 kg
171 litres of water (salinity 1.024) = 175 kg

So each tank weighs 175 kg or 385 lbs when full, acrylic is neglible.

I would say no, 1 x 2 wood is not able to support this weight, go 2 x 4.

[Rbacchiega]

My brain just exploded. But I will go with 2x4's. Thanks

[Mrfish55]

What I was getting at is instead of using 1x2 lumber (or 2x4) cut strips of 1" ply 3" wide, build a frame the dimensions of the shelf you need, then add a couple cross pieces, screw and glue everything together and then put a 1" ply top on the frame, I will go take some pics of mine, hopefully make it easier to understand.

[Mrfish55]

Something like this
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2003.jpg
If you cut the parts on a tablesaw everything will be straight and square (unlike buying a 2x4 at the lumberyard) screw and glue everything together and it will be more than strong enough. I build all my stands this way and have never had an issue.

[Rbacchiega]

I get it! But isn't that frame still built out of 2x4? Not trying to be rude...just don't want this thing to come crashing down in the middle of the night

[Mrfish55]

The support underneath is basically a 2x4 pony wall that the platform sits on, if you are putting your shelves into a closet all you would have to do is screw thru the sides of the shelf into the wall studs. You have a pic of where this installation is going?

[superduperwesman]

I think this is the spot??

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/casper_023/IMG_0115.jpg

[levi1803]

I'm an accountant and this thread still boggles my mind haha.

[Rbacchiega]

That'd be the one, but I'm taking out the existing shelves, cause they're thin and warped

[brizzo]

Something like this
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2003.jpg
If you cut the parts on a tablesaw everything will be straight and square (unlike buying a 2x4 at the lumberyard) screw and glue everything together and it will be more than strong enough. I build all my stands this way and have never had an issue.

Wow MrFish that's a great idea. Glue + pocketscrews with that design and you have a very solid true surface! I'd swear some 2x4s are so bad you could play hockey with them!

[Mrfish55]

Wow MrFish that's a great idea. Glue + pocketscrews with that design and you have a very solid true surface! I'd swear some 2x4s are so bad you could play hockey with them!

Thanks, the platform in that pic is 72x36" checked it with a laser level and it is dead flat and level, even after filling the tank (3000lbs) there is no deflection. I have seen some commercial built stands that don't look capable of holding a flower pot nevermind a large fish tank, seriously who in there right mind would use particle board around water, that stuff gets wet and litterally crumbles to bits.

[Rbacchiega]

alright, another question.

If I'm going to go all out building these shelves, should I just go with a glass tank? I'm not worried about the sump, because that'll be on the floor, so that can be glass, but what about the frag tank?

[Mrfish55]

Personally I prefer glass, for the sizes you are talking I don't think it would make that much dif, glass would probably be cheaper.

[Rbacchiega]

that's what I'm thinking...