Metal storage rack project

[TheRamShack]

Finally I'm moving forward with my metal shelving rack build!
At least it is in the house now, set in its spot.

So far:

• Husky 3 tier heavy duty shelving unit, 65w 54h 24d from The Home Depot
• 3/4" plywood shelves, painted black on top and white underneath
• Aqueon tanks with glad lids- 6 10-gallon, 2 20-gallon
• Nitto Kohki Medo LA-28B linear piston air pump
• 20 threaded airline valves in 3/4" PVC pipe
• Hygger biological sponge filters
• Aqueon Pro heaters (100w and 150w)
• JW Fusion Smart Temp magnetic thermometers
• Waterproof runner mat
• Vinyl paper from Hobby Lobby in marine color for backgrounds
• 12 outlet surge protector power strip
• CaribSea Sunset Gold sand, 40 lbs dragonstone

Currently I have 5 tanks running (10g,12g,15g,24g & 37g) and my plan is to do away with them and switch over to the new tanks. I currently have 4 breeding pairs of ram cichlids, and 2 grow out tanks.

I still need to figure out LIGHTING. <not sure what to do yet..

The rack is peninsula style, so I can access it from both long sides. It is in my family/great room, right next to my computer desk where I spend much time. I can glance over and see 5 tanks easily. (The others are on the back side.) The top shelf will be a 10g fry tank, 1g fry containers, and 2 Ziss brine shrimp hatcheries. I will still have room for 2-3 more 10g tanks on the back of the bottom shelf if needed.

My goal is to consolidate tanks into one neat and uniform spot.

Hoping my vision comes together without a hitch (or at least, not many)..

photos: collage shows the current tanks spread out through great room and kitchen areas, both sides of rack, and last photo is where the rack will be located (existing tanks will be broken down eventually).

 

[BigManAquatics]

I had a rack for my bettas and being all organized like that prompted my wife to say "that looks hoarder-ish". I tend to disagree with that sentiment!

As far as lights, you may be able to get away with flourescent shop lights hung underneath the shelves for some of it.

 

[OutsideFoodBlob]

Just curious if you did any modifications on the rack itself as far as structural integrity. I’m going to have to look up the husky shelves now. Maybe not that much rack for me if they make smaller dimensions. That looks really good and I think doing peninsula works great for your space and so the tanks can be enjoyed from multiple vantage points.

 

[TheRamShack]

Just curious if you did any modifications on the rack itself as far as structural integrity. I’m going to have to look up the husky shelves now. Maybe not that much rack for me if they make smaller dimensions. That looks really good and I think doing peninsula works great for your space and so the tanks can be enjoyed from multiple vantage points.

No, I made no alterations besides adding the plywood on top of the wire shelves. This unit is rated for up to 2,500 lbs per shelf. Fingers crossed it stays structurally sound!

I had a rack for my bettas and being all organized like that prompted my wife to say "that looks hoarder-ish". I tend to disagree with that sentiment!

As far as lights, you may be able to get away with flourescent shop lights hung underneath the shelves for some of it.

I'm not sure if it's more hoarder-ish to have a variety of tanks all over, or uniform ones all in one space. For me, I'm also thinking it'll be easier to maintain them being all in one spot.

I don't think I want to go with flourescents, as I prefer LEDs. I just ordered one of these to see if I like it. It will fit across both the 2 20g's. If I like it, I can order more that can fit across the row of 3 10g's.
https://www.amazon.com/KZKR-Upgraded-Multi-Color-Freshwater-Decorations/dp/B083XDNCKF/

 

[TheRamShack]

Lids, water, sand, heaters, thermometers, and sponge filters in place.

 

[BigManAquatics]

No, I made no alterations besides adding the plywood on top of the wire shelves. This unit is rated for up to 2,500 lbs per shelf. Fingers crossed it stays structurally sound!

I'm not sure if it's more hoarder-ish to have a variety of tanks all over, or uniform ones all in one space. For me, I'm also thinking it'll be easier to maintain them being all in one spot.

I don't think I want to go with flourescents, as I prefer LEDs. I just ordered one of these to see if I like it. It will fit across both the 2 20g's. If I like it, I can order more that can fit across the row of 3 10g's.

Yeah, i prefer tanks in one space myself. My wife just likes to complain about my hobbies, whether its video games, fish, or nerdier games lol!! Only hobby she says nothing bad about is fixing things.

 

[TheRamShack]

I found a light fixture that spans the 60" length of 3 10 gallon tanks. I have to play with it... it comes with a remote and I'm hoping it has a nice cycle of light. Bought just one to see if I like it..

 

[SamMe]

It looks good from the picture. I hope it works out.

 

[TheRamShack]

Decided to go with the lights. They're 60" long, so I needed 3 to cover 3 rows of tanks.

Added some various Anubias plants from dustinsfishtanks.com. Driftwood and more plants will be added from the current tanks when I get ready to transfer the fish over.

Working my way through a fishless cycle.

One issue I am having is that the airpump is too powerful and I will need to use all 20 valves, even if they're just used as bubblers. I should have sealed the base of the valves that screw into the PVC pipes, as the air is leaking out of some, but I thought they'd be airtight. So now I will have to silicone them in place. It's doable, just would have been easier sealing them prior to installing the PVC on the rack. The hissing is so loud, it sounds like a high presssure gas leak right now!

 

[TheRamShack]

I am enjoying my tank rack. There's room for 3 more 10 gallon tanks on the bottom shelf, as well as a couple on the top shelf, if I need to expand. It is nice and convenient to have all the tanks in one spot.

 

[SparkyJones]

looks really niccce! job well done!

 

[BigManAquatics]

I rather enjoyed having all my 10gsis one spot as...wife said it looked hoarderish, though...