Rack 'O tanks

I've begun transforming my laundry room in to a fish room I got an industrial rack that can hold 2000lbs per shelf. The rack was only $160, not too bad. I've only got Bettas on the rack right now, I will be putting a 29 gallon in the middle left where the plywood is.

 

Nice! It looks good. I'd suggest putting workshop lights over the tanks instead of having hoods. It's much easier to deal with that way.

 

I'll keep the hoods, I live in an extremely dry climate, the rate that my water evaporates is rather extraordinary.

 

If you experience evaporation, then glass tops are for you! Then you can still hang the light.

I was going to do the rack, when I had a lot of smaller tanks.

 

Looks like a great start.

Two suggestions,

1. I would put plywood across the entire shelf for evenly distributed support as those shelf ratings are for an evenly distributed load.
2a. I agree that the glass tops would be better in the long run, I would start looking for them as you can afford them
2b. Shop lights would def make your life easier and cheaper as well.

the second one is really a minor thing but can make your life a lot easier in the long run.

 

My basement used to be very dry. I now have about 300 gallons oin tank all with glass hoods and now I empty a dehumidfier every day. After two days I noticed my basement felt like my LFS. I bought an LG dehumidfier. Since dehumidfiers are expensive I would first give you fish room a try before buying one maybe you don't even need one.

On a side note I put in exhaust fans over my 160 and I swear it helps with the slight smell of a fish tank. I don't mind the smell but the rest of the family does.

 

Still a work in progress. I want to get a glass top for at least the 29 gallon.

 

That shelving unit looks like it will be quite handy for you!

Nice find.

 

It's been wonderful. Plus I've got a utility sink in there with my water changer on it. Fish maintenance has gotten much easier.

 

That looks amazing... I wish I had something like that. Not sure how others would appreciate that though in the house. And how easy it would be to move.

 

I use this same unit in the fishhouse.

 

I showed my wife this photo as a glimpse into the future she was surprisingly okay with it, hehe!

 

Just be sure to use higher quality plywood, not the bottom of the line stuff.
Or do as I do and place the tanks longways so that both ends rest on the metal.
Or both.

 

I've been doing that. 1/4 inch plywood under my 29 gallon and all my tanks rest on the bars that go across. I'll need to see a picture of your fish house some time

 

Last 2 are the north west corner, the easiest part to photograph.

 

coming along nicely. I def recommend getting rid of that plastic hood, that shop light is more than enough light for the tank.

 

Everything in due time. The body is willing but the wallet is not. ;D

 

I definitely need this... How big is it?

 

72" tall, I believe it is 72" long and 24 or 36" wide

 

Hmm... I do believe I have space for one... perhaps two.

Gack. Someone stop me because this MTS is spiraling out of control

 

To help kerb evaporation you could add a humidifier to the room Many Saltwater keepers use them quite successfully.

I love the rack!

 

Humidfiers are the way to go I empty mine about twice a day and it has a 5 gallon bin. Soon I will be hooking up my old sump so it does it continoulsy

 

Humidfiers are the way to go I empty mine about twice a day and it has a 5 gallon bin. Soon I will be hooking up my old sump so it does it continoulsy

I just want to clarify you are talking about a humidifier, not a de-humidifier.

Humidifiers add moisture to the air reducing evaporation, where's a de-humidifier removes moisture and would increase evaporation, hence the need to empty it

[just checking]

 

Thoughts on building something like this out of two by (insert number) lumber?

 

My rack was really cheap and very fast to put together. If you want to do wood, try something like this

 

That rack is exactly what I'm thinking, well, along the lines. Except I'm not going to cover mine up with a shell, I'm just going to slap it together and leave it as it is. I also don't want to create a central filtration system. If one tank gets sick, the others will too. I'd rather just run my tanks individually with sponge filters or HOBs.

 

Where did you get that rack or do you have a link? Thanks.

 

This is what I have https://www.whalenstorage.com/#

I bought it at Costco, don't know if they still have it.

 

Here's my rack as of today. I'm having a hard time finding storage for my fish supplies. The bottom rack used to be storage, now it's another tank ;D

 

Lol.... Is that tupperware container just your grow out container for your guppy grass? or do you have things in it?

 

The critter keeper has RCS and Najas. The sour cream container has Duckweed.

 

You need to disassemble that rack and mail it to me.

 

You need to disassemble that rack and mail it to me.

Are you taking the demanding fish with you? Gosh they are spoiled.

 

The critter keeper has RCS and Najas. The sour cream container has Duckweed.

is there a filter or are you using the guppy grass as a natural filter?

Do you need to dose the guppy grass with any fertilizer?

 

No, you can keep them.

 

I do occasionally dose with Flourish, I take it real easy so I don't hurt my shrimp. I've been using flourish with shrimp for about a year. As long as you dose lightly, I've never had a problem.

The Najas does the filtering, there's plenty of it there. I'm going to be upgrading that tank to a 10 gallon soon. I'll add a small sponge filter when I do.

Zeez, if you take the rack you have to deal with the tanks too. Those fish get angry if they aren't fed on time...

 

Just saw this thread in a reference from another...
I know it's sort of outdated, but I just need to comment on the "rack o'tanks":

1st - its the best medicine for MTS I've seen so far...
2nd - Caution: laundry may end in fish tank and fish end in washingmachine

I'm sorry for not having a laundryroom. What a lot of ...ahm, laundry (!) I could put in some shelves.

 

Last 2 are the north west corner, the easiest part to photograph.

I have now seen Santa's workshop

 

Thanks, the rack has been wonderful. I have a utility sink in the same room with a water changer. I'm super glad I have vinyl flooring in there, I've flooded that room a few times now.

The rack has made my fishkeeping much more awesome!

 

I have now seen Santa's workshop

You bet. And I wouldn't mind receiving a fish for X-mas...
This santa is more like the 'American chopper-type', not reindeers....... :;rudolph

Thanks, the rack has been wonderful. I have a utility sink in the same room with a water changer. I'm super glad I have vinyl flooring in there, I've flooded that room a few times now.

The rack has made my fishkeeping much more awesome!

Yeah, so have I! Unfortunately, my tank is in the livingroom