Creating more territory in 20g high - shelving?

[Ape0r]

Under the lease on my apartment, I'm limited to no more than a 20g aquarium. This is a problem, as I like cichlids! Today poking around the LFS, I noticed they used some small shelving units inside of some of their reef tank to create more space. It would be wonderful if I could do the same thing - add a shelf about half way up inside the aquarium with various holes for fish to change levels through. I figure this won't create any filtration issues, as the suction for my filter (Penguin 200) would be on the lower level.

I want to find something lightweight but strong, so that I can cover it in pebbles, similar to the lower level and add several rocks, and have a whole lot more territory for my cichlids to explore and claim.

Any recommendations? I thought I might just go to walmart and see if they have any small shelving I could adapt and cut holes in.

Thanks!

 

[mellowvision]

flourescent lighting grid.

 

[Rbishop]

:iagree:

 

[77710]

how about a shelf for a locker, Wal-Mart has them. though they may be narrow or wide depending on how you orient them. home depot has the light fixture grill thing for $11 for a 2x4 piece (i just picked some up for a sump). You could hold the piece up with 1/2 pvc pipe spray painted. and add some screen to keep the gravel from falling through.
To keep the filtration you could add one smaller shelf on both sides with the middle open.
like this:
|.............|
|.............|
|---.....---|
|.............|
|________|