Says it'll hold up to 350 lbs.. is it safe?

Sawyer

Sawyer

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Apr 24, 2009
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I have a pair of metal or steel shelving units and each shelf (there's 5 or 6 shelves for each shelving unit) is supposed to hold up to 350 lbs each. on one shelving unit there's 2 shelves that would be perfect for a tank. Even though its supposed to hold up to 350 pounds I'd only put up to a 10 or 20 on them (they're not big enough to have a larger tank on them anyway) and have a board underneath to even out the weight. Do you think that would be ok, since they were made to hold that much weight? The shelving unit is on wheels, does that make any difference?
 
what are the wheels made of and are they lockable?

the shelf unit sounds plenty strong enough to hold smaller tanks like that. i have a gorilla rack from Canuck Tire, lol, that says each shelf is for 500 pounds (but i wouldn't dare trust that much weight on it!) and i had a ten gallon on 3 of the shelves no problem. mind you, mine could come apart in halfs and stand side by side and thats how i had it. see:

n572354574_2574766_1793539.jpg

if the shelves are particle board i would wrap them in shower curtain. better to be safe than sorry.

n572354574_2574766_1793539.jpg
 
shower curtain? what does that help?
 
If it looks like a reputable manufacturer, and your own judgement tells you they look sturdy enough, including the wheels, then I would say yes.
350 lbs is a couple of people, isn't it? Per shelf? How 'bout you test the shelves out with a couple of friends!
(I think the board is definitely a good idea.)
 
Flying_Diamond said:
shower curtain? what does that help?
Click to expand...

Keeps the shelf dry, because particle board will absorb water, swell and weaken.

I have a tank on metal shelves with MDF decks, and I DIDN'T cover them, and I wish I had, because now I worry...

EDIT: Hey Swayer, you posted this twice!
 
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and for el cheapo clear shower curtains just go to your local dollar store and get the ones that are just liners. cut to fit and wrap them underneath, making the top smooth. be very careful when setting the tanks down, the plastic will tear easy if you get the cheap shower curtains.

you could go with coloured too, that'd look nice.
 
the wheels are made out of the same stuff as the shelves, metal I think. and they do lock

I'll remember to do the shower curtain thing. Right now I have a 10 on one shelf and I'm going to have to move it and get a bigger board because the one I'm using now is just barely too small (about half a inch on either side of the 10 hangs off) so I'll take it up and get a bigger board and put a shower curtain on it.
 
you might want to take the wheels off if you can before you have all three tanks up on the shelves. another 'better safe than sorry'.
 
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