Shelving Units (any ideas?)

[mooman]

After a being out of the hobby for the last nine months I am moving into a house and am ready to get some more tanks. My two ideas so far are:

building racks out of 2x4s
or
the metal racks they use in foodservice to store canned goods (expensive)

What have you used in your fishrooms? Where did you get them? How much did they cost? I'd like to be able to keep three 10g tanks (or 2 30in tanks) per shelf. I would also like the option of turning 10g tanks longways to be able to keep even more.

 

[YoFishboy]

I usually use 2 X 4's for smaller racks and cinder blocks and 4 X 4's for larger tanks....easy to custimize, sturdy with appropriate bracing.....have gotten me through several earthquakes too, including the 1989 Loma Priata!

 

[mooman]

cinder blocks! don't know why I didn't think of it. Cheap, uniform in size, and easily moved.

Do you just make rectangular shelves and stack cinder blocks in between? What kind of "bacing" do you use?

PS anybody have a ballpark on how much cinder blocks and 4x4s cost each?

 

[YoFishboy]

I just use the cinder blocks to build up the height I want, add 2 X 8 chunks to adjust for smaller increments, lay the 4 X 4's on that level. I add blocks approximately every 4 feet of run, and I never go more than 1 level of cinder block footing, although I may use a combo of upright and sideways block to get to the height I need. If I need to go higher, I will tie in a 2 X 4 racking system for smaller tanks above the initial level. I usually put smaller tanks below, and the larger "show" tanks on the 4 X4's. 24 inch depth (3 blocks) will give good stability. If you want to get really hinky about it, you can use Hot Water tank strapping to tie the blocks to the wall (we ain't talking pretty here, just functional). If you want to go higher with cinder blocks, go deeper too and use a stepped racking system that keeps the overall height down.

I'm in the San Fran Bay Area, blocks go for under $2 each, 10 foot 4 X4's about $10 for good quality wood.