AzFish Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Just picked up two bays of racks, the dexion ones i think? anyway, the shelves(beams) dont bolt to the frames? they just clip into each other .. is this correct? the guys at the pallet place said the shelves would hold 1.5t per shelf and that they dont bolt together, im a little worried about putting a 6x2 onto something thats not bolted together! also, one of the bays i got is 1370 long only, i was going to put 4x2's on this rack, however, i have a 5x2 that i want to use, would a tank overhanging by 130mm be an issue? Cheers, Aaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novafishy Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I personally wouldn't risk an overhanging tank. I rather sleep well than have to think about it. Although i'm sure if you put a thick MDF board to even out the weight, I'd still wouldn't risk it. But say if it was right on ground, it should be ok. I'd also wouldnt risk the non-bolted frames. Just a peace of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch1983 Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I don't use Dexion but i think most pallet racking beams just Clip to the side structure! Well mine do anyway! most come with a little safety pin that drops into a small hole where the beams joins the sides, this pin stops the beams popping out! As for the overhang i think that 13cm is way to much and you won't be properly supporting the face of the tank!, it could potentialy fail under the water load! Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huzzy Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Overhang is suicide. Dont even contemplate it! So much stress would be put on the glass you would either crack the base or break a seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzFish Posted May 2, 2008 Author Share Posted May 2, 2008 Thanks everyone, i'll use the 5x2 somwhere else then! So, with the racks, should i just drill some holes and bolt them together for more peace of mind? The guy's at Malouf's said there is no need at all to bolt them together as the 3 or 4 metal clips on each beam are much stronger then bolts? But i guess doing both will cover my a..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch1983 Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 My last pallet rack had 2x 6x2x2 and and 2 four footers and that was on one span! So i think the structure is strong enough to hold what you want!!! I also think that you should be careful drilling extra holes into it as it may weaken the design!!! Best call the surplyer and ask if it can be drilled!! Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feldar Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 I used to sell pallet racking, so I can tell you for sure that you do not need to bolt the beams on - the tangs from the beams will be sufficient. Just make sure you use the safety clip and you should be fine. Just make sure you shim up the rack to make it all level, before you put the tanks in it. And try and use steel shims. If you have any other questions - please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzFish Posted May 2, 2008 Author Share Posted May 2, 2008 Thanks heaps Feldar, much appreciated! I dont however, have those saftey clips you are reffering to, either they didnt drop them off or the racks dont use them? I'll check later to see if there are any holes that look like a clip will fit into. Excuse my ignorance, what is "shim" are these the steel bars that run diagonally and horizontally up the frames? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feldar Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 No problems - the steel shim, is just a packer to go underneath the feet to make sure the everything is nice and level. I wouldn't be too concerned if the beams do not have safety clips - they are designed to stop the accidental dislodgement of the beams, but in your situation (ie not using a forklift) you should be fine. If you are still worried about it, there should be a hole in the bracket that you can run a bolt through. This is all assuming that what you have is some form of pallet racking. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chorrylan Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Thanks everyone, i'll use the 5x2 somwhere else then! So, with the racks, should i just drill some holes and bolt them together for more peace of mind? The guy's at Malouf's said there is no need at all to bolt them together as the 3 or 4 metal clips on each beam are much stronger then bolts? But i guess doing both will cover my a..! hi Adam, maloufs have a pretty good brand-identification section on their website http://www.maloufs.com.au/pallet_racking/p...ntification.htm it might be worth your while to check and see if you can identify which particular brand/model you have. You may then be able to establish whether it was supposed to be used with locking pins etc. (or at least know what brand/model you're lookign for if you try to find some) Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzFish Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 I personally wouldn't risk an overhanging tank. I rather sleep well than have to think about it. Although i'm sure if you put a thick MDF board to even out the weight, I'd still wouldn't risk it. But say if it was right on ground, it should be ok. I'd also wouldnt risk the non-bolted frames. Just a peace of mind. Thanks everyone for the assistance. Laurie - I have Colby racks after looking at their website, didnt even think to see if Malouf's had a site! NovaFishy - You say use MDF board. Is this OK to use around water? my last experience with MDF left me with a tank hood resembling sodden carboard Also, with the shelf boards, as the tank themselves are sitting on these, should I put some wooded beams underneath the board to give more support? Or is placing the tanks diectly on the boards suffice? taking into cosideration the only support in place are the beams attached to the frames? With thick enough boards, is there no or limited risk to the tank falling throug the board? Cheers, Aaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feldar Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I personally wouldn't risk an overhanging tank. I rather sleep well than have to think about it. Although i'm sure if you put a thick MDF board to even out the weight, I'd still wouldn't risk it. But say if it was right on ground, it should be ok. I'd also wouldnt risk the non-bolted frames. Just a peace of mind. Thanks everyone for the assistance. Laurie - I have Colby racks after looking at their website, didnt even think to see if Malouf's had a site! NovaFishy - You say use MDF board. Is this OK to use around water? my last experience with MDF left me with a tank hood resembling sodden carboard Also, with the shelf boards, as the tank themselves are sitting on these, should I put some wooded beams underneath the board to give more support? Or is placing the tanks diectly on the boards suffice? taking into cosideration the only support in place are the beams attached to the frames? With thick enough boards, is there no or limited risk to the tank falling throug the board? Cheers, Aaron Aaron - what depth is the pallet racking you have? The standard for pallet racking is 840D, but you may have brought something different? If for example you do have 840D racking, and your tanks are only 600D, then you are going to require some extra support under the board (unless you plan on using 32mm board!). If you have 600D racking, and your tanks are 600D, then the beams are taking most of the load, without putting too much pressure on the board. I would suggest in this situation using either some 19mm minimum external grade plywood(waterproof) or some 22mm thick structural flooring (also water proof). I would avoid standard MDF or particleboard as they will swell if you do not seal them first. BTW - the Colby racking should have been supplied with beam safety clips - although if you read my earlier post, they (IMO) are not strictley required in your situation. Cheers, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzFish Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 Thanks Matt. There are clips available for the beams, mine being second hand, did not come with them. There is room though for a bolt so I will do that to add some saftey. The rack depth is 840, the tanks are 600 so I will put some timber under the board to support the tanks better. Cheers, Aaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzFish Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Instead of timber I am going to go for steel to support the tanks. These will be welded to the racks. On my 6x2 stand they used 25mmx25mmx2mm steel tube, i was going to use the same for the racks, will this be OK to use? The room I hope will be finished by the end of the month! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feldar Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 It all depends on how close together you plan on putting the steel tubes. There are tables that will tell you how much weight a certain size section of steel will take, and how much it will deflect. You could possibly try some steel merchants for this infomation. I am no engineer, so I don't want to tell you something that may be incorrect, and cause you any grief. Hope it all works out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzah Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Where do you all get your pallet racking from? The pallet racking I've seen ain't cheep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzFish Posted August 22, 2008 Author Share Posted August 22, 2008 http://www.maloufs.com.au/ I think I paid around 500 for 2 racks delivered. Cheers, Az Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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