6' racks

[Guest David]

Has anyone out there built a rack to house three 6'x2'x18" tanks.

I have built the rack on the SCP DIY page for 4'x18"x18" just not sure about the extra width and then of course the length. Could I achieve this by using thicker wood. Anyone tried it?

Preferably out of timber as I can then build it myself.

Thanks

David

[Ducksta]

4x2 pine should support that. I would probably have 6 uprights. Make sure you brace it properly. If you can, for peace of mind, use a stronger cut for the uprights, but 4x2 for the shelving should be fine. Better still, get somebody to weld something up for you.

[ViS]

It may almost work out cheaper to get pallet racking. Each shelf will hold 2 tonnes pretty easily, so weight is not a problem. I have 6 tanks on one of my racks, all 4x2x18, so you could put a 6x2x18 and a 2x2x18 on each shelf, or use the extra 2-3ft as storage for food, filters etc. The beams come standard in about 9ft lengths, but they do come in other lengths too.

All up for a brand new rack with 3 shelves, you should get out of it for under $500, and the best thing is that the height of each shelf is adjustable, and it can be pulled apart and set up by one person easily and transported in a station wagon.

If you decide you want 6x2x2 tanks one day, then it's too easy to adjust the height of the shelves accordingly.

I use Dexion Racking as I believe they are the best quality, but you could shop around for prices.

Some will say the shelves bow slightly, but I can's see it on my rack and I've run string lines straight across to make sure. As long as you use polystyrene under it, it will make up for any slight bowing anyway.

I also use 16mm mdf under the tanks (and foam). You probably don't need to, but I just prefer to have the tanks sitting on a perfectly flat, machined surface.