Rack designs

[Russel P]

I'm starting an LFS and am currently at the point where I need to build aquarium racks. I've looked all over the 'net and haven't been able to come up with anything. Anyone have any links, blueprints, etc.? Thanks in advance.

[CarmieJo]

Hey! How are you? I was afraid the LFS had swallowed you up like Jonah and forgot to spit you back out! Unfortunately, I don't know anything about building racks.

[lReef lKeeper]

the racks will depend on the sizes of the tanks.

[poppin_fresh]

I'm assuming you are talking about racks for the holding tanks?

[Russel P]

Yes, racks for tanks, perhaps I should have been more clear. I can alter the measurements to accommodate the tanks I plan to use, it's been hard enough finding some general layouts. FWIW, I plan on using 20L and 40B tanks (30x12 and 36x18, respectively). Like I said, if the design is for different sized tanks, I can apply the design to the size I need. I'm surprised how little I've been able to find through Google searches.

[Small Fry]

srry, im still confused. Are you talking about the shelves to put the tanks themselves on? Or racks inside the tanks for frags etc..

If you're talking about the shelves, i can make a design for you out on paint. I helped my LFS build some a couple weeks ago.

[lReef lKeeper]

i think it is shelves to put the tanks on.

[poppin_fresh]

Heres a pic from my LFS. They used 2 x 4's and 3/4" plywood painted black to make affordable, unobtrusive racking.

Plogger Gallery

[Small Fry]

Alrightey, basic paint design for you here

NOTES:

FRONT VIEW
-There MUST be an interior 2x4 inside the outside one.
-If you look at the very bottom of the first pic, notice that there is one 2x4 running all the way up, and one on the inside, underneath the shelf. This interior piece of 2x4 is what is really holding up the shelves.
IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS< THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE TANKS IS ON A COUPLE OF SCREWS!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Screws are shown by the thick black line

Shelf view (From top)
-Each crossing 2x4 will make each shelf more rigid, and will divide the weight up more evenly among the shelf.
-For example, if you were to put a 100 pound rock on the front 2x4, without the crossing ones, all that weight will be on that one, and will cause it to break. With the crossing 2x4 pieces, that front piece is support by the back piece through the crosses. It will not bend with this support.

Thats all i have for now, any question just ask me.
This is exactly how we built the ones at my LFS, and this is how i built my 120 stand.

[dfisch1]

I manage a LFS in Baton Rouge. We build all of our tank racks out of 2x4s and use 2 1/2 inch deck screws to hold them together. We build a frame 1/4 an inch larger then the tank. In this rim we add at least two additional supports for mounting lights later. The vertical pieces are four 2x4s cut to height. I use at least three screws to hold each upright to the frames.

[SaltCritters]

Here is a pic of the shelfs i build in my fish room. They work real well and are simple to make. I Just used 2x4's and plywood.


There are some more pictures in my build thread.