how about this rack design?????

[gregga]

what do you guys think of this 3-level cinderblock stand? Too many blocks? Can it be modified for slightly larger tanks? Thoughts ..........


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAz_uLJj7Hs

[yourfishstuff]

The first rack I ever built for my fishroom was similar to this. I just used some 2" x 4" lumber and some cinder blocks. I think I put larger tanks on the top shelf.

[CrabbyMatty]

Seems to work pretty well for the tanks they are using. I especially like watching the top two tanks fill on time lapse.

[gregga]

The bottom rack has a middle brace of blocks, so weight is no problem. What I'm wondering is how much weight could safely be put on the middle and top shelves since there is no center supports below either.....also, do those look liek standard cinder blocks to everyone?

[joe_jaskot]

The bottom rack has a middle brace of blocks, so weight is no problem. What I'm wondering is how much weight could safely be put on the middle and top shelves since there is no center supports below either.....also, do those look liek standard cinder blocks to everyone?

Standard cinder blocks with cap blocks. As far as weight goes, you can always add metal bracing to the outside of the platforms or beef up the lumber used to make them.

[Tony]

Looks pretty darn solid to me. Matt Quinn has built virtually his whole fish room out of cinder block and lumber. It works quite well, especially if you plan on ever modifying anything.

If you wanted to place big tanks up top, an easy way to beef it up would be to add a center column of block up the center. Solid.

[cichfrk]

....What I'm wondering is how much weight could safely be put on the middle and top shelves since there is no center supports below either..... Neat! For all those wishing that they are carpentry-savvy, this is an easier and simpler way to build your own fish racks. All you need to learn is to build the frames. Those frames are probably and they should be made with 2 x 4's inside. My guess is at least four 2 x 4's glued and nailed together with a solid top which makes it really solid that doesn't need any center support. The absence of the center support makes it really neat.

This fish rack is modular in the sense that it could be dissambled easily. It needs to have the bigger tanks on top because the heavy weight of the bigger tanks exerting pressure on each cinder block tie them together creating one structurally sound solid piece. Very clever.

Nice posting Gregg!

[maddog10]

I have not used cinder blocks, but have built multi level racks out of wood. 2x4 for 4' spans, 2x6 for 6' spans and 2x8 for 8' spans is a good rule to follow. I also make sure that there is 8" of clear space between the top of the tanks and any supports above.

The lumber mentioned above is just for the horizontal pieces, I used 2x4's for all uprights regardless of span.

[gregga]

nobody has any issues with stocking cinderblocks that high?

Is 8" clearance above each tank enough to work comfortably?

maddog....any pics of your racks...I begin building hopefully this coming weekend.

Tony...I don't know Matt Q. any chance he can post a few pics of his setup here?

[joe_jaskot]

nobody has any issues with stocking cinderblocks that high?

Is 8" clearance above each tank enough to work comfortably?


No problem stacking block that high as long as the first course of block is level.

8" clearance is manageable as long as you don't use HOB filters. Tough to get them off when cleaning the filters.

[JROGO]

My entire fishroom is made of cinder blocks and 4x4's I have a couple 125 gallon tanks on them with no problems at all. If you can stagger the top rack by 6-8" you can get in and out of the bottom racks with little problems.

Thanks
Joe

[gregga]

jr...please post pics of as many of your racks as possible...thanks in advance.....

[cracks]

How do you think the weight distribution is with this type of rack? Think a 75, 55 & a bunch of fry tanks would be a bad idea on first floor? Seems like the cheapest way to add more tanks to my bedroom.

[twong727]

How do you think the weight distribution is with this type of rack? Think a 75, 55 & a bunch of fry tanks would be a bad idea on first floor? Seems like the cheapest way to add more tanks to my bedroom.

+1 with the weight distribution. I want to do something like this on my first floor one day with a few show tanks and a wall entirely with breeding tanks....one day......if family permits.....

[TrashmanNYC]

Interesting.