Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Hey guys,
So I finally have my ducks in a row and have figured out my plan for my fish rack in my basement workshop. The rack will be 8' long with three rows of tanks. The top row will have three 20L. The middle row will have 7+/- 10 gallons (short-wise) and 2 +/- 5.5 gallons. The bottom row (on floor) will have 3 30B/30T (designing now to accommodate 30T because I already have one and they are more common for finding a 2nd one). I posted a while back about a height restriction and it's still the major design factor (70" to top of top tank). Vertically, it will layout like this (top to bottom):
Cabinet door bottom
13" - 20L
5" - Shelf (3/8 blue foam, 3/4" plywood, 3.5" 2x4)
6" - working space
13" - 10G
5" - Shelf (same as above)
6" - working space
17" - 30 tall
4" - double 4x4s under tank
Floor
The top tank can be accessed behind the cabinet doors (which swing up).... I will remove the bottom shelf.
So the bottom tanks will be sitting on the floor atop 4x4s. While this does not allow for much syphoning strength, it'll have to work. Perhaps if I get some extra funds, I can switch these tanks to the 30B variety that are shorter and wider and move them up a bit more.
The 6" working space between tanks is thin, but will be more like 8" under the shelves themselves (away from the perimeter 2x4s). I will mount shop lights directly to the underside of the plywood shelves.
As for vertical supports (here's where I need help), I plan on using 2 ea 2x4 at each end, with 3 across the back and 2 across the front. Is this enough support? I have a few old 2x12s and could switch out one or more of the rear 2x4s for one of these puppies.
What is the recommended max axial load of a 2x4"?
I know pictures would help, and will try to put something up when I have more time.
Thanks for all your help in advance,
Tony
So I finally have my ducks in a row and have figured out my plan for my fish rack in my basement workshop. The rack will be 8' long with three rows of tanks. The top row will have three 20L. The middle row will have 7+/- 10 gallons (short-wise) and 2 +/- 5.5 gallons. The bottom row (on floor) will have 3 30B/30T (designing now to accommodate 30T because I already have one and they are more common for finding a 2nd one). I posted a while back about a height restriction and it's still the major design factor (70" to top of top tank). Vertically, it will layout like this (top to bottom):
Cabinet door bottom
13" - 20L
5" - Shelf (3/8 blue foam, 3/4" plywood, 3.5" 2x4)
6" - working space
13" - 10G
5" - Shelf (same as above)
6" - working space
17" - 30 tall
4" - double 4x4s under tank
Floor
The top tank can be accessed behind the cabinet doors (which swing up).... I will remove the bottom shelf.
So the bottom tanks will be sitting on the floor atop 4x4s. While this does not allow for much syphoning strength, it'll have to work. Perhaps if I get some extra funds, I can switch these tanks to the 30B variety that are shorter and wider and move them up a bit more.
The 6" working space between tanks is thin, but will be more like 8" under the shelves themselves (away from the perimeter 2x4s). I will mount shop lights directly to the underside of the plywood shelves.
As for vertical supports (here's where I need help), I plan on using 2 ea 2x4 at each end, with 3 across the back and 2 across the front. Is this enough support? I have a few old 2x12s and could switch out one or more of the rear 2x4s for one of these puppies.
What is the recommended max axial load of a 2x4"?
I know pictures would help, and will try to put something up when I have more time.
Thanks for all your help in advance,
Tony
