cr0wley Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Hi there, so I recently realized that I have enough space in my room to accommodate 2x 40g breeders. I was looking around and heard that a few people have had success with Home Depot-esque industrial storage shelves. I came across this online; https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hirsh-Industries-36-W-x-18-D-x-60-H-4-Shelf-Iron-Horse-Freestanding-Shelves-Black-and-Gray/182662914?from=/search and noticed that this shelf looks more durable due to the multiple layers of steel on the arms, versus cheaper units with only 1 layer of steel on the arms. Does anyone have experience with something like this? If so, please chime in. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SugarBassJoe Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I have a similar shelf that I use primarily for food and supply storage, but I do have a 4G nano tank on it. I know this isn't anything close to a 40G but that being said, it wasn't the frame that caused me concern but the particle board shelving. After a while I noticed the water line in the tank started sloping towards the center. I ended up doubling the boards and it solved the issue. I believe it will work without much issue, but i would either double up the shelves, or better yet, get a thicker solid board to place the tank on. Side note - Watched many tour videos of Master Breeder Dean's fish room and it appears he uses a lot of this type of shelving, but if you look closely, the boards he has on there are noticeably thick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr0wley Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 On 8/20/2023 at 11:12 AM, SugarBassJoe said: I have a similar shelf that I use primarily for food and supply storage, but I do have a 4G nano tank on it. I know this isn't anything close to a 40G but that being said, it wasn't the frame that caused me concern but the particle board shelving. After a while I noticed the water line in the tank started sloping towards the center. I ended up doubling the boards and it solved the issue. I believe it will work without much issue, but i would either double up the shelves, or better yet, get a thicker solid board to place the tank on. Side note - Watched many tour videos of Master Breeder Dean's fish room and it appears he uses a lot of this type of shelving, but if you look closely, the boards he has on there are noticeably thick. Ah, I was under the understanding that with larger tanks like the 40g breeder, that the weight is all distributed to the frame. If you look at the closeups of the shelving, timestamped, you see that the actual supports for the shelf is on the edges and corners. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Correct. On 8/20/2023 at 8:51 AM, cr0wley said: Ah, I was under the understanding that with larger tanks like the 40g breeder, that the weight is all distributed to the frame. For rimmed aquariums yes. They also discuss this in the store build video 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Vercetti Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I went easy-mode for the wife's breeding tanks. Took about 3 and half hours to build and she loves it. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Vercetti Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I used 2×4's and two of these kits: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-WBSK-Workbench-and-Shelving-Hardware-Kit-WBSK/205177374 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JChristophersAdventures Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 @Tommy Vercetti I am definitely with you when it comes to lumber fish tank racks. Even some well known fish keepers use metal bakers style racks for holding tanks... that's not for me... Some say all that lumber is over-kill... well maybe, but give me "over-built" any day of the week! I like to know its solid! lol Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SugarBassJoe Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 On 8/20/2023 at 8:51 AM, cr0wley said: Ah, I was under the understanding that with larger tanks like the 40g breeder, that the weight is all distributed to the frame. If you look at the closeups of the shelving, timestamped, you see that the actual supports for the shelf is on the edges and corners. You're right, I dont know why but i kept thinking multiple tanks on one shelf. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Vercetti Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 @JChristophersAdventuresI have seen some really heavy duty baker's racks but they are very expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galabar Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 If that metal shelving is only 36" wide, I'm wondering if a 36" wide tank will fit in it? It is 36" total, or 36" between the metal bars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galabar Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 2000lb weight capacity: https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/machine-w-2-shelves-48-w-x-18-d-gray 🙂 https://www.uline.com/BL_396/Welded-Steel-Machine-Tables https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-Tier-Industrial-Duty-Steel-Freestanding-Garage-Storage-Shelving-Unit-in-Black-77-in-W-x-78-in-H-x-24-in-D-N2W772478W4B/319132737 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gladiator-White-4-Tier-Heavy-Duty-Steel-Garage-Storage-Shelving-Unit-60-in-W-x-72-in-H-x-18-in-D-GARS604TKW/316902759 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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