Diy Rack Unit / Garage Shelving

[CrazyAirborne]

So Im trying to slide a couple more tanks in without my wife taking much notice, and Ive figured out my garage is my best bet, so I thru together a nice little Google Sketchup drawing, and Im pretty happy with the results. If you like drawing in 3d, Sketchup is free and easy and awesome.

Im using 2x4's utilizing dato joints, so all the weight wont be just straining on screws, but the wood will actually be resting on wood.

im going to have a 29g (pictured) and also a 10 gallon sitting next to it. the rest of the shelving is going to be for storage etc. there will be 4 shelves total, the bottom one isnt filled in in the pic

i purchased the wood today. (wow expensive) but not as expensive as buying actually racking systems, as those are REALLY Expensive, especially when trying to cover a whole 8 foot wall.

now im thinking about painting, at least the bottom half, with some water proof or resistant type paint. Any suggestions? doesnt have to look pretty. i also need to figure out a way to secure it to the wall, as ive realized it might be kind of unstable, given that its only 20 inches deep. thoughts?

I should be starting the cutting tomorrow.

 

[Tizer]

An L shaped bracket on the top of each upright should do the trick to secure it to the wall. Tiz how i do mine sometimes.

Or just drill and secure the rear uprights into the wall with some big screws.

Have fun!

That wood doesnt look like a 2"x4" ....

You might want to consider some large sheets of Polystyrene against the wall first as a naked wall will sap any heat away from a tank very quickly, especially in the winter. Then fix an inch to the back and sides of the tank to help.

 

[micko]

I'm sure it will look good.

I'd always suggest to joint wood like that. Much stronger.

I'd screw it to the wall as Tizer suggested, its easy and simple to do.

Also, I'd varnish it with a boat varnish. Will obviously repel the water and I'd do the whole thing.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

An L shaped bracket on the top of each upright should do the trick to secure it to the wall. Tiz how i do mine sometimes.

Or just drill and secure the rear uprights into the wall with some big screws.

Have fun!

That wood doesnt look like a 2"x4" ....

You might want to consider some large sheets of Polystyrene against the wall first as a naked wall will sap any heat away from a tank very quickly, especially in the winter. Then fix an inch to the back and sides of the tank to help.

thanks for the suggestions, I will definatly get some polystyrene, can you aquire large sheets easily? i wouldnt know where to look.

also, the 2x4's, are 50x100mm standard UK size, being from the states, i asked for a 2x4 and this is what they showed me, after measuring it tho, the actual cut is 1.5 x 3.5 but i think this is the standard for a smooth 2x4? idk, its what i got, so its what i gotta use

boat varnish sounds good, hopefully it wont be extremely expensive?

 

[Tizer]

Have a look in Wickes, im sure they do it, its used for lofts/walls/floors, comes in all sorts of sizes.

 

[GraphicGr8s]

An L shaped bracket on the top of each upright should do the trick to secure it to the wall. Tiz how i do mine sometimes.

Or just drill and secure the rear uprights into the wall with some big screws.

Have fun!

That wood doesnt look like a 2"x4" ....

You might want to consider some large sheets of Polystyrene against the wall first as a naked wall will sap any heat away from a tank very quickly, especially in the winter. Then fix an inch to the back and sides of the tank to help.

thanks for the suggestions, I will definatly get some polystyrene, can you aquire large sheets easily? i wouldnt know where to look.

also, the 2x4's, are 50x100mm standard UK size, being from the states, i asked for a 2x4 and this is what they showed me, after measuring it tho, the actual cut is 1.5 x 3.5 but i think this is the standard for a smooth 2x4? idk, its what i got, so its what i gotta use

boat varnish sounds good, hopefully it wont be extremely expensive?

That's standard size for a 2x4. You don't really need boat varnish. Any film forming product will work. Waterbased polyurethane will work just fine. And it's about odorless. The boat varnishes contain UV inhibitors and such which you don't need.


Have to say however your sketch is the first I've seen where the dado joints are taken into account. Nice job.

George

 

[CrazyAirborne]

That's standard size for a 2x4. You don't really need boat varnish. Any film forming product will work. Waterbased polyurethane will work just fine. And it's about odorless. The boat varnishes contain UV inhibitors and such which you don't need.


Have to say however your sketch is the first I've seen where the dado joints are taken into account. Nice job.

George

thanks!

Ive got it about 50% completed, just need to cut out the plywood shelves and screw em on. Im using one solid piece of plywood for the whole length of each shelf so ive got to cut out slots for the vertical 2x4's so the shelf can slide down. I think its going to be very sturdy, but dang its taking alot of time to get everything just right.

I also picked up some exterior weather resistant paint. It should be fine, seeing as how it should only ever get a few drops on it, and ill be wiping those off. If it can handle the weather outside, I figure itll be fine.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

finally finished! Ill have to paint it yet, but my wife has been on my case about spending too much time out in the garage (wait till i get the tanks set up!)

 

[micko]

Good job. What are you going to paint it with?

I only mentioned boat varnish as I like it. Plus, there will be no water getting through it.

Are you happy with it?

 

[L_Plates]

Looking good. Looking forward to further pics and updates. Sooooooooooo jealous

 

[CrazyAirborne]

Deluxe weathershield exterior satin. Got one coat done, needs a second coat

 

[Tizer]

nice job mate, the wood actually looks a good size from those pics, looked tiny in the first one.

Should have missed out a middle upright so you could get some long tanks in there

 

[CrazyAirborne]

got it painted.

now the wife is saying she doesnt want more tanks. so Ill still set up my 29g on it, and move a 10g over to it. but ill just use them both as grow out tanks.

 

[Tolak]

Looks real good! Long ago my wife said no more tanks. I found seven 150 gallon tubs. She's long since given up on the no more tanks idea.

 

[cheeky chappie]

does the construction comply with all current EU building regulations? if not can you please dismantle immediately and re-build ensuring compliance with the aforementioned.