Project Proposal... Two-tier Rack... Input / Reviews Request

[BrownBullhead]

So I am thinknig of building myself a two-tier aquarium rack as shown in attached diagram... CLICK THUMBNAIL for fullsize image.



I am looking to utilize metal shelving, the industrial strength stuff, as each of these tanks should weigh almost 1000 pounds when filled and aquascaped. The rack will sit on a cement sub-floor in a basement in a spot where a 150-gallon currently sits... the 150-gallon will be sold or moved.

Some of my current considerations are...

... Tank rack to be slotted into 79" high x 53" wide "clothes closet" with sliding doors removed;

... Measure allowance for metal shelves, heights of various pieces of equipment, clearance from the floor, etc, all shown on left;

... To be determined... use 2700 kelvin "Aquarium" tubes or 5000 kelvin "Natural Sunshine" tubes;

... To be determined... use ONE or TWO Hydro Sponge (Size 5) sponge filters. EACH is rated for 125 gallon aquariums... this setup the aquariums are 70 gallons each;

... To be determined... what capacity air pump to operate Hydro Sponger 5 filter;

... Other considerations not yet factored ???

I am also going to have flaps hang down from the shelf about 13" to cover the area between the top of a tank, and the shelf above with the attached lighting ballast.

Does anyone have any input they would share on this project?

 

[simonbrown403]

What exactly are the tanks for breeding show??

What fish do you intend to keep.

If breading do you need a substrate, in the interests of Hygiene, or even 2 tubes.

You could get a air pump with 4 outlets to run all 4 filters and keep it in the 6" space underneath.

hydro sponges are bio filtration what do you intend for mechanical.

 

[BrownBullhead]

simonbrown403: The purpose of my rack proposal is to achieve the maximum amount of aquariums/gallons on a minimal amount of floor space, contrasted to the need that my Tropheus colonies each need a minimum of 70-gallon setup to have decent quality-of-life. Maybe I should have mentioned the rack will be for Tropheus colonies? The Tropheus will breed if their health is good but I am not breeding for business purposes or anything like that. I will take your suggestion about the pump being stored under the rack into consideration. And as far as sponges, I have seen in many local Tropheus keepers that sponge filters were the only ones they utilized. I currently run Rena Filstar xP3 on my aquariums, but they will not fit in such a small space under the rack. The space height must be minimal do to a 18"+ bulkhead above the "clothes closet" (with doors removed) space that my rack must fit into, according to the "Queen of the House." The closet is in the basement on a cement floor, currently occupied by a 150-gallon setup.

If you have further questions, please let me know.

 

[simonbrown403]

I understand, so you will be putting rock and other stuff in when done.

I use these air powered sponge filter that i make myself, cheap and simple to make.

I've used them myself, when breeding Tropheus dubios, discus and other fish.

have you considers a flow through filter, you could build it into the side of your tank.

Are you going to put a wooden frame around the front or will you be going for the minamist look.

 

[Airwreck]

Hi There,

If I can add my humble 2 cents worth.. with the depth of your taks you will find that a 9 inch clearance is gonna be tight.. I have a 10 inch opening above my built stand.. and it is at times to narrow..Find anyway you can to make more space..

Good luck
Airwreck

 

[Tolak]

I have a 55 gallon, with a 22" depth on the bottom of a rack beneath a couple of 20 highs. There is 9" of space between the top of the lower tank & the upper shelf. I have no problem working on this tank, and am not petite by any means. I do have light diffuser panels for tops on this trank, they pop off in seconds, leaving the whole top open, this may be what makes it easier.

What I find to be a bigger issue is having the upper tanks a little too high, making it difficult to reach the bottom without standing on something. I can just barely reach the bottom of the tanks on the top racks, & I'm 6 feet tall. Doing a test run with empty tanks raised to varying heights will let you see how high you can build the rack before you will need to stand on something. I tend to raise mine as high as possible, leaving room under the lower tank for storage.

Tolak