Heavy Duty Steel Shelving / Storage Rack? 4000lbs (evenly distributed)

[ericatdallas]

Okay, so I'm thinking of using one of these... or something like it. The first two are rated for 4000lbs and the last one (4-shelf) is rated for 2,000 pounds. How safe are these for fish room / tank use? I know I can build them, but to me, the time to build a rack is offset by the fact I can buy these for about $60-70.

Edsal 5 Shelf Heavy Duty Steel Shelving Unit 36 in. W x 18 in. D x 72 in. H Black Color
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ12l2/R-202995256/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ12l2/R-100095394/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Workforce 5-Shelf Heavy Duty Steel Shelving, 72 in. H x 48 in. W x 24 in. D

Edsal 4-Shelf Galvanized Steel Shelving Unit 36 in. Width x 18 in. Depth x 60 in. Height
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ12l2/R-100655676/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I'm estimating if I calculate 10 pounds per gallon (not to mention these are probably rated much lower than they can actually handle for liability reasons), I could theoretically put between 200-400 gallons on these.

My goal is to probably put four 10 gallon tanks and one twenty gallon tank on the setup with the bottom shelves for supplies. This should put me at only about 60 gallons or at most 600 pounds.

Even if I managed to squeeze a 55G or a 40G in there, I should be okay. I might also leave the 20G and use the top shelf for hydroponics.

Tanks are pretty well evenly distributed. I may feel the need to put plywood underneath to help distribute the weight more if I find the wood underneath is too thin or cheap to hold up anything more.

In every scenario I can think of though, I should be well under the 1750lb mark of the cheapest shelving I've found.

[Bill63SG]

71139A little off topic,but with a little hunting,I found these on Craigs List for $50 apiece.Tool and die shop closing down.125 on top and 120 underneath.I understand if you kinda need it "right now".

[DiscusOnly]

I've seen those shelves use for folks with smaller tanks all the time. I wouldn't trust it because the laminate board are very weak went exposed to the moisture. The cheaper route is to use 2x4. If you want more of the pre-made steel shelf, go with Lowes

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=319497-1281-ER2472&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3219981&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

You can build your own heavier duty ones.

[Ike]

Hey Eric,

I have the Workforce 5-Shelf in my garage right now, holding 4 ten gallon endler breeding tanks, one thing I've got to mention is height... You definitely want to have enough room to get into the tank to net fish / water change / whatever. I initially thought I might put a 55g on it too, but I just didn't have the room. If you'd like I can take a pic of it and post it when I get home. Also It's not deep enough to put the 10g's on it perpendicular unless you don't mind the front or back edge hanging off a few inches, but will fit two horizontally.

After buying this shelving, I found some interesting shelving sold at Lowes, It's kind of like whatever you want shelving where they sell lots of angle iron and beams that fit different lengths.

Check the link out here: http://www.lowes.com/pd_319477-1281-7224PRBWWD3_4294855556+4294868328+4294823675_42949 33768?productId=3172913&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_20000_4294855556

This is an online version which is a particular dimension, in store though they have lots of sizes of each piece that you can customize to fit say a row of 55g's or so on and so forth... I kinda wish I would have gotten this instead of the workforce, and left room for me to expand to more tanks.

-Ike

Ahh, lol My link is the same as DiscusOnly's +1 I'm slow at typing :P

[ericatdallas]

The link you provided is from the same company as the units being pre-sold at Home Depot. I think Lowes sells the same units for shelving. I would replace the laminate board with thicker plywood. I have some thick high quality 3/4" plywood I bought to build a desk that my wife told me to tear apart <shrug>.

Bill -> Your shelf looks like a similar setup as well... except a very good price for a 72" wide unit which usually goes for several hundred bucks. I did look on Craigslist for one, but nothing showed up.

[Skip]

Remember water weighs about 8lbs per gallon.. Not including tank or acessories

[Ike]

The Lowes stuff is Wire bases instead of plywood/pressed board.

[Skip]

I also work at home depot.. I look at those shelves.. I dont buy they could hold 800 to 1000 lbs per shelf.

[ericatdallas]

Thank Ike, I want to do what you're doing with your Workforce. I was putting them on wide... so two tanks per shelf for a 48" shelving unit. I did see one that had a depth of 24" which would work.

The 55G was more of a theoretical, for planning, as max possible load. Not necessarily something I was planning on doing. I was calculating a 10 pound per gallon X 55 gallon = 550 pound, which is lower than the 4000 pound spec'ed, divided by 5 shelves, or 800 pounds per shelf max load.

So long as it can support 10G and even 20G then I'm happy.

I'm not shooting for the 72" wide either.

[ericatdallas]

I also work at home depot.. I look at those shelves.. I dont buy they could hold 800 to 1000 lbs per shelf.

Really? How do you look yourself in the mirror everyday knowingly selling these things then? ;)

Do you think they can handle 200 pounds? Two 10 gallon tanks per shelf or 400 pounds for two 20 gallon tanks?

[Skip]

I dont like the shelf. Its some kind of pressed particle board sitting on only about 1/2 on each rail.. Thats my problem with them..

[Altum Nut]

IMO I would stay away from them.
You have to take for granted that they tested the weight on the entire 4 corners on the top. I bet there was no mention of weight that can be handles on shelving alone. All shevling is just bolted with no support below each shelf. They are just utility stands for garage or basement and would never put a tank on it. 10g yes but nothing bigger.
I would however use shelving that Lowes or Home Depot uses to stock thier items. They are way-way different and much more stronger.

...Ralph

[Bill63SG]

Bill -> Your shelf looks like a similar setup as well... except a very good price for a 72" wide unit which usually goes for several hundred bucks. I did look on Craigslist for one, but nothing showed up.I geuss I just lucked out.they had plenty,was only looking for one,offered a $100.I told him a month from now you'll be scrapping these.We both laughed.If you haven't already,instead of shelves,search under " steel rack or steel racking".

[Darrell Ward]

If you want true heavy duty shelving, search online for steel pallet racks used in warehouses. Bolt them to the floor, use 2 by lumber for the bottom, and you can park cars on them if you want.

[korbi_doc]

If you want really durable strong steel shelving for fish tanks with lotsa water, Global Industries in Atlanta has the very best...I have both, the older ones came from Home Depot & unfortunately were too stressed with a 90 & 100g tanks & bent & had to be reinforced, the difference is amazing....they have many different sizes strengths, etc....JMO, good luck...

Dottie :)

[Jason K.]

I actually have 3- 20 tall's and a fourty breeder on some shelving I got from a target remodel not long ago dim. 12x48 the 3- 20's are side buy side, I did double up the plywood though... 6 month's and all is good...

[Jason K.]

I actually have 3- 20 tall's and a fourty breeder on some shelving I got from a target remodel not long ago dim. 12x48 the 3- 20's are side buy side, I did double up the plywood though... 6 month's and all is good...
very much the same stuff, they called it gorilla racking.

[Bill63SG]

If you want true heavy duty shelving, search online for steel pallet racks used in warehouses. Bolt them to the floor, use 2 by lumber for the bottom, and you can park cars on them if you want.Thats what mine are,Darrell.a smaller version,but the steel is the same thickness.They had both in thier shop.If you look at the picture,those are 2x6's under the tank.