Racking recommendations?

[UrbanDryad]

So, I've got accelerated Multiple Tank Syndrome, with aquariums and terrariums slowly expanding across every horizontal surface in my home. It's time to get some kind of racking system and use that vertical space!

Most of the recommendations I've seen are US-based. Searching this forum got me a lot of "racking my brain" and other idiomatic results. Rackzone is closer to home and looked perfect, but they don't ship to England. Someone on a Facebook group recommended this one from B&Q, but the low price feels a bit too good to be true, and the MDF shelving + some of the reviews are enough to give me pause. G-Rack looks like it has good options, but all the shelving is MDF rather than wood or metal, which again makes me nervous because of how that stuff disintegrates when wet - it's described as 'moisture resistant' but the product pages recommend fully varnishing it if it might get wet.

What racking systems do you use, where did you source them, and how long have they held up? If you don't use racking systems but do keep a lot of tanks, what do you use instead?

(As a note, I don't have much 'workshop' space or a garden, so any option that involves a lot of DIY may not be practical for me.)

 

[seedoubleyou]

Have you tried eBay? Sometimes you get people closing down fish rooms or even small aquatic shops.

 

[Simon Cole]

I had mine made in Stoke on Trent out of 50mm tubular steel powder-coated white. The chap who does them really knows his stuff. His team specialise in aquarium stands and are metalworkers and aquarists, so they put a lot of detail into perfect levelling and smoothing. They can do just about anything. Give me a shout if you need their details? I would say that the cost is equivalent to the better-quality industrial heavy-duty racking (not the cheaper Rhino, G-rack stuff). Not set it up yet, but looks fine.

 

[UrbanDryad]

Have you tried eBay? Sometimes you get people closing down fish rooms or even small aquatic shops.

I've been looking at second-hand options, yeah, but haven't found anything that works for me yet, so I was hoping to get recommendations for specific brands / suppliers to look for.

I had mine made in Stoke on Trent out of 50mm tubular steel powder-coated white. The chap who does them really knows his stuff. His team specialise in aquarium stands and are metalworkers and aquarists, so they put a lot of detail into perfect levelling and smoothing. They can do just about anything. Give me a shout if you need their details? I would say that the cost is equivalent to the better-quality industrial heavy-duty racking (not the cheaper Rhino, G-rack stuff). Not set it up yet, but looks fine.

That sounds very exciting! I will confess that I have no clue what the standard cost is for high quality industrial racking, but I'd be delighted to be put in touch with them to find out. I'll DM you now

 

[The grumpy one]

What about something like this racking ?
Don't know the company but 600Kg per shelf should work. Bit of wooden x bracing, hide metalwork with timber covering and replace MDF shelfing with ply or seal MDF with varnish?

 

[UrbanDryad]

I appreciate the recommendation, but adding bracing, treating shelves / cutting new shelves, and covering the frame with timber sounds like the kind of modification that would require more space and DIY confidence/competence than I currently have 😅 I don't have a garden or garage and I've got no experience with woodworking. Ideally I'd like something that I can just assemble without modifications, if that's possible. Oh, and something that I can carry up several flights of stairs, either in pieces or when assembled, which (now I think of it) might knock out the big steel constructions that @Simon Cole recommended...

 

[mrhoyo]

What about something like this racking ?
Don't know the company but 600Kg per shelf should work. Bit of wooden x bracing, hide metalwork with timber covering and replace MDF shelfing with ply or seal MDF with varnish?
View attachment 210588

I have that and it's very simple to put together. My father in law is a steel fabricator and he recommended something like that over a bespoke steel tube rack due to price and the fact that they're tested so you can be pretty sure they'll hold as advertised.
The shelves are very thin MDF, 6mm I believe. They sit more or less flush with the front rail and on top of bearers. Structurally they should be fine but I'd recommend going to B&Q or somewhere and getting them to cut 18mm plywood versions instead. If the MDF gets too wet it can swell up and disintegrate. Plywood isn't waterproof but is much more resistant, especially if sealed with paint or something (even more so if you use exterior grade material). The reason I say 18mm is purely because it's rigid vs the 6mm MDF - it's a bit disconcerting when your shelf bends and bows.

 

[UrbanDryad]

I have that and it's very simple to put together. My father in law is a steel fabricator and he recommended something like that over a bespoke steel tube rack due to price and the fact that they're tested so you can be pretty sure they'll hold as advertised.
The shelves are very thin MDF, 6mm I believe. They sit more or less flush with the front rail and on top of bearers. Structurally they should be fine but I'd recommend going to B&Q or somewhere and getting them to cut 18mm plywood versions instead. If the MDF gets too wet it can swell up and disintegrate. Plywood isn't waterproof but is much more resistant, especially if sealed with paint or something (even more so if you use exterior grade material). The reason I say 18mm is purely because it's rigid vs the 6mm MDF - it's a bit disconcerting when your shelf bends and bows.

Thanks, it's really good to know you've got positive personal experience with it AND a recommendation from a professional! How long have you had yours up and running? And thank you for the specifics on what kind of plywood to replace with.

Just had a further look at the Tufferman website and found these ones - all metal! I'm really surprised their weight limit is so much lower than the closest equivalent MDF ones - is it just because of the difference in dimensions, or is the metal actually weaker than MDF or plywood?

 

[dino21]

You have not said what are the sizes of your tanks and also what height is needed to place the lights and gain access for cleaning the tank if you used those Racks?

The modular assemblies you initially mentioned are real heavy weight units designed for garage workshops and would seem very expensive for your needs.

Machine Mart do both racks and modular units, there is a branch in Brighton which may have some on actual display ?
Machine Mart Power Tools and Machinery: Clarke, Dewalt, Makita, Ryobi, Bosch - Machine Mart

Depends on your needs/ abilities, if your tanks were all 3ft or under you could probably make your own with some 3"x2" CLS timber and 18mm plywod, place like B&Q can cut the ply to size.
Also consider the weight on your floors if not concrete.

 

[UrbanDryad]

You have not said what are the sizes of your tanks and also what height is needed to place the lights and gain access for cleaning the tank if you used those Racks?

Oh, that's a really good point, whoops 😅 Currently the aquariums I have running are 10L, 29L, and 45L - the 10L is currently on a small MDF cabinet, the 29L is on my desk (technically a dinner table but I use it as a desk), and the 45L is on a solid wood coffee table. I've got three more empty second-hand aquariums ranging between 45L and 54L which I hope to refurbish and fill. I've got maybe 10 terrariums from lightbulb-sized to 30L, but they're mostly not very heavy so can happily sit on most furniture, it's just I'd like to clear some more space, y'know? I'm not worried about a rack being too big - I've got lots of 'stuff' that doesn't have a home and could go there, and room to expand is always nice.

I'm not sure how to quantify the height thing. I've got a stepladder, but I'm not the tallest of people, so probably wouldn't want anything ceiling-scraping?

The modular assemblies you initially mentioned are real heavy weight units designed for garage workshops and would seem very expensive for your needs.

I may well have been overly influenced by serious hobbyists who have monster tanks, yes 🤣 I think I'm firmly a nano tank person for the moment, so maybe I don't need this after all? But I also really prefer not to take risks - so would rather err on the side of caution and get something excessive than something insufficient.

Machine Mart do both racks and modular units, there is a branch in Brighton which may have some on actual display ?
Machine Mart Power Tools and Machinery: Clarke, Dewalt, Makita, Ryobi, Bosch - Machine Mart

Oh, good shout, thank you! That's fantastic. I'll go have a look. They seem about the same price point / heavy-dutiness as the ones you said above might be overkill?

Depends on your needs/ abilities, if your tanks were all 3ft or under you could probably make your own with some 3"x2" CLS timber and 18mm plywod, place like B&Q can cut the ply to size.

My tanks are easily under 3ft, but I don't have any experience with woodworking, or a garden/garage/workshop space in which to make my own, so I'm looking for something simple to assemble (unless anyone would like to build it for me 🤣 ).

Also consider the weight on your floors if not concrete.

I believe my floors are concrete, then boarding, then underlay and laminate flooring. I'm on a top floor flat if that makes any difference.

 

[dino21]

Even your 54Ltr tanks only weighs about 70kg fully loaded so those 600kg per shelf units seem rather bulky for your needs, unless they suit your style ?

For your smaller tanks and lighter terraniums think we would look at something like these unts, though the baseboards iook like thin mdf so we would replace them with stronger plywood and seal them with paint or varnish
Halfords Boltless Shelving Unit 265kg | Halfords UK

 

[UrbanDryad]

Even your 54Ltr tanks only weighs about 70kg fully loaded so those 600kg per shelf units seem rather bulky for your needs, unless they suit your style ?

For your smaller tanks and lighter terraniums think we would look at something like these unts, though the baseboards iook like thin mdf so we would replace them with stronger plywood and seal them with paint or varnish
Halfords Boltless Shelving Unit 265kg | Halfords UK

Yeah, I was taking the rec for the 600kg shelves more as a rec for the style / manufacturer - if you look at the ones I linked to, the B&Q shelves are 175kg/shelf, and the two Tufferman ones (same place that made the 600kg shelf) offered 130kg/shelf (for the all metal one) or 280kg/shelf (the MDF one).

I like the look of the Halfords one you linked - is that 265kg per shelf, or total weight capacity? The site seems unclear to me, but maybe it's obvious to people who know their stuff (like you) that it would only ever mean per shelf?

Okay, time for me to ask a newbie question, because I'm increasingly confused by this: if the shelves are rated to hold a certain weight, but the boards from which the shelves are constructed don't seem very strong, how do they get that rating? Is it to do with the thickness/construction of the metal parts? Does switching to a stronger material increase the amount the shelves can hold to a number above the rating, or does the rating just refer to whether the metal will twist/snap? I hope that question makes sense.

 

[dino21]

Hi,
Have not used those racks , only going on what the web pages say.
However the normal way to state the weight handling is eg 175kg per Shelf evenly distributed or a total of 875kg per Bay of Shelves.

Those 175kg shelves should be more than capable of taking your tanks and have the added advantage you can split them into that horizontal configuration they show.

Just found this site selliing the similar racks to the Halfords which is 450mm deep, they have same and other depths but they are available in a choice of colours which might be beter for you ?
5 Tier Boltless Shelving Unit

As you can see they only have thin boards which we would suggest are not stout enough for the tanks , particularly if they are exposed to water drips etc, so would replace them with plywood and we again woud suggest 18mm to stand the test of time.
You might be able to use the boards supplied by screwing on battens to the underside to add strength, though hard to say without seeing them first hand.

 

[UrbanDryad]

Hi,
Have not used those racks , only going on what the web pages say.
However the normal way to state the weight handling is eg 175kg per Shelf evenly distributed or a total of 875kg per Bay of Shelves.

Those 175kg shelves should be more than capable of taking your tanks and have the added advantage you can split them into that horizontal configuration they show.

I think all the units linked on here can be split into that horizontal configuration, they just don't all display it as prominently in the images - but it's there if you scroll

Just found this site selliing the similar racks to the Halfords which is 450mm deep, they have same and other depths but they are available in a choice of colours which might be beter for you ?
5 Tier Boltless Shelving Unit

Yeah, I linked to G-Rack in my first post in this thread! I was uncertain because I felt suspicious of the MDF. But it seems increasingly like treating or replacing MDF is a given, unless I get the all-metal Storalex ones from Tufferman. I like the black, black is ideal for me, but I can cope with grey! The bright colours are less my thing.

As you can see they only have thin boards which we would suggest are not stout enough for the tanks , particularly if they are exposed to water drips etc, so would replace them with plywood and we again woud suggest 18mm to stand the test of time.
You might be able to use the boards supplied by screwing on battens to the underside to add strength, though hard to say without seeing them first hand.

I'm not doubting your assessment here, but can you explain how/why a shelf rated to hold a specific weight can't actually hold that weight? Other than water drips, is it due to the way weight distribution works with tanks, or something else?

I'm now trying to work out whether the cost of replacement shelving and waterproofing varnish outweighs the cost of just getting the all-metal ones - and again, I don't have a garden or workshop space for doing this kind of DIY stuff, and I anticipate that treating the wood (or MDF) would take up a lot of my living space for a day or two, which doesn't really appeal 😅 But if it's a really significant saving then I'll do it! 18mm plywood looks pretty spendy, though, unless I'm looking at the wrong places.

So I think this one is still my front runner, unless there's an all-metal one that comes in matte black!

 

[mrhoyo]

Thanks, it's really good to know you've got positive personal experience with it AND a recommendation from a professional! How long have you had yours up and running? And thank you for the specifics on what kind of plywood to replace with.

Just had a further look at the Tufferman website and found these ones - all metal! I'm really surprised their weight limit is so much lower than the closest equivalent MDF ones - is it just because of the difference in dimensions, or is the metal actually weaker than MDF or plywood?

Since about October I think.

I'd imagine the metal shelves incorporate the front rails and are of a thinner gauge material. If you look closely the rails on the 600kg one appear to be taller and a slightly different shape. I'm not an engineer but that will affect the loading somehow.

Photo below of when I'd just set it up.

 

[mrhoyo]

I think all the units linked on here can be split into that horizontal configuration, they just don't all display it as prominently in the images - but it's there if you scroll



Yeah, I linked to G-Rack in my first post in this thread! I was uncertain because I felt suspicious of the MDF. But it seems increasingly like treating or replacing MDF is a given, unless I get the all-metal Storalex ones from Tufferman. I like the black, black is ideal for me, but I can cope with grey! The bright colours are less my thing.



I'm not doubting your assessment here, but can you explain how/why a shelf rated to hold a specific weight can't actually hold that weight? Other than water drips, is it due to the way weight distribution works with tanks, or something else?

I'm now trying to work out whether the cost of replacement shelving and waterproofing varnish outweighs the cost of just getting the all-metal ones - and again, I don't have a garden or workshop space for doing this kind of DIY stuff, and I anticipate that treating the wood (or MDF) would take up a lot of my living space for a day or two, which doesn't really appeal 😅 But if it's a really significant saving then I'll do it! 18mm plywood looks pretty spendy, though, unless I'm looking at the wrong places.

So I think this one is still my front runner, unless there's an all-metal one that comes in matte black!

The shelf ratings will be for a uniform distributed load I.e. your 600kg is spread evenly over the entire shelf. It's very unlikely but due to your tanks being smaller than the shelf and the shelf rating being based on the bearers below it rather than the thin MDF deck there's a chance they'd disintegrate if wet through and your tanks come crashing down between the supports if not set up properly.

 

[dino21]

Its all about having and keeping a flat surface for the tank and its mat, be it the thin modern foams or thicker polystyrene.
Those MDF sheets will support that weight, but over time they will bow and the slightest moisture will cause any open area ( not sealed with varinish etc) to swell.
Think those metal shelves , though well able to take that weight feel sure they will naturally bow ?? and that could crack a full tank

Depending on the size of rack you buy, a sheet of 18mm ply from B&Q (£40) which should produce around 6 shelves, you can use the racks to hold them while the paint or varnish dries, many coatings can dry in a couple hours.
However, without seeing the racks in detail not sure if 18mm ply will fit and hold neatly in them, think @mrhoyo should be able to clarify things there with his rack.

 

[mrhoyo]

Its all about having and keeping a flat surface for the tank and its mat, be it the thin modern foams or thicker polystyrene.
Those MDF sheets will support that weight, but over time they will bow and the slightest moisture will cause any open area ( not sealed with varinish etc) to swell.
Think those metal shelves , though well able to take that weight feel sure they will naturally bow ?? and that could crack a full tank

Depending on the size of rack you buy, a sheet of 18mm ply from B&Q (£40) which should produce around 6 shelves, you can use the racks to hold them while the paint or varnish dries, many coatings can dry in a couple hours.
However, without seeing the racks in detail not sure if 18mm ply will fit and hold neatly in them, think @mrhoyo should be able to clarify things there with his rack.

If cut to the same size as the MDF an 18mm shelf will sit proud by approx. 12mm or a full 18mm if on top of the MDF. With mine I've made the shelves oversized by 20mm each side and fit the on top of the MDF and rails but it does require some cutting to notch around the posts.

 

[UrbanDryad]

Thanks so much for the explanations and information, both of you; it being about maintaining perfect flatness to avoid cracks makes a lot of sense.

@mrhoyo What was the thinking behind fitting it on top of the MDF rather than replacing the MDF entirely?

 

[UrbanDryad]

Since about October I think.

I'd imagine the metal shelves incorporate the front rails and are of a thinner gauge material. If you look closely the rails on the 600kg one appear to be taller and a slightly different shape. I'm not an engineer but that will affect the loading somehow.

Photo below of when I'd just set it up.
View attachment 210605

Also, this is a stunning collection of tanks! 😍