New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

[sxyatsxty1]

I hope this question is in the right place...lololol

I've just finished building my tri-level tank stand. On the bottom will be the 55, in the middle will be the 30L and 2, 10s on top.
I made it out of treated 2x4s. The 55 will sit on a full shelf whereas the 30L will sit on 2x6s and the 2-10s on 2x4s. I covered the sides/ends with 1" pine boards just so it would look nice in my salon. It's been painted black.I nailed 2" 'slider' feet to the bottom, about every 8-10" which raises it ever so slightly off the floor. The salon was a later addition on the house with a concrete floor which I covered with linoleium (sp?) tile. As we all know, some concrete flooring is not all that level. In my case, it seems pretty level.

My first question is: Should I brace the whole stand to the wall?

Second question: How much room behind the stand should I allow IF I'm going to brace it? I don't have the filters yet for the 55 or the 30L so I don't have anything I can measure.

Third question: The electrical plug which will be behind the stand is on its own circuit. With three tanks going (heaters, lights, filters, air), am I OK?

Fourth question: Do I need my head examined

EC

[CichlidFan]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

I'm not a big fan of stacking tanks, it's a nice way to centralize and display your tanks, but it has a few drawbacks as well.
With that said, I would not secure your stand to the wall.
I would leave at least 5 inches between the wall and the stand.
If your house is newer and your main breaker board in the house is new and all your breakers are in good shape, you should be fine with the load on the single outlet. Keep in mind most of the electrical devices draw 40 watts or less, so unless you have some high wattage lights and big 300 watt heaters, I would not be worried.

This is only my opinion and I am not a electrician or engineer.

CF

[MikeWhoTruong]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

First hi, and welcome ! We have a great community here.

1-If the stand is leveled ie. no rocking motions, no you dont HAVE to but it is optional.

2-Minimum 6inches I would say

3-Not a problem, you could add many more tanks if it is on its own circuit.

4-Your not nearly as bad as some of us.

Hope this helps.

[sxyatsxty1]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

Yea....I know what you're saying about tiered stands.....as I have it set up, I'll always be looking at fish bellies on the top tier!  :wink:
That being said, I have limited space so I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too. 5", uh? Okie dokie....thanks for the measurements.

Thought of another question.......with the 55 and 30L, would it be better? cheaper? to hang a regular florescent light above the tanks than invest in regular lighted tops? Could cover the tanks with plexiglass then, couldn't I?

EC

[MikeWhoTruong]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

CichlidFan is just jelous he doesn't have any rack systems like us cool people !

[sxyatsxty1]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

Hi, Mike......heard lots of nice things about you and your store. Have to make a run to Katy tomorrow to pick up the 55 and would like to stop by and introduce myself but I'm not sure where you are.

On the subject of bracing this tier, would you? I've always had doubles and never worried but three is a bunch and I would rather be safe than wet! :wink:

EC

[fishlady]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

8O ......Mike...... 8O .....MIKE!!!!!....... 8O ....is that you???....sxy....you should feel very very very honored....Mike doesn't post for just anyone....and i mean anyone.... 8O .....j/k.....

Mike my hooney....it's so cool to see you posting on here again...wow....i'm blown away......
by the way.....how are you hooney?....need me to visit ya?.......

sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread sxy....i was just so excited to see my hooney.....

[Zulaab]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

Personally I dont think you should fear having a problem with the fish tanks being stacked.

1.  Like Mike said... if its level and no rocking motion.. no need for an ugly brace on the back
2.  Unlike what the two other say..  6in minimum from the back edge of the tank and the wall on the tank that is closest to the wall (most likely your 55 or your 30) I dont know what your stand looks like and if it already has a 6in gap between the tank and the back of the stand then you dont need to leave space at all.  In short what I am saying is leave a 6in space between the tank and the wall...
3.  Unless you are going to run some high end electrical consuming products then one plug is fine.  I run two on one without a problem and adding two smaller tanks to that plug I would not even worry about it.
4.  Lets see here.. I have a few tanks - a 75,58,40,29,2x20,10...  CF has more than I... and Mike... he doesnt count his tanks anymore...  Head examinations dont need to be worried about until you hit the sweet spot size of 50+  (now I am wondering who has the most tanks at their house)

5.  Lights... go see Mike tomorrow... get him to order you some simple oddysea lights...  put a single strip 4ft over the 55, a single strip 3ft over the 30, and another 3ft light over the two 10g tanks.   (this is believing all your tanks are the std 55 (4ft) 30(3ft) and 2x 10g (20in) tanks correct ?

[sxyatsxty1]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

Looks like someone needs to fit Fishlady with a harness......whoa, kiddo.....    NP, Loretta.

Zulaab....thanks bunches for the insights. I thought maybe strip lights might work, too. Now, if I can just find good filters for the two biggest tanks, I'll be in business....almost.

BTW.....if anyone is thinking about using Rustoleum 'Hammered' paint in the can, PLEASE paint OUTSIDE!!!!!! I'm serious. I was using it to plaint the stand in the salon with the door and windows opened and it made me sick. Could not figure out why I was coughing so bad last night until I brought my dogs in (they stay in the salon at night). About an hour after they in, two of them started barking and carrying on like they needed to go out. Tails were down, ears were laid back and I could not figure out what their problem was. Once outside, they acted fine but refused to come back in. They never do that!!!! Finally had to put them in the kennel. This morning, I got up with a terrible headache and when I offered to let the dogs in while I cleaned up the mess, they just stuck their heads in the door, took a whiff and turned around. Guess it wasn't such a smart idea to use that kind of paint but I liked the effects on my outdoor furniture so decided to use it on the fish rack. To be warned is to be forewarned.

EC

[fishlady]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

i know...i get excited easily these days....

lesson learned about that paint....glad everyone is okay though....

[sxyatsxty1]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

Thanks, Fishlady!

Have another question for all your experts out there..............I'm going to talk to Mike this weekend but want to get a broad view of what everyone thinks, and why.

If I'm going to be setting up three new tanks, I should be prepared for anything to pop up. What would be the recommended water additives, medications, etc. I should have on hand. My plans are to stick pretty close to the Cichlids family with maybe an oddball thrown in here and there and I don't want to discover I have a problem and not be prepared. (Have no plans at this time to include live plants.) Give me a list and give me a readers digest version why I might need it please. Tanks,

EC

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

Clean water
Kordons Amquel+plus or Seachem Prime
Epsom Salt
Kosher Salt
A good heater

All I have ever needed.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

My fish room is a 60 yr old single attached garage so I had problem with the floor being unlevel and the power not being grounded.  In the past it had been converted to a bed room with the addition of insulation and paneling and the removal of the garage door.
I attached power strips on the wall at each bay slightly below the third shelf (6 receptacles & a switch / light) and all of these were added to one new GFI breaker.  I also added a new breaker for ceiling lights and my air blower and utility receptacles for power tools or the vaccuum cleaner, mini refrigerator, etc.  
All of the 4' flourescent shop lights ( 3 fore each bay / one for each shelf) were wired to a single light switch at the Fish room door, but the old incandescent light in the center of the ceiling was left for a night light.
I managed to build shelves and then with a level attach them to the legs in location so that the shelves were level but the legs were different heights.
One set of shelves I made 13" deep & 2 bays wide.   I have 2-40Lg on the floor, 4-20Hg at 30" height & 4-15g at 60" height.  The extra height makes it easy to clean the tanks & catch the fish in the bottom 2 rows, but I need a step ladder to work the top tanks.  If I had it to do over I would  change the height to 0-26-54".  I may soon add a permanant 12" step infront of each bay for better access.
I attached a 2x4x 4" block to the wall stud with 3" screws and attached the back legs to the blocks with 3" screws and then the shelf which was a 2x4 frame with 1/2 plywood deck to the back legs with 3" screws  giving me a total of 3" space behind the shelves for electrical cords and air tubing and the HOB filters that I like to use.  After the front legs were attached and everything was level I painted everything flat white.
One set of shelves I made 21" deep and 3 bays wide.   Also attached to the back wall with blocks, then legs, then shelves, then front legs.   I have storage on the floor, 3-45g (36"x18") tanks at 30" hight and 13- 5 or 10g tanks "end on" on the top row.  Again if I had do-overs I would lower the tanks
The smartest thing I did was add a janatorial deep sink in one corner on the outside wall, install a drain through the wall across the yard and tap into the main water drain.   I also had the plumber tie into the cold cater in the attic and extend the new line to my fish room.  It connects to a 25' retractable hose reel that when extended can reach any tank in the fish room.  Next to the sink & hose reel I have a 55g drum that I use to mix & age water, so I always have treated water at room temperature ready & waiting.  I also have an electric space heater to keep my fish room at 82f.
Murphey's Laws
   LAW#1  if anything can go wrong it will.
   LAW#2  if more than one thing can go wrong, the one that will cause the most dammage will go wrong on your shift.

[sxyatsxty1]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

WOW! Can I come and lookie-see? Sounds like a super set-up. How many tanks do you have in your garage?

Eklikewhoa.....Is that list just for setting up my new tanks or in case of problems?

And what is the majority opinion on Jebo filters? I see some good prices on eBay.


EC

[PlanB]

Re: New Tri-Level Tank Stand.....Need Advice

Jebo is more of budget brand, I had Jebo UV sterilizer that died after a couple of months so I'm not too impressed with them. If you want a good hang on back filter, everybody here likes Aquaclear.