Weight Distribution of Aquarium on Shelving

[MandaPanda]

Hi, I'm new here so correct me in if I'm in the wrong area to post this:

I have been fish keeping for about a year now with my 10 gallon tank and I have decided I want to expand and add a larger 50 gallon. The tank is a 50 gallon lowboy aquarium to house neolamprologus multifasciatus. The dimensions are 48in wide, 24in deep and 10in tall. I believe I've worked it out to estimate that the tank should weigh around 650ish pounds.

I am interested in buying a garage shelving unit to hold this tank on with a safety factor of 3, meaning each shelf can hold 2000lbs. The problem I run into though is that most the shelving I find is either the exact size of my tank (meaning it may not fit) or 72in wide. The catch is that the 2000lb per shelf capacity only works when the weight is evenly distributed across the entire shelf, and my tank will only be 48 inches.

I was wondering:

1. How would I evenly distribute this weight across the entire width?
2. Is my estimate for the weight of the tank accurate?
3. is a factor of safety of 3 enough?

 

[fishhead0103666]

I have two 6' x 2' racks and on one of them I have two 75 gallon tanks. 4' x 1.5'. All I do is put a piece of ply wood on top of the shelf, make sure it's level then I'm good to go. The rack has been set up for over a year now and it is still going strong.

 

[MandaPanda]

I have two 6' x 2' racks and on one of them I have two 75 gallon tanks. 4' x 1.5'. All I do is put a piece of ply wood on top of the shelf, make sure it's level then I'm good to go. The rack has been set up for over a year now and it is still going strong.

Okay cool! If you don't mind me asking, what brand did you end up buying? I was looking into getting a gladiator

 

[fishhead0103666]

Okay cool! If you don't mind me asking, what brand did you end up buying? I was looking into getting a gladiator

That's actually the brand I have the 75 gallons on, I would say it is a heavily built rack, the only way you could get a stronger one is to get an industrial one or have one welded together for you.

 

[DN328]

That's actually the brand I have the 75 gallons on, I would say it is a heavily built rack, the only way you could get a stronger one is to get an industrial one or have one welded together for you.

I have the gladiator cabinets and have seen the shelf. They look attractive as far as garage shelves go and look very well built.

 

[MandaPanda]

Thanks you two, I feel much better in purchasing this unit now ?

 

[fishguy1978]

Check out this thread for store bought:

Ideas for an all Amphilophus tank....

Been thinking of trying an amphilophus tank. Currently have 3 hoga at about 5" that are being raised out. They were little jerks when first put in the tank but have settled down now. Looking to maybe keep just one of these and add some 'midevil' mutts or other amphs. Tank has some current...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

If you're handy double stack 55g. I used 2x4 for cross braces. With a 75g I would use 2x6.

 

[fishhead0103666]

Check out this thread for store bought:

Ideas for an all Amphilophus tank....

Been thinking of trying an amphilophus tank. Currently have 3 hoga at about 5" that are being raised out. They were little jerks when first put in the tank but have settled down now. Looking to maybe keep just one of these and add some 'midevil' mutts or other amphs. Tank has some current...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Ahh I was thinking about that thread this moring. Dewalt is a good brand for racks, if I hadn't gone with gladiator I would have gone with dewalt. DMD123 Care to comment on those lovely racks of yours?

 

[MandaPanda]

I was considering going with dewalt, but the set up seems a bit more involved than the gladiators. However if they're better quality or more stable I may change my mind

 

[fishhead0103666]

I can not speak for dewal but I can tell you that my gladiator is nice and sturdy. With my 75 gallons on there I feel confident that I could literally throw a 100 pound person against ad not worry about it budging an inch. I weigh 215 and I would feel safe if I fell backwards into it full force.