Fishtal's Breeding Room

Shelf height is adjustable, but  not shelf width or length.  When one is limited on space, as Tal and I are, you can't beat 2x4s for a custom fitting.  You also can't beat the price. If you already have a triangle square, circular saw, hammer, drill, etc. the cost of supplies is about $50 for a really high capacity system rack.

Watch out for those... a friend just got a couple for his store, put 3x 20g on them, and they are bowing!!!!
 
I have the same ones with 4x the weight on them, and they are not bowing... same brand, just bought a year prior. (build looks the same as well?)

Yeah I've noticed there can be some "differences" between batches.  I ordered some 30" direct (through lowes) and they are rock solid.  Got two of the above racks and one of the 'arms' was warped.  Just swapped it out at the store for a new one.  Right now I've got a 100 on a top shelf, a 150 on the bottom with no issues.  Another one has 60 gallons total on top/middle and a 75 on the bottom, again no issues.  
 
If I'd be taking them back if ~600lbs is making them bow, they are rated for 2000 a shelf!

So, I've been pondering the new space and how I want to utilize it. It is 6'x3' so I'm planning two levels of 20Gs. I could fit six on each level if I squeeze them. Each tank is 12" wide and I'd need a couple more inches for the wood the stand is made out of.
 
I've also been considering plumbing each level into its own sump in an effort to provide some extra security against system failure/loss. Of course, this will double the cost of pumps and such...
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Don't squeeze the tanks too tight.  Glass tanks bow a bit when full of water,and you don't want them pressing against your uprights.

When I used the word "squeeze" I meant the rack might be a bit more than 6' wide and need a bit more room , not placing the tanks tightly together. I'll plan it out more but may just go with 5 on each level.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

If you want to cheat on the width of the uprights cut plywood into strips and glue the together. You can get the same strength of a 2x with half the width

Here is a concept I have for the new system:
http://i99.photobucket.co...ing%20Stuff/img044.jpg
Not complete, of course. 
 
The idea is to use 2x6's for the top level to avoid using vertical supports that would be in the way of the middle level.
 
Originally I wanted 6 tanks, per level but it's looking like I can only fit 5.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

2x6's would be just fine over a 6' span without a vertical middle brace.  You're talking at most what 1000lbs? Maybe 1200?  I can't count the number of big tanks (150G+) that all run 2x6 over 6' without a vertical middle support.  Just slap a decent sized piece of ply on top of the 2x6 and you're fine.
 
Now get it built!

Just for you, Brett:

 
$28 in lumber should do the trick.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

woot!

Wood all set up to be painted:

 
Since the broodstock system is blue I figured the grow out system should be...
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

OOOOOH, I like it!

Nice.
My 4yrs old girl wants my grow out system to be PINK. LOL
 

 

Have you thought about having tanks end on Tal? I know in my setup it really made a difference to the number of tanks that I could fit in.

Yup, all of my tanks are on end.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Thanks to help from Joe the new rack was completed today.  
 
Beginning...

 
Almost installed...

 
All done...

 
Thanks Joe!!!
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Sweet.  I love the colors.  They were my favorite colors as a little girl in the 60's.

Where are all the tanks and plumbing?

like Jish said... deposit... NO refunds  -thejrc

Looking good!  I think the 2x6's I suggested will work just fine.

-Adam

Thanks! Tanks and pvc will be here this week, I think. Ordered bulkheads earlier. Need a new hole saw too.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Picked up PVC this week:
 

 
PVC fittings layout:

 
6 new tanks in the car:


 
and in the garage waiting too be drilled:

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Excellent progress Tal!  This is the part I really dislike though...drilling tanks and plumbing sucks!  Hopefully you will have some water running by Monday? 

Thanks! No pump until Tuesday so no water until then.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Seven tanks drilled and ready to go.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Plumbing has begun...
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Tal, are you painting the tanks?

Don't let fear and common sense stop you! =]

No, these are all grow out tanks so I don't see a need. Not painting them will allow more light to enter so I don't think I'll need extra light.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

I painted the bottoms on mine. I thinkthe fish feel more secure, and I can see the schmutz.  Nice system, Tal!

How about just the back and bottoms then so it looks perdy? 

Don't let fear and common sense stop you! =]

Yeah, I've been thinking about painting the bottoms after looking at the pics.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Well, did you paint the bottoms yet?  Your goal is to finish the bottom level before June 1st.

like Jish said... deposit... NO refunds  -thejrc

It was too hot to get anything done today. 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Plumbing mostly completed. Just waiting for the pump and sump so I can finish it up.
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Getting used to the white PVC. Not painting it this time. I spent a bit more time making sure the holes were drilled in roughly the same spot and all the drain pipes were measured so they would be vertical. They are still adjustable though.
 

 
Return line is just resting on the tanks for now. They will be attached to the frame tomorrow.
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

lookin' good Tal!

Thanks, Matt. Got the plumbing finished today. Just have to hook up the pump and add water.
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

Tal are you planning on adding a skimmer or anything to the sump for filtration?

I'm avoiding a skimmer. I want to use as little electricity and equipment as possible. I'm going to start with a filter sock and a K1 reactor. May add an ATS in the future if it looks like I need to.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

The skimmer in my broodstock system doesn't seem to do much.  It is a good quality skimmer being a EuroReef RS-180.  I wonder if the low SG of 1.020 is a factor?  I don't think skimmerless is such a bad idea! 

Don't let fear and common sense stop you! =]