Aquarium Rack Setup Journal!

[stormhawk]

VS, my budget unknown. Just taking ideas for now until the flat is ready. Since IKEA switches their product lines every year or two, this rack system may not be available by next year or later. Still a good idea worth taking a look at.

cherabin, my bad. I thought the shop at Serangoon North was still there. Goes to show how long I've not been to that corner of the island.

Urban, I have the old wooden heavy duty IVAR series rack from IKEA. Was great for smaller tanks with the cross-piece at the back for support but for those without the cross-piece, the bowing on the wood would be showing real quick, especially with a 2 ft tank lying on any of the platforms. I usually have doubts over the weight limits given for IKEA products.

[VSGenesis]

Hi storm,

Maybe you wanna look at this as an option.
http://hisstoryimmortalised.blogspot...ding-rack.html
http://www.howellunited.com.sg/shelvingracking_1.htm

Price varies depending on what you want. The one I got is below $200. 400kg / level.

PS: Did you change number again or you're busy working overdrive to save up? LOL.

[Merviso]

hahaha... We are here to share ideas and learn from each other anyway, and I seriously like your stylish solution very much ... Cheers!

[Urban Aquaria]

Urban, I have the old wooden heavy duty IVAR series rack from IKEA. Was great for smaller tanks with the cross-piece at the back for support but for those without the cross-piece, the bowing on the wood would be showing real quick, especially with a 2 ft tank lying on any of the platforms. I usually have doubts over the weight limits given for IKEA products.

Yeah, i know exactly what you mean... i have a few sets of the IVAR wooden shelves in one of my rooms too, and even though i only use those wooden shelves to hold books and toys, they still gradually bow under the load after a year. I guess they are more suitable as display shelving for light weight items.

The only IKEA shelving and tables that i got so far that don't bow under load over time are those that are either made of full metal or have a metal reinforcement base, but those are usually abit more expensive.

hahaha... We are here to share ideas and learn from each other anyway, and I seriously like your stylish solution very much ... Cheers!

Truth be told, one of the reasons why i got the stainless steel shelving was because of its looks... i managed to convince my better half that i'll be using it for the kitchen, but quietly shift it instead to use as aquarium rack.

[stormhawk]

Well, the rack is aesthetically pleasing no doubt about that. Since it's stainless steel, it's even more useful, especially minus the gaps found on other racks. Sometime back, I remember coming across this smaller version of the IVAR series. The platforms were held up by metal dowels. When I saw the size of the dowels and the thickness of the wood, I decided against getting it.

I found this similar rack system called Hyllis. The page says it's made of galvanised steel. Measurements given was W x D x H (60 cm x 27 cm x 140 cm).
http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/10172897/

For that price at $19.90, real cheap as compared to the Limhamn series.

@VS, my number hasn't changed.

[VSGenesis]

Truth be told, one of the reasons why i got the stainless steel shelving was because of its looks... i managed to convince my better half that i'll be using it for the kitchen, but quietly shift it instead to use as aquarium rack.

LOL!! Well done here!

Weight has been an issue with Ikea products. It was never intended to be use to have such load on it. No harm trying just monitor for any warping. I saw another thread where another fellow hobbyist use an ikea furniture (made of wood) It looks good actually but since its wood, should treat it.

If this works, it'll be another option for other hobbyist to use.

[Urban Aquaria]

I found this similar rack system called Hyllis. The page says it's made of galvanised steel. Measurements given was W x D x H (60 cm x 27 cm x 140 cm).
http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/10172897/

For that price at $19.90, real cheap as compared to the Limhamn series.

Actually i also have a set of the Hyllis shelving too, i use it in my corridor storage alcove... so i can do a comparison.

Its a very light weight shelving, easy to carry and shift around.

Its made of galvanized steel (which is a cheaper but thinner coating process), although it is also water resistant to some extent, its still not as water resistant as stainless steel... even with no water source on it, my Hyllis shelf still has some oxidization and rust developing over time on the edges, probably due to the effects of ambient humidity.

The galvanized steel is also less attractive as it has a rough unfinished surface (kinda reminds me of those outdoor zinc roof panels) and the shelf and frame edges are all sharp (not rounded), i had to stick electrical tape over the sharp edges to to prevent accidental scrapes.

Each of the shelves are attached to the frame with small exposed metal screws, and the shelves just single flat metal sheets bent on the sides (not folded and welded).

In addition, as it is much shallower and taller than the Limhamn shelving, and doesn't have a cross brace, the whole structure is quite wobbly, so if you are putting heavy items on it, you need to bolt it to the wall or floor so that it doesn't fall over if someone accidentally pull on it (i use the bolting kit from Ikea to secure it to the back wall).

Overall, its definitely much cheaper and if reinforced/secured properly (and make sure to wipe away any water spills), i think it could also be used for small tanks too (if design and looks isn't a high priority).

[aquarius]

Wow... nice, clean and neat looking rack! But to use it for aquarium use especially if you're having a 2ft tank sitting on it is hmmmm......

Let me share my take on using Ikea shelving units as fish tank racks since i've also noticed from some other threads people doing so. When you're buying anything from Ikea, do note that Ikea's stuff or in this case shelving units, are manufactured using just the right amount of materials to serve the intended purpose that it was built for. No more, no less..... More material = wastage = less profits for the company, less material = the product's quality is compromised and all these are reflected in the price of the product. For those of you who have bought or bothered to read the product details of bookcases would know that the max weight that each self can hold on a Billy bookcase is very different from another similar looking one which is much cheaper. Using the cheapo bookcase for heavy stuff is asking for the shelves to warp. Another eg. would be people putting a TV (cathode ray tube type) on top of the chest of drawers, which later the top drawer cannot open properly becos the wood on the drawer unit warp. All these things happens because we misuse the intended purpose of the product. To further elaborate, those of you who have ever fixed an Ikea dinning set will know that the underside of the table or chair is not painted because it cannot be seen, so the company see no reason why it should spend extra money on having it painted. For a company to go to such an extent as to stinge on such little things as a paint job would make me think twice about using their products other than for it's intended purpose.

The racks you have are clearly not made for the purpose that you're using it for, but since you've already done your stress tests on the shelving unit, i presume it should be fine but i hope people who are contemplating using ikea shelving units for aquarium use to give it more thought before buying them for aquarium use Or give more margin for error when using them since a fully loaded tank is very heavy and also you need to take into consideration the long-term usage. Taking the trouble to fix up the selving unit and doing up the tank and later using it for only a year or two before having to dismantle it due to problems is IMHO a hassle. Some things are better to play it safe and to "Do It Once and Do It Right". At least you'll have peace of mind instead of having to occasionally check on the integrity of the product.

Anyway, all the best and i'll be looking forward to seeing your scape!

[felix_fx2]

25KG load? For that smaller tank on it is ok. Should not exceed the load limit and it is balanced since TS is putting the loan at the center.

I am using some ikea furniture in my house, it's suppose to take heavy load (Gorm series).

[Urban Aquaria]

25KG load? For that smaller tank on it is ok. Should not exceed the load limit and it is balanced since TS is putting the loan at the center.

I am using some ikea furniture in my house, it's suppose to take heavy load (Gorm series).

Yeah, that was one of the considerations when i chose the 48cm low tank, i weighed it filled with water up to 1-2cm below the brim (my usual tank setup water level) and it worked out to around 22-23kg in total... so its still within the recommended load limit for the middle shelf.

I guess 2 or more smaller 20-25cm nano tanks could also be positioned side-by-side as well, if their weight are evenly distributed. Could be used as a breeder or betta rack too.

[Urban Aquaria]

Btw, a friend who visited my place today and saw my rack setup remarked that it reminded him of ADA garden stands, so i goggled it and found some interesting close-up photos of the ADA stand design in this thread:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...6&postcount=15

That example is a 90cm wide/3ft stand... which is designed to hold an ADA 90p tank, that tank is 90cm x 45cm x 45cm = 182+ litres, so with the weight of the tank, probably holding up close to 200kg when filled.

Seems its also made with 2 side frames with a top shelf attached with bolts, i noticed its cross-brace is situated in the middle (not the back), then i realized its because it doesn't have any bottom shelf to create more contact points to stabilize the whole structure, therefore in that design, the middle cross brace is the main component that maintains core stability in that entire stand structure. Quite interesting.

[mincedmeat]

Yeah, that was one of the considerations when i chose the 48cm low tank, i weighed it filled with water up to 1-2cm below the brim (my usual tank setup water level) and it worked out to around 22-23kg in total... so its still within the recommended load limit for the middle shelf.

I guess 2 or more smaller 20-25cm nano tanks could also be positioned side-by-side as well, if their weight are evenly distributed. Could be used as a breeder or betta rack too.

might be nice to have a betta tank with a scape..could be quite cool!

[BFG]

Saw the tank at both well known lfs at Yishun around mid afternoon today. Aquastar has 6 when I left and the other lfs I saw only 1. Price is less than $100.

[Urban Aquaria]

Saw the tank at both well known lfs at Yishun around mid afternoon today. Aquastar has 6 when I left and the other lfs I saw only 1. Price is less than $100.

Cool! Btw, were those LFS also willing to sell the tank on its own, without the pre-packaged pump and clip-on light?

I'm now thinking of getting another one too.

[BFG]

Didn't ask. Was hitching a ride with a colleague.

[limz_777]

nice optiwhite tank , they should just sell it plain without ios and stand

[Urban Aquaria]

nice optiwhite tank , they should just sell it plain without ios and stand

Totally agree!

When i got my tank, i mentioned to the staff at Rainbow Aquarium that they should consider making them without the IOS compartment and feet, as many aquascapers and shrimp keepers would be very keen on it too.

[BFG]

Maybe if there is a demand, then they could do it. Maybe a custom order of 10 or 20 tank would the manufacturer do it, who knows?!? Anyone knows if this tank is manufactured locally?

[Urban Aquaria]

Maybe if there is a demand, then they could do it. Maybe a custom order of 10 or 20 tank would the manufacturer do it, who knows?!? Anyone knows if this tank is manufactured locally?

I guess it should be possible to do a bulk order and special request to omit the IOS compartment and plastic feet.

Imho, it should be even cheaper as there is less work involved to build the tank too.

If anyone is planning to do a mass order, i'd be keen on one... saves time and hassle to remove the parts.

[mincedmeat]

Or you might as well get a custom crystal glass tank done with one of the tank makers. I think they should be able to mimic the dimensions, and might even give you a better rate.