Tale of a Farmer II - Construction of the Fish Rack

[Blue Whale]

Tale of a farmer I
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...le-of-a-farmer

Due to the picture problem in the first thread, a 2nd thread is being constructed in the DIY which is more appropriate to continue the Construction of the Fish Rack.

This is the original rack for my farming use.



Plans to move with the new construction came with the idea of the design, of which after several attempts to find a rack failed. This is the original idea of the rack only to be improved later on as I construct the rack.



So came the materials required as per the original design down to the exact number of usage of bolt and nuts, etc.



The lamps required 6500K E27 type Philip stick type of 8w, 11w and 14w respectively.
Basically you could buy these around 3 for $10 should you get from hardware shop. Per piece might be looking at $3.5 to $4. If you source at NTUC, it is going to cost you anywhere from $4.50 to $6.50 per piece. Hence you have take a seat back and start to walk around. That extra few dollars could allow you to buy more useful stuffs.

[Blue Whale]

The bolts and nuts required. Now here is a point. They do not sell exact, supposed there are 50 nuts, it doesn't mean there are 50 bolts. These are sold by KG. So always have an extra pack on hand. Triangle Fasteners are required for the corners, you could have 2 as the minimum, but 3 is better.



The paint required, you cannot use those for ceiling. These are paint. I bought 1L first. Should need another can later on.



Lamp holders costing $6.50 each, and since I got 10 of them, it cost me $60 after bargain.

[Blue Whale]

First, the dismantle the cut sized metals.



A closer view of the different sizes based on the design.



A simple layout for thought before fastening.



Segregate out the bolts and nuts will allow you to pick up better later on during the construction phase.



Let's start from the bottom. Now the longest pieces would be on the floor.



Okay you cannot tie it really really tight so that you have room to do a bit of adjustments.



This forms the bottom part. It might look odd but you can see why later on.

[Blue Whale]

It is at this very point that I paused and look. The structural integrity of this rack can be further improved. Stopping all works, I quickly went over the hardware shop to get more supporting beams, triangle fasteners and bolt/nuts.



After coming back, the construction phase continues...
Some loosely pre-fab parts for supporting beams.



Okay, you have a rough idea of how it looks now.



With this test, I can see the plank is almost exact. This is the point where I finishes so far. Going to pause for some carbo intake before I continue with the work. Yes the pink color thingy is the T5HO Lighting which I am no longer using at the moment.

[cherabin]

Very nice may I suggest maybe some loctite on the bolts and nuts. If I recall correctly, the blue colour type is that one that can be be unscrewed if needed as opposed to the red colour one.

What do you reckon is the maximum weight loading per shelf? 70kg? Or is that pushing it?

[Blue Whale]

looking at 150-200kg, more practical figure. total 4 tier but looking at min. 12 tanks or maxi. 20 tanks.

[tetrakid]

I do share your concern regarding loading capacity. I had intended to do a rack like this, but for me, it is more to be used as an outer shelving frame within which a separate solid stand will hold my main tank. The angle iron frame itself my not be robust enough for a big tank, though it is sufficient for some nano tanks.

Very nice may I suggest maybe some loctite on the bolts and nuts. If I recall correctly, the blue colour type is that one that can be be unscrewed if needed as opposed to the red colour one.

What do you reckon is the maximum weight loading per shelf? 70kg? Or is that pushing it?

[felix_fx2]

So your using angle slotted bars after all lol.
Got buy the plastic to protect the floor?

Btw, The load for the bars really depends on the placing of the braces. Your's not very long so no direct need for additional brace.

[diazman]

Bro, you placing those Gex type tanks on the racks issit?

[cherabin]

150-200kg is really good! However I read from 'Tale of a farmer I' that the total cost of this rack is $160? Would it make more economical sense, say if I were to custom a 4-tier WI stand, compared to DIY-ing something like this? Labour involved and time taken for the work are considered.

The positive I see about this rack though is the option to be able to dismantle it and re-customize the dimensions, height between tiers etc, when the need or itch arises.

[Blue Whale]

I am doing conservative estimate. The initial cost is $180 + $40 for added support bar, brings the cost to $220. Pre-fab one difficuly to reinforce. I'll break down eletrical cost later on. Added planks prevent cave in as well, structural integrity should be overkill now.

[ciaossu]

wow looks like a big project man =)

[felix_fx2]

The wood is fully laminated? It will likely hold for quite a while unless you let it contact water for too long.

Actually why you never use Styrofoam? The ones eddy recommend...
I have been using 1 that is 5CM thick for 3 years.. (best thing is it was FOC keke) and i think it only have some marks on it.

[tetrakid]

Hi cherabin,

Can you tell more about the WI stand? What is WI? How to custom it?

.... Would it make more economical sense, say if I were to custom a 4-tier WI stand, compared to DIY-ing something like this? Labour involved and time taken for the work are considered.

[stormhawk]

Wrought iron, and you'd need a welder to do this. Customised stands would look nicer no doubt, and probably cost a little more, but an adjustable rack gives more options as compared to a welded rack which is already fixed.

[bossteck]

Didn't really finish reading your initial farmer thread, but I like the 'harnessing the power of the sun' bit... seems like you're going to deviate from that with the construction of the rack, shame.

[tetrakid]

Do you know of any wrought iron fabricator (who specialises in fish tanks) with reasonable charges?

Wrought iron, and you'd need a welder to do this. Customised stands would look nicer no doubt, and probably cost a little more, but an adjustable rack gives more options as compared to a welded rack which is already fixed.

[felix_fx2]

Didn't really finish reading your initial farmer thread, but I like the 'harnessing the power of the sun' bit... seems like you're going to deviate from that with the construction of the rack, shame.

I have been trying to poison people to again pray to the sun god. but blue whale got the E27 posion instead...
eric want to join me be gardener? i got 4 pots already. (but we have to start a new thread so his led farm doesn't OT)

[Blue Whale]

So your using angle slotted bars after all lol.
Got buy the plastic to protect the floor?

Btw, The load for the bars really depends on the placing of the braces. Your's not very long so no direct need for additional brace.

Ordered but he no stock. Waiting. 4.
Extra Bracing Plus wooden plank will suffice. : > Overkill design.

Bro, you placing those Gex type tanks on the racks issit?

I am dreaming of a 3ft but maybe put it off first..:P Yes Gex M Size under consideration. Flicker mind Flicker mind...maybe 1 x 2ft first.

Didn't really finish reading your initial farmer thread, but I like the 'harnessing the power of the sun' bit... seems like you're going to deviate from that with the construction of the rack, shame.

Wah....I did not know I got a fan over here ^^ 3 years back. --" That was before my sister move in with her kids, so no space...shelved....I have been dreaming of having a Solar System for more than 10 years. Even my FB have the concept plan documented. Nevertheless, I did deploy one. A Solar Ionizer which do not contain battery and it does it's job, even with the 6500K Light set, it continues to operate. No battery means no maintenance.

I have been trying to poison people to again pray to the sun god. but blue whale got the E27 posion instead...
eric want to join me be gardener? i got 4 pots already. (but we have to start a new thread so his led farm doesn't OT)

Ooo....I do have LED Lights like a florescent lamp...want me to deploy? Heh Heh....

So you all ready to see some pictures? Or should I hold back? The rack is not fully operationable yet.

[stormhawk]

Ted, I don't know of any, but I believe the tank makers can do such stands for a reasonable price. The problem with wrought iron is that they will rust after some time. You can get standard sized wrought iron racks from the LFS I think. During the luohan phase, these racks were very common.