Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => DIY => Topic started by: Nick on November 16, 2012, 10:46:16 PM

Title: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Nick on November 16, 2012, 10:46:16 PM: It has been a long time coming but I finally got around to creating the first of two racks in what will be my mini fish room. I used dado cuts for more support and braced the two shelves on the right with an additional board crossing the center of the each.
The rack measures 8ft long and 2ft. deep. The two shelves have an opening of 53" long 2ft deep and 30" high. Basically enough to where I can comfortably fit 55gallon tanks or pretty much any smaller size in several combinations. My goals was to make this thing as versatile and user friendly as possible. I cant stand not having enough room to net fish or fiddle with filters so I made the openings a bit tall. I plan on making another racking with a similar design that will connect to this one perpendicular and off to the right side it will work as an extension of the original.
As a precaution I decided to paint the rack with 3 coats of exterior paint /w primer. This baby should be sealed up pretty good to protect from water damage.
The whole thing is built with 2x4s and plywood for the tops. I also have some of that thick pink styrofoam to help insulate and self level.

(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01055.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01056.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01057.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01053.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01054.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01058.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01059.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01060.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01061.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/DIY%20Fish%20Room/DSC01062.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Regalblue on November 17, 2012, 04:16:28 AM: Lol WTF, Nick?!?!?!?
You trying to make fishroom of the year? :P

Seriously - that is a nice rack system& it looks "built to last"
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Ron on November 17, 2012, 10:28:07 AM: What's the purpose of the OSB?

It also appears you didn't paint the bottom of each leg? IMO that's the second-most likely place for water contact/damage.
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: beach on November 17, 2012, 11:47:42 AM: Looking good!! Cant wait to see the tanks up and running!!! ;D
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Nick on November 17, 2012, 11:48:23 AM: Quote from: Ron on November 17, 2012, 10:28:07 AM
What's the purpose of the OSB?

It also appears you didn't paint the bottom of each leg? IMO that's the second-most likely place for water contact/damage.

lol. The bottoms are actually going to be coated in a rubber coating. Some stuff I used when I was in the oilfield. I forgot to buy it while I was at the store and just got done what I could. Far as the OSB goes...I could have gotten away without because of the Styro but somewhere in my head it felt as if I needed to have it.
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Nick on November 17, 2012, 11:51:03 AM: Quote from: Regalblue on November 17, 2012, 04:16:28 AM
Lol WTF, Nick?!?!?!?
You trying to make fishroom of the year? :P

Seriously - that is a nice rack system& it looks "built to last"

Thanks Blair. "built to last" was as exactly what I was going for.
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Nick on November 25, 2012, 12:56:49 AM: Here is the semi is the finished product. The tropheus you see are my Ilangi fry. Just stripped 11 more today!! I am so unbelievably happy with how this turned out. Now all I need is to ditch the 35g and put a 55 there and a 75 underneath. I see more tropheus in my future.
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/IMG_20121124_225657.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/IMG_20121124_225714.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/IMG_20121124_225722.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/IMG_20121125_000234.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/IMG_20121125_000216.jpg)
I'll post some better. Non profit phone pics latter.
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Steve on November 25, 2012, 01:50:01 AM: Lookin' good, nice and sturdy 8)
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: jcunningham0295 on November 25, 2012, 11:21:42 AM: Nice work Nick, thanks for sharing. This is what I need to get off my butt and do. Always need room for more tanks.....
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: jamarini on January 11, 2013, 11:27:20 AM: Hey Nick, you're off to a fine start on that fishroom. Looking forward to more pics - or an actual visit sometime when I'm over that way. (See you on the 19th). Jim
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Nick on February 10, 2013, 09:30:59 PM: Thanks again. I actually decided to go with only tropheus and maybe....maybe one other type of fish so as of right now I have a 125, 30 cube, 30, and 55 on the rack. Ill get some picks out soon. I love the setup right now. Just stripped some more Ilangi fry two nights ago too.
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: four_by_ken on February 11, 2013, 08:54:54 AM: Nice set up.
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: Nick on February 12, 2013, 12:14:46 AM: I know its nothing like Jeff's room, :'( but it works for me 8) The plan is for using this setup for raising tropheus.
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/nwr2339/IMG_20130211_224531_zps4321b311.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Fish Room Rack (Several Pics and more to come)
Post by: SKISWETPETS on February 12, 2013, 09:35:17 AM: Looking good... Im jealous... My room is still just in bare stud walls... :( :( But at least its started ;)