#244: Timelapse Build of 40 Gallon Breeder Aquarium Rack - DIY Wednesday

This is a time lapse construction video of the first aquarium rack in my basement fish room. It took weeks of planning and careful thought before I landed on this design. Important to note: there is 12 inches of air space above each tank, which is just enough to fit a 5 gallon bucket into the tank - and is just the right amount of space to work comfortably inside the aquarium with your arms. Also important to note: don't span more than 4 feet without a leg, otherwise your stand could bow under the weight. Equally important to note: if you are using acrylic aquariums, add a plywood bottom to support the entire foot of the tank.

To complete this project (2 racks) you will need:
-6 pounds of 2.5" deck screws
-8x styrofoam 37.5"x19"x1"
-8x punched flat bar steel ~54.75"
-27x 2x4x8ft kiln-dried lumber:
-12x full height uprights: 52.5" (cut a 30" piece on this board too)
-12x leg uprights: 15.5"
-12x second tier interrupted uprights: 30" (cut from board above)
-8x horizontal beams : 85.75"
-16x full length spacers: 15-7/8"
-8x short spacers: 12-7/8"
-4x optional beams to tie stands together: 44-5/8"

Music attributed to Kevin MacLeod under Creative Commons.

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[thecrazylineman]

the first 50 seconds would have saved me hours of researching. if you return, thanks for this!

[darrelladams]

I like your attention to detail. It's actually built better than some so-called professionals would do.

[kgnc]

You did a very good job and the cross brace is a good idea. Better to be safe. 

[catfishcave]

Nice to see someone build something that doesn't rely on deck screws to support the weight. Always have the weight carried via wood to the ground. Also like the cross bracing. Not a big deal in Maine, but in California, the sway is what takes things down in a quake. Overall, excellent job! I'm trying to see if I can convert it to a 3 tier system...

[InfamousAquatics]

daaang this  came out great! Well done

[floridacalvus]

Now that's how you build a tank rack, Awesome job & video !

[PaulsPlantedAquariums]

Definitely over engineered, but I love it, this is my father taught me and this way it is made to last!

[brandonlyautey]

I noticed you have styrofoam underneath your fish tanks wouldn't that cause pressure underneath the bottom glass panel of the tank is the bottom frame sinks into the styrofoam

[Mang]

Looks SOLID! I like how you braced it with the metal straps. Nice job!

[GNJsAquaticNation]

Very well built and looks great. You fish room is really coming along and is going to be fantastic when finished. 

[TreyHensleyPhoto]

Are you sure those are 55 gallon drums? they look like 35 gallon. 

[TreyHensleyPhoto]

This is what I wanna do! Thanks for sharing man! Nice to see your making videos again. 

[jparks]

Ok. You changed to only 2 levels. Your sketchup showed 3 levels. Changing that really limited your number of tanks a lot. But as you found out, you could not have enough access to your tanks with 3 levels.

[KarenDana]

hello 
i saw your episode #118: DIY Aquarium Air Diffuser - . but i cannot find the video of your new idea of the air diffuser you talked at the end of the episode . can you help me please ? thank youuuu

[mokhan]

Hey Greg what grade polystyrene is the best for underneath the tanks or does it not matter 

[gorillalabs]

Is there a thickness on the screws you recommend?

[genealameda]

Excellent build. Any chane you are going to make one of those tanks saltwater?

[JuddSpector]

Greg in your "Parts List" do the 27 (2x4x8's) make up everything else below in the list?

[mvrdamonxy]

Is styrofoam a must can i put plywood?

[theodoreschultz]

Do you have the sketchup for this? I am wanting to so just a half a rack for two tanks.