Aquarium Shelving: A Guide to Steel Fish Tank Racking

Introduction

Aquarium racks are a crucial component of any aquarium setup, providing a sturdy and organized way to house multiple tanks. Racks not only maximize your space utilisation, they also ensure that your tanks are safely and efficiently arranged. With the right aquarium rack, you can transform a cluttered space into a well-organized haven for your aquatic life.

What is an Aquarium Rack?

An aquarium rack is a shelving system designed specifically for holding aquarium tanks. It typically consists of multiple shelves, each capable of supporting a significant amount of weight, and is often made of durable materials such as steel or wood.

Aquarium racks come in a variety of sizes and configurations, ranging from simple, single-tank setups to complex, multi-tank systems.

Benefits of Using Aquarium Racks

Using an aquarium rack offers several benefits, including:

• Increased Storage Capacity: Aquarium racks allow you to house multiple tanks in a single unit, making it ideal for breeders, hobbyists, and retailers. This means you can keep more tanks in a limited space, optimizing your setup.

• Improved Organization: Aquarium racks keep your tanks organized and easily accessible, making maintenance and water changes a breeze. With everything in its place, you can quickly attend to your tanks without any hassle.

• Enhanced Safety: Aquarium racks provide a stable and secure environment for your tanks, reducing the risk of accidents and damage. The sturdy construction ensures that your tanks are well-supported.

• Customization: Aquarium racks can be tailored to meet your specific needs, with options for adjustable shelves, customizable layouts, and more. This flexibility allows you to adapt your setup as your needs change.

Maximise Space and Efficiency with Steel Shelving

If you’re an aquarium enthusiast or a retailer looking for a way to house multiple fish tanks, then a fish tank racking system is a must have. Steel shelving is an integral part of an effective rack system for aquariums, providing a solid, long-lasting setup that maximizes space, stability of the tanks, and maintenance.

This guide will cover the benefits of using steel shelving for fish tanks, what to look for when you search for a racking system that suits your requirements and some setup tips to get the most out of your aquarium shelving.

Why Steel Shelving for Aquarium Racks?

Aquariums, especially when full of water, are heavy. Steel shelving provides the durability and weight bearing strength to safely hold multiple aquariums. Here’s why steel shelving is an ideal choice for fish tank racking:

1. Massive Weight Capacity: Each litre of water weighs 1 kilogram, that’s a lot of weight with larger tanks. High quality steel shelving can hold multiple glass tanks, it’s safer and more reliable.

2. Durability and Rust Resistance: Stainless or powder coated steel shelving is corrosion resistant, which is important when water and humidity is present. This means less replacements and more stable tank conditions.

3. Adjustable and Customisable: Many steel shelving units have adjustable racks so you can position each shelf at the optimal height for different tank sizes and configurations. This allows you to adapt the shelving to your needs over time.

4. Space Efficiency: Vertical shelving allows you to stack tanks, free up floor space and maximise the number of tanks you can have in a given area.

What to Look for When Choosing Shelving for Fish Tanks

Choosing the right aquarium rack can be a daunting task, but by considering a few key factors, you can make an informed decision. Here are some things to consider:

1. Weight Capacity

Calculate the total weight of each tank, including aquariums, when full of water, substrate, and any additional equipment. Add a buffer for any additional accessories or adjustments then compare it to the shelf’s weight limit. Choose shelving with a higher capacity than your heaviest load for extra peace of mind.

2. Material and Construction

Look for racks made from durable materials, such as steel or wood, and consider the construction quality. High-quality materials and solid construction ensure longevity and stability.

3. Dimensions and Depth

Make sure the shelving is the same depth or deeper than your aquariums to match their dimensions. The tanks should sit on each shelf without overhang to prevent tipping. Measure the height between shelves to ensure there is enough room for tank maintenance and lighting.

4. Airflow and Ventilation

Steel shelving with open backs and sides allows for airflow which can help reduce heat and humidity, which is crucial for maintaining healthy water conditions. For some fish species and tank setups, ventilation plays a part in maintaining ideal tank conditions.

5. Corrosion Resistance

Look for powder coated or stainless steel shelving options, especially in humid environments, as they are rust resistant. This is important for long term use as rust can weaken the structure and compromise the tanks' safety.

6. Adjustability

Adjustable shelving allows you to reconfigure the system if your needs change, such as accommodating different sizes and configurations of aquariums, upgrading to larger tanks, or adding equipment. Many steel shelving units have adjustable options, so you can adjust the height of each shelf as needed. Adjustable racks offer flexibility for future changes or expansions.

7. Filtration Options

Consider a rack with built-in filtration options or the ability to integrate external filtration systems. Efficient filtration is crucial for maintaining healthy tank conditions.

8. Maintenance

Consider a rack with easy-to-clean surfaces and accessible shelves to make maintenance a breeze. Easy access to each tank simplifies water changes, cleaning, and feeding.

By considering these factors and choosing the right aquarium rack, you can create a thriving aquatic environment that meets your specific needs and provides a safe and healthy home for your fish.

How to Set Up Steel Shelving for Fish Tank Racking

Once you have your shelving, a few setup tips will help with the stability and maintenance of your racking system:

Fix Racking to the Wall or Floor

To prevent tipping especially if you’re stacking multiple heavy tanks attach the shelving to the wall. Use heavy duty wall anchors and brackets that can take the weight load.

Weight Distribution

Place the heaviest tanks on the bottom shelves and lighter tanks on the top shelves to lower the centre of gravity.

Waterproof Each Shelf

Place a waterproof liner or mat under each tank to protect the shelving from any leaks or spills. This adds an extra layer of corrosion protection.

Space for Electrical Equipment

Make sure you have easy access to power points for filtration, heating and lighting systems. Consider using cable management to keep your cords tidy and out of the water.

Maintenance Plan

Arrange your tanks so you have a clear path to each tank. This will make water changes, cleaning and feeding more efficient and less stressful for the fish.

Steel Shelving for Fish Tank Racking

Falcon Shelving has a range of heavy duty, longspan shelving that works well as aquarium shelving (see image below).

 

 

Features

Our heavy duty shelving (tri-coloured) has a weight capacity of 1,200Kg per bay or 300Kg per shelf for a 4 shelf unit. While our standard duty (white - see below) range has capacities of 800Kg and 600Kg per bay.

 

 

The heavy duty range comes in heights of 2.0m, 2.4m and 2.7m high. The shelves are 600mm deep and come in widths of 1.0m, 1.5m, 2.0m and 2.5m.

The shelves are fully adjustable and you can specify how many shelves you need. This means you can customise your shelves to accommodate your tanks and equipment.

 

 

Our rack systems are designed to be attached together, so you can create connected rows of shelving for easy access.

The shelving is made from quality steel and powder coated for corrosion resistance. So your investment will last.

Our shelves are easy to assemble without tools or bolts or brackets. This makes them easy to adjust as your needs change over time or to dissassemble and transport if you need to move to a new location.

Our shelving is open on the front, back and sides for good ventilation and flexibility when locating cables and equipment.

The footplates of our heavy duty shelving has pre-drilled holes so that the units can be fixed to the floor for extra safety and stability. In addition, the round locking pin holes in the uprights (see image below) can be used to attach the units to the wall.

 

 

We sell component parts, so if you need an extra shelf or another upright to reconfigure your setup, then that's not a problem.

Summary

Choosing the right rack system for aquariums is crucial for a safe, tidy, and efficient setup. Steel shelving for fish tank racking is a great way to go. It provides peace of mind knowing your tanks are secure and your space is easy to get to and maintain.

You can explore our range of heavy duty steel shelving here.