Fishroom in garage

[PlecoCrazy]

I'm in the stages of planning to move my tanks out of all the rooms of my house to the the garage. I have most of it under control but have an engineering question. The garage slopes slightly from the back of the garage to the front. When building my stands do I just need to make sure the shelves are level or do I need to make the legs and the entire are rack level? Or really any advice on how to proceed.

[Shane]

Any chance to level the floor first? Working on an uneven floor will be very tough.
-Shane

[Jools]

It depends on the length of the tanks your planning to use and also if the run parallel or across the slope and the gradient of the slope itself. Most folks that have serious fishrooms on wooden based flooring have this issue - it can be worked around if levelling the floor isn't an option.

Jools

[PlecoCrazy]

Here is something I did in Visio real quick. The slope is not to scale but just an example. I'm sure the slope is for water run off. The floor is concrete. I was thinking of making each leg slightly longer and just making the shelves level. Since it's concrete I wouldn't have a clue how to make the floor level aside from building one out of wood? Thanks.

[pleco_breeder]

Building the rack fit your slope is going to be the easiest way, but will take a bit of time while fabricating to make sure that everything levels correctly.

If you wanted to fix the floor, it's as simple as pouring a cap over the existing floor. However, it would probably be worth the expense to hire a professional. In order to hold the weight of the tanks without breaking out, you would probably be looking at raising the floor level ~3-4 inches and anchoring the cap to the existing floor. It's a lot of work!!!

Larry

[PlecoCrazy]

Thanks. Kind of what I figured. Sounds like a lot of trial and error but so is keeping fish. Getting the angles right will be tough.

If I were to angle the bottoms of the legs to properly to touch the floor evenly and make sure the shelves are level and straight with with the legs will it still provide the same strength as if the floor were level? I was sure hoping there was an easier way other than testing how precise my carpentry skills are but if it will work and there are no other options then I guess that's way I'll have to go.

I thought about putting concrete on top and leveling it out but I do plan on selling the house someday plus hiring someone to do it I'm sure is not cheap. Not only that but I can already see my wife's face when I tell her I want pour a cap of concrete in our garage

I thought about building a wood floor but wasn't sure if that would be sturdy enough over the long haul. Probably just as much work to do that as it is to deal with getting the legs right. It would require two of these racks so it sure is going to be a lot of work

[pleco_breeder]

Should actually be fairly easy to level the tanks. I would start by checking if the floor is actually flat or has a progressive slope/bow as it gets to the front. If it is flat, but not level, use a string level and figure the total slope of the floor, amount of fall across "x" number of feet. From that, you should be able to use a bit of simple math to figure the amount of difference in each of the legs and number them so they go in the correct place.

If the floor is bowed, the easiest way is going to be bracing the supports in place and using a string level across the top of each shelf to insure that they are level before bracing them.

I would advise framing in the bottom of the rack as it runs along the floor to support the legs, prevent the wood from spreading from weight, and support any small flaws in the angle.

Larry

[MatsP]

As I see it, you don't need to level the floor itself, but you do need to ensure that the tanks are level.

My fishroom floor is far from as unlevel as what you describe, but I basically laid one piece of wood (39 x 97mm, a tad smaller than 2" x 4") flat on the ground and attached the uprights to this. Then place the "along" pieces onto the uprights [these "along" pieces are placed with the 97mm side vertical, to give the full strength]. I make sure the along pieces are level with a spirit level - in both directions. To support the along pieces [and make the whole thing more sturdy], I have a cross-member that the "along" piece lays on, about 45 x 45mm (2" x 2" planed).

The uprights are also attached to wall at the top [in my case, with a cross member and a piece of "along" that goes from one wall to the other, but you could do many other things - but the top certainly needs to be attached in some way, otherwise it gets "wobbly", and wobbly don't mix well with glass (or plastic!) tanks!

From experience: Make sure you leave enough space between each level of shelving - it can be hard enough to catch fish in a tank without having to squeeze between the shelf above and the edge of the tank. I've got about 5-6" "free" space - and I'd be happier with 8" if I had the chance to do it over again.

--
Mats

[L number Banana]

Hi plecocrazy,

You could make a level concrete "platform" for everything to sit on simply by making a box slightly larger than the foot print of the tank stand. Pour in a concrete mix with a high strength mix (like what it used for footings) and use a level tied to a piece of wood that is cut to fit inside the box. Keep wet until cured, voila.

Only thing to keep in mind is to use something to keep the long side of the box from bowing. You can do that with a clip across the top/middle after the leveling is done. A 'wooden saddle' could be used too.

If you don't want it to be permanent, build it on a tarp. It would still be impossible to move after but a sledge/wedge would break it up easily if you needed it gone and the tarp would protect the floor just enough to prevent it from adhering.

A shorter platform could be done the same way with self-leveling concrete and building the box with 2x6's on their flat sides to prevent bowing.

Spray the wood with something like Pam cooking spray first so that they come off easy.

[RickE]

You might find some useful tips for the stands here http://www.tedsfishroom.com/wp/fishroom

[wrasse]

If you don't want it to be permanent, build it on a tarp. It would still be impossible to move after but a sledge/wedge would break it up easily if you needed it gone and the tarp would protect the floor just enough to prevent it from adhering.

My thoughts exactly. Timber frame, wider than the tank stand, line the 'mould', pour a wet concrete mix. Not expensive, and removable.

[nvcichlids]

You might find some useful tips for the stands here http://www.tedsfishroom.com/wp/fishroom

That and Ted is a great guy. He is the head of my local fish club and would easily be willing to answer any questions you may have.

[PlecoCrazy]

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. You have definitely given me some suggestions that should work out. I think I'm going to a stand building workshop that the GCCA is putting on next weekend and will put a plan in action after I hopefully learn a few things from there. Its not going to be that big of a fishroom. A 1000 gallons is all I can fit in the space I have to work with but it will make life so much easier. I'm really excited to get started. I'll post some updates once I begin.