Help installing heavy duty shelf brackets for stacked tanks

[Centerline]

Hi all,

I'd like to install a series of 4 10 gallon tanks, stacked vertically. I'm using some of these shelf brackets. I expect the tanks themsleves to will weigh 80-100lbs max when full. These brackets say they can support 1000 lbs when "installed properly" . I am planning to use two of them for each tank, spaced 16" apart, installed on studs. The tanks are 22 inches wide and will sit on 3/4 plywood between the tank and brackets. I'm using 1 1/2 inch long lag bolts with washers. I'm taking this approach b/c of the space I have to work with (versus just building a full shelf out of 2x4s).

I guess my first question is, how is the weight distributed in this setup? is all of the weight on the lag bolts and 2x4 studs? Should the bolts be longer?

I'm paranoid they won't hold, picture them ripping right out of the studs .

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-White-Heavy-Duty-Shelf-Bracket/3034237

I happen to build heavy duty structural supports for a living. We support everything from architectural beams to granite countertops. There is no way I would use those brackets to support 80 lbs. If you take a look at the keyway weld you will notice its a bare minimum tack. The steel itself is a little less than .125". If the weld on the gusset fails the bracket will collapse on the spot. If you do use them consider removing any sheetrock from the wall, pre drilling all of your holes and then using lags and washers. Drive the lag by hand as you can twist the head off without much trouble. If you still plan to go this way do not neglect to remove the sheet rock. The sheet rock will compress and fall apart over time. If you would still want to use brackets PM me. We have a lot of samples of the10" version of brackets below and I may be able to hook you up.

If you take a look at the attached load analysis document they can handle around 400 lbs with a safety factor of 1.5.

The site we sell these products from is at is http://www.countertopbracket.com and you can find more images and examples.

Remember, if you do want to use these don't order them from the site. PM me and Ill hook you up.

 

[Paul B]

And, they were welded in China, probably out of chewing gum.

 

[glus]

Guys,
I am actually thinking to install a 75 Gallon aquairum on brackets like that or stronger ones. I had a 150Galon aquarium cracked because my aparement floor is woobly. That was a disaster. I would like to use 4 brackets for this to work. Open wall first and add one extra 2x4 to each of the exisitng 2x4s. I have seen U.s. made brackets with support load of 1000lbs per pair. That would give me 2000lbs support for about 800lbs I needed. I would still add support under the brackets to go to the floor. I know it is a crazy idea but I read that each wall 2x4 can do about 1,000lbs. Let me know what you think of ir anyone had seen something like that. I own the condo where I want to build it.

 

[glus]

I am actually thinking to install a 75 Gallon aquarium on brackets like that or stronger ones. I had recently a 150 gallon aquarium cracked because my apartment floor is wobbly. That was a disaster. .I would like to use 4 heavy duty brackets for this to work. I would open the wall first and add one extra 2x4 to each of the existing 2x4s and add 4th 2x4 pair so I have a total of 4 mount points on the 48'' lenght tank. I have seen U.S. made steel brackets with support load of 1000lbs per pair. 4 of them would would give me around 2000lbs support for about 800lbs I need (freshwater). I would still add support under the brackets to go to the floor as a precaution. I know it is a crazy idea but I read that each wall 2 by 4 stud can do about 1,000lbs. The wall there that would be standing is a wall-bearing wall. The floor is not made well and it shakes when people walk on it. So I can't put aquarium on it at all. And I don't want to be without aquarium. Let me know what you think of it anyone had seen something like that. This is a 3rd floor condo that I own.

 

[bh750]

I am actually thinking to install a 75 Gallon aquarium on brackets like that or stronger ones. I had recently a 150 gallon aquarium cracked because my apartment floor is wobbly. That was a disaster. .I would like to use 4 heavy duty brackets for this to work. I would open the wall first and add one extra 2x4 to each of the existing 2x4s and add 4th 2x4 pair so I have a total of 4 mount points on the 48'' lenght tank. I have seen U.S. made steel brackets with support load of 1000lbs per pair. 4 of them would would give me around 2000lbs support for about 800lbs I need (freshwater). I would still add support under the brackets to go to the floor as a precaution. I know it is a crazy idea but I read that each wall 2 by 4 stud can do about 1,000lbs. The wall there that would be standing is a wall-bearing wall. The floor is not made well and it shakes when people walk on it. So I can't put aquarium on it at all. And I don't want to be without aquarium. Let me know what you think of it anyone had seen something like that. This is a 3rd floor condo that I own.

I eventually decided to make a stacked 2x4 framed stand and not go with the brackets. Too many worries that I wouldnt be able to sleep at night. Thanks to all the input here. With that said I think if you do what you said - strip down the wall to the studs, add some extra ones, and use good quality brackets it should work. Make sure to post pics of the brackets here for feedback. Only other thing is your point about a 2x4 holding 1,000lbs. I've heard they can hold a small car, but... that's with it the weight directly on top of the 2x4 compressing it down vertically. This is different in that the force is pulling out against the stud. So its really the bracket and the lag screws that will be bearing most of the force, IMO. Some great posts in the this thread talk about that as I'm no expert

 

[bh750]

I happen to build heavy duty structural supports for a living. We support everything from architectural beams to granite countertops. There is no way I would use those brackets to support 80 lbs. If you take a look at the keyway weld you will notice its a bare minimum tack. The steel itself is a little less than .125". If the weld on the gusset fails the bracket will collapse on the spot. If you do use them consider removing any sheetrock from the wall, pre drilling all of your holes and then using lags and washers. Drive the lag by hand as you can twist the head off without much trouble. If you still plan to go this way do not neglect to remove the sheet rock. The sheet rock will compress and fall apart over time. If you would still want to use brackets PM me. We have a lot of samples of the10" version of brackets below and I may be able to hook you up.

If you take a look at the attached load analysis document they can handle around 400 lbs with a safety factor of 1.5.

The site we sell these products from is at is http://www.countertopbracket.com and you can find more images and examples.

Remember, if you do want to use these don't order them from the site. PM me and Ill hook you up.

@Centerline , I'm so sorry I never saw this post. Thanks so much for the input and offer! Like I said I went away with the approach after too many concerns (aka - I chickened out )

 

[glus]

Thanks. I wonder if anyone else can contribute more? Where do I buy good quality brackets that can support such weight ? (~1,000lbs).

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

The other thing you could do depending on the width of your shelf is add a support chain or cable on each shelf back to the wall (I only drew one - you'd want it on each, of course). And I also recommend the use of a plywood backer as a must have. *Edit: I just realized you posted you were doing something different. . .

 

[Centerline]

@Centerline , I'm so sorry I never saw this post. Thanks so much for the input and offer! Like I said I went away with the approach after too many concerns (aka - I chickened out )

Smart move

 

[Centerline]

Thanks. I wonder if anyone else can contribute more? Where do I buy good quality brackets that can support such weight ? (~1,000lbs).

1000 lbs can be supported with something as simple as an angle iron bracket with a gusset in it. The problem isn't supporting 1000 lbs. The problem is what the brackets are connecting to and how far apart the spacing is. What are you planning?

 

[Centerline]

The other thing you could do depending on the width of your shelf is add a support chain or cable on each shelf back to the wall (I only drew one - you'd want it on each, of course). And I also recommend the use of a plywood backer as a must have. *Edit: I just realized you posted you were doing something different. . .

Dealing with this stuff on a daily basis I have to say I'm pretty impressed with your solution here. I would suggest that you might get a little more utility from "sistering" in the 2x4's rather than butting them to the face of the existing ones. And chain would be unnecessary with a bracket such as this where the gusset is modified based on the application (longer = less deflection on the tip of the bracket).

Here is a picture of a Spectra weighing in at about 80 lbs floated off the wall with the above bracket - zero deflection.

 

[Centerline]

I am actually thinking to install a 75 Gallon aquarium on brackets like that or stronger ones. I had recently a 150 gallon aquarium cracked because my apartment floor is wobbly. That was a disaster. .I would like to use 4 heavy duty brackets for this to work. I would open the wall first and add one extra 2x4 to each of the existing 2x4s and add 4th 2x4 pair so I have a total of 4 mount points on the 48'' lenght tank. I have seen U.S. made steel brackets with support load of 1000lbs per pair. 4 of them would would give me around 2000lbs support for about 800lbs I need (freshwater). I would still add support under the brackets to go to the floor as a precaution. I know it is a crazy idea but I read that each wall 2 by 4 stud can do about 1,000lbs. The wall there that would be standing is a wall-bearing wall. The floor is not made well and it shakes when people walk on it. So I can't put aquarium on it at all. And I don't want to be without aquarium. Let me know what you think of it anyone had seen something like that. This is a 3rd floor condo that I own.

Allow me to suggest that before you purchase a pair of brackets that can handle 1000 lbs ask the vendors for the load analysis from their engineer. If your looking at the Outwater products (built by Federal Brace if I'm not mistaken) they may indeed be able to handle that much weight as they will have a full gusset. If you want to support that much weight and a full gusset / visible brace is good for you then check out federalbrace.com - they have a lot of cool stuff and as a competitor of mine I've purchased every thing they build and am impressed - and I'm pretty hard to impress when it comes to brackets. The real issue you have is with the shear and axial strength of your wall / wobbly floor. USP states that a 2x4 wall can support 1100 lbs BUT being in the business of floating heavy stuff from walls, roofs, you name it, I can promise you that not all walls are build equally. If I were you I would get a engineer to take a look at your plan and if he believes it will work have HIM draw and stamp the prints. Get the job permitted and then get a legit contractor to do the work. There is a LOT of potential liability here and I suggest you stake it on someone else's insurance. Please note that I am in the heavy duty bracket business, sell well over 100 thousand of them a year and did not suggest that you purchase your products from me. Why? Because a project like this requires a structural engineer. Sorry if I sound like a pessimist but we turn down projects like this all of the time because our engineer simply flips out when we propose them without a structural engineer involved. If this was on a stable foundation you would have no problems - wobbly floors add a variable that just cant be definitively overcome without professional assistance.

All of that said, I own a 150 a 90 and a 20gl tank - the 20 is my favorite Maybe a Nuvo 20 or 30 would be a better fit for your current situation?