How do you customize a shelf unit as an aquarium stand?

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

How do I attach wooden panels to this Heavy Duty 5-Tier Utility Shelving Unit from Lowes?

I want to transform this open utility shelving unit:

To look more like this commercial aquarium display rack:

 

[Hugo_Fish]

In the past, I used a shelving unit to hold a Flood tank as my frag tank..... to be honest. I would make something more ...sturdy.... they always seem too flimsy to use as this isn't there main purpose

 

[firechild]

How do I attach wooden panels to this Heavy Duty 5-Tier Utility Shelving Unit from Lowes?

I want to transform this open utility shelving unit:

To look more like this commercial aquarium display rack:

Not a chance that shelving unit can hold the weight required to make a tank rack. I'd be building something from either solid timber or aluminium t/v-slot extrusion.

 

[slogan315]

I have this exact rack in my garage. The metal seems sturdy enough for anything. But the particle board inserts is where failure would happen. A little RO spilt on them and now they all sag. Plus the shelves aren’t supported in the middle, just the edges.

I’d get something where each shelf is solid metal all the way across, not just the frame. Bonus points for leveling feet.

 

[FUNGI]

Skinning it with 3/4 ply wood. The holes in the rack make for great attachment points. Replace the particle board shelves with 3/4 plywood alos.
I looked quickly at states 800lbs load per shelf.

 

[FUNGI]

Just had a thought.....if you go to the trouble of skinning.,....then just build a stand instead....some 4x4x8's for uprights, 2x4's for the cross beams and you are all set

 

[Rick's Reviews]

The shelf's alone may look sturdy but in my opinion the corners, upright will fail... They will fail in regards to weight, these racks could not hold my painting tools (very light) or even my heavy tools, they kinda sway/ lean.
I definitely would avoid heavy weights on these

 

[FUNGI]

The shelf's alone may look sturdy but in my opinion the corners, upright will fail... They will fail in regards to weight, these racks could not hold my painting tools (very light) or even my heavy tools, they kinda sway/ lean.
I definitely would avoid heavy weights on these

Agree on sway, until you skin the back.....we use tons of these in our warehouse