Physics Question

[Rython]

I purchased 2 Norwesco 200G water tanks to upgrade my water change station. Each has a 30 in diameter base and will be holding about 1600 lbs of water, so with the tank, that's ~1650 lbs each.

I want to keep them on a platform with my pump and plumbing between them. I suck at carpentry so i'm looking for an easier solution.

I'm considering using 3 (36 x 24 x 12) aluminum dunnage racks placed side by side with a piece of 1/2 in particle board (36 x 72) on top of them. Each dunnage rack is rated for 1300 lbs.

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So assuming the tanks are sitting within an inch of each end of the platform, 21 inches of the base of the tank is effectively on the right and left racks, each, and 9 inches of each is on the center rack.

Would that (with the particle board) distribute the weight enough for this to work or am I asking for trouble? If one tank is full and another is empty, would that cause problems?

Thanks,

 

[BlennyTime]

I wouldn’t use particle board, it wont stand up to the water. Use OSB or better yet plywood instead.

I think the concept would work, my concern would be how close you would be to the limit on those with total water weight.

 

[theatrus]

Second, no particleboard. Get some decent plywood.

Make sure the racks are shimmed totally level - and don't use compressible shims. Aluminum will flex quite a bit more and can deform pretty easily, so pay attention to that when setting this up so the load is shared.

 

[Rython]

Particle board it is. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Rython]

Er Plywood... SMH

 

[9975]

If the rack rails are fairly close to the floor then you can add some supports underneath for added strength in the middle. ideally using a 2x4 frame under the rails would be peace of mind

 

[Rython]

Good idea @9975. Thanks!

 

[Steph1]

I would strongly sugest not using standard plywood, but specifically MARINE PLYWOOD. Standard ply is not adequate it will delaminate and swell, marine ply will not.

 

[Rython]

Thanks for the advice @Steph1. I didn't even know Marine Plywood was a thing. Now to see if I can find any nearby.

 

[mike550]

@Rython just to make sure I’m tracking this. Your two tanks will weigh about 3300 lbs total, and your thought is that the weight will be distributed equally across three racks which should carry a combined load of 3900 lbs or 1300 lbs each?

 

[ReefLab]

Aluminum Dunnage Rack - 36 x 24 x 12

Keep ingredients and produce off the floor. All-welded bulk storage for coolers and freezers. Won't rust or corrode in extreme environments. NSF Certified.ULINE offers over 42,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage, packaging, or shipping...

www.uline.com

this has a 1 ton rating so that would probably be a better bet.
I wouldn't try and save $100 and risk 400 gallons of water on the floor lol

 

[Johniejumbo]

What are you setting the racks on? Is it going in a garage with concrete floors?

 

[Rython]

@Rython just to make sure I’m tracking this. Your two tanks will weigh about 3300 lbs total, and your thought is that the weight will be distributed equally across three racks which should carry a combined load of 3900 lbs or 1300 lbs each?

@mike550 That's exactly right. Plus i'm not sure if the load would be distributed across the three sufficiently simply by putting the plywood on the top.

 

[Rython]

What are you setting the racks on? Is it going in a garage with concrete floors?

@Johniejumbo Yes, in a garage with concrete floors that were covered in anti-slip paint. Eventually they will go in a fish room, probably with the same flooring.

 

[Rython]

Aluminum Dunnage Rack - 36 x 24 x 12

Keep ingredients and produce off the floor. All-welded bulk storage for coolers and freezers. Won't rust or corrode in extreme environments. NSF Certified.ULINE offers over 42,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage, packaging, or shipping...

www.uline.com

this has a 1 ton rating so that would probably be a better bet.
I wouldn't try and save $100 and risk 400 gallons of water on the floor lol

@ReefLab Wow, I didn't even see that one. That's probably way more likely to work. The additional cost isn't too bad.