Enclosure question: spacers between racks

[jsheffield]

Hello,

I’m taking a leap and expanding my tortoise enclosures into our garage… I’ve got a line on some great enclosures: 5x12 lobster tanks.

I want to stack two of them with spaces between them, and am wondering what would be good.

My first thought was milk crates sandwiched between 2x10 lumber, which should make a gap of about a foot between the tanks.

I was also thinking of putting the topmost tank two feet back from the bottom tank, to give me room to work in each tank.

I’d love any Input people have to offer….

Jamie

 

[turtlesteve]

Pics please. Those tanks sound awesome. I have been keeping an eye out for used fiberglass tanks (the large ones sometimes used for aquaculture) but never snagged any.

 

[jsheffield]

Pics please. Those tanks sound awesome. I have been keeping an eye out for used fiberglass tanks (the large ones sometimes used for aquaculture) but never snagged any.

if they’re in good shape when i go to check them out, I’ll figure out how to best mount them….

j

 

[ZenHerper]

The problem with milk crates is that plastic dry rots over time. So, depends on how permanent you're trying to build...

 

[jaizei]

Even set back 2', there will be a lot of bending over and reaching between. My first thought was to say to make it like drawers so that they can be pulled out to work in. But if it's only 2 levels high, I'd put casters/wheels on the bottom level so that it can be pulled out.

 

[Yvonne G]

The big box home improvement stores sell metal shelf racks. That's what I have in my reptile room. You assemble them yourself, so you can put the shelves almost anywhere you want.

 

[TeamZissou]

It appears Dan built some racks out of Unistrut seem to work well. If you've never used Unistrut, you can build just about anything out of it. I believe the lower tubs in his picture are not in use. If they were in use, he would raise up the lower supports:

Captive Maintenance of the Radiated Tortoise

Captive Maintenance of the Radiated Tortoise Dan Sterantino Field Associate in Herpetology AZA Accredited Trevor Zoo Millbrook, NY [email protected] With thanks to, and significant contribution by: Dr. William Zovickian & Tom Roach (Tap each picture for better clarity) Introduction: This is...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Buckeye Girl]

The big box home improvement stores sell metal shelf racks. That's what I have in my reptile room. You assemble them yourself, so you can put the shelves almost anywhere you want.

can you share pictures?

 

[Yvonne G]

Ok, give me a few minutes to get to my computer where the pictures are.

 

[Yvonne G]

 

[Buckeye Girl]

View attachment 332430View attachment 332431View attachment 332432

Very nice! That is a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Yvonne G]

Looks like the widest ones you can get are only 6' wide.

Black Wire Shelving Unit - 72 x 18 x 54

4 SHELF STARTER UNIT Decorative heavy-duty black wire shelving looks good in offices, stores and warehouses. Easy assembly – No tools needed. Shelves adjust in 1" increments. Open wire maximizes airflow, reduces dirt and dust build-up. Black powder coating resists corrosion, lasts for years. NSF...

www.uline.com

But looking at your pictures, it really doesn't look like they're 5' x 12'

 

[OkAdiza]

View attachment 332411

if they’re in good shape when i go to check them out, I’ll figure out how to best mount them….

j

You have a lot of good finds. Where do you find these things??

 

[OkAdiza]

Hey Jamie, did you ever end up getting these? How did they work out?

 

[wellington]

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The cat looks like he's guilty and got caught lol.

 

[jsheffield]

Hey Jamie, did you ever end up getting these? How did they work out?

I didn't... I got delayed by a new job that eats up too much of my time, but I'm going to get around to it soon.

J