Requesting ideas for tank rack.

I have far too many 10 gallon aquariums sitting around, and decided to make a rack of 3 or 4 of them as FO or FOWLR specimen tanks. I want to stack them vertically with the bottom 10 gallon acting as a sump. I'm interesting in hearing your ideas for tying all the tank together for drain and return. The only things that I require are that the tanks have to sit on a bookshelf, so no plumbing coming out of the bottom, and that I'd prefer not having a large amount of PVC protruding from the rear so that it sits up against the wall.

Pictures and examples would be greatly appreciated.

 

sounds like an interesting project - any chance you could provide a photo of the bookcase in place?

That might help inspire some creative thinking

 

why cant you drill through the bottom of the tanks, that would be sweet?

 

It had better be a really nice bookshelf, if it has any MDF or adjustable shelves your just asking for trouble.

~Will.

 

Will makes a valid point. Not too long ago someone in my area was giving away some old server racks for free....

sort of makes me regret not going to snag one.

 

fiberboard and water mix well,,, lol j/k yes as Will stated i hope its not MDF or OSB...

 

Because I don't want to drill through the shelf. I'd prefer tanks to be drilled in the back if they needed to be drilled at all. No drilling would be even better seeing as how most of these tanks will probably be tempered on all panels.

I'll admit that it's from walmart, but it has a nice, thick laminant, and I've used a similar style TV stand to support my 28 Euro for nearly 3 years without incident.

I'd be regretting it as well, server racks kick ass.

 

10 gallon tanks are not tempered, and i dont think that stand will hold them, i might be wrong but i would not put them on there?

 

My idea was to create a cascade overflow setup. Drill each tank twice on opposite ends of the back glass near the waterline, 1 for return and 1 for overflow. The sump will supply the top tank, which will overflow in the next tank below that, and so on and so forth until it finally returns to the sump. I do have a clip on picotope style light fixture I might use on the top tank for an open top look.

 

I seriously doubt that rack will hold them, but thats just my opinion