[Killietalk] base materials

["Kray, Edd" <Edd_Kray at rf.doe.gov>]

I'd like to ask some advice from you materials experts and amateur
engineers out there.

I'm planning on setting up a couple new rows of 2 1/2 gallon glass tanks
this weekend. I'll be placing them onto those plastic shelf-units that
are so popular from the Home Depot. The units are about 5 feet high,
hold 5 plastic shelves and the uprights are the plastic poles that fit
into holes in the shelves.

Anyway, I've had these shelf units for a couple years and kept 4 plastic
2's (like we use at our shows) on each shelf. The shelves have slumped a
little in the middle due to the weight (Maybe 1/8 inch in the center). 

Well, I want my new rows of tanks to be flat and level.

So my question is, what would you recommend as reinforcement under the
new tanks? It needs to be thin and strong. It seems that plywood, even
like 1/2" might slump and I certainly don't' have the headroom between
the shelves to set them on 2/4's/ Is there anything thin, (and
inexpensive) but with the structural rigidity to keep the row from
slumping in the middle.


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