Support for Vivariums on Wire rack shelving

[MikeM670]

I'm in need of a fast answer if possible. I'm moving all my vivariums to wire rack setups into our dinning room / kitchen area. Taking out the large computer desk. My question is do I need to put some sort of support on top of the wire shelves themselves for the tanks to sit on? Somthing like a 1/4 inch press board or plywood base? I will be putting a 55 gallon, 4 Ten Gallon Verts, 2 Twenty Gallon Longs and two 18x18x24 vivariums on two 48 inch racks.

[DonLisk]

Mike, I would use something since trying to move the vivs would be a challange on the wire compared to having something they can easily slide across.

Clear plexi wouldn't take away from the appearance if it was thick enough to not crack from the weight.

[Tony]

I use a thin sheet of insulation styrofoam under Exo Terra tanks to ensure that they sit flat, if placed directly on the shelf they may twist slightly and cause the doors to become misaligned.

[MikeM670]

Mike, I would use something since trying to move the vivs would be a challange on the wire compared to having something they can easily slide across.

Clear plexi wouldn't take away from the appearance if it was thick enough to not crack from the weight.

I use a thin sheet of insulation styrofoam under Exo Terra tanks to ensure that they sit flat, if placed directly on the shelf they may twist slightly and cause the doors to become misaligned.

Well I decided to go with MDF which is smooth and hard. It can get messed up if wet but I'll take my chances. I used 1/2 inch 2 x4 foot boards cut down to fint just inside the rim and notched around the post. Only have one installed so far. I put my row of 10 verts on it. Looks much better and I feek better about the tanks sitting on it.

I thought about painting the boards black but the wife said no. I think she wants the project done as now I have two rooms all messed up.

Thanks for you ideas! I might employ them in the future.