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Phrontist
Determined



Registered: 07/17/13
Posts: 518
Last seen: 7 months, 11 days
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Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves 1
#26760547 - 06/20/20 07:53 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Phrontist’s OCD (Overly Complicated Design) —— Expandable Tub Shelves ——I have a compulsion to organize, usually beyond what’s really necessary or helpful. When that behavior enters the domain of mushroom cultivation, I’ll toss up a post with some pictures and instructions. Maybe someone will find it helpful or interesting. Who knows... Why not just stack the tubs? While stacking works fine, I don’t like how the bottoms sag, especially in the middle, due to a lack of direct support. I also don’t like having to move higher tubs in order to gain access to lower ones, even just to take a peek inside. This shelf design mitigates those issues while keeping all air holes at least 12” from floor and unobstructed. It’s also extremely lightweight yet sturdy, and can easily be expanded to accommodate more tubs (or contracted if you cut back a tub). What materials are required?In order to make the base unit (in the photo) I used: - 2 - 10’ x 1” PVC Pipe
- 12 - 1” S x S x S Tee Fitting
- 4 - 1” S x S x S Side Outlet 90-Degree Elbow
- 4 - 1” Socket Cap
Each expansion to accommodate an additional tub would require: - 1 - 10’ x 1” PVC Pipe
- 8 - 1” S x S x S Tee Fitting
How do you expand?First, I should mention that I have not cemented any of the joints, and it is not necessary to do so. If you would prefer to do so, the only connection you MUST NOT cement is where the “feet” connect to the “shelves” (see image below). Gravity maintains this connection, so you have nothing to worry about leaving it uncemented.  The reason is because you expand by duplicating the section between the feet and the top (highlighted in the image below), disconnecting the feet at the uncemented joints, and installing the duplicated section in that space (below the existing shelf and above the feet). How much and how long?All materials cost about $35 from Home Depot. Construction took about an hour total, but I used a powered miter saw which makes the cutting much faster. This also produces cleaner cuts and more uniform pieces, so it’s highly recommended (though certainly not mandatory). Where’s the cut list and plans?Unfortunately, unless you’re using the same tubs with the same hole placement as I am, you need to do some measuring on your own. I will say that the distance between the front and the back of each shelf is 6” on center, and I’d expect that to work well for most monotubs. Outside of that, you just need to measure your tub and add an inch or two on each side and above. Draw up plans (even crude ones), and take your time. As carpenters say, “measure twice, cut once.” You can do it, I believe in you!
Edited by Phrontist (07/18/20 02:50 PM)
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MLPismyOPSEC
That One Ponyfucker


Registered: 11/13/18
Posts: 884
Loc: Equestria? Mordor? Wester...
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: Phrontist]
#26760707 - 06/20/20 09:26 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Looks pretty legit, my friend! A suggestion, if i may, would be to make the feet tall enough to slide one more tub on the floor underneath the first shelf. Other than that, using 1" PVC should be more then strong/rigid enough to make it quite a few shelves high. I don't think it's overly complicated at all, for what it's worth!
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Phrontist
Determined



Registered: 07/17/13
Posts: 518
Last seen: 7 months, 11 days
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: MLPismyOPSEC]
#26760798 - 06/20/20 10:24 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
MLPismyOPSEC said: Looks pretty legit, my friend! A suggestion, if i may, would be to make the feet tall enough to slide one more tub on the floor underneath the first shelf. Other than that, using 1" PVC should be more then strong/rigid enough to make it quite a few shelves high. I don't think it's overly complicated at all, for what it's worth!
Thanks for the feedback. 
“Over 90% of the contaminants in a room are within a foot (1/3 meter) of the floor.” - RR
That’s why I purposely made the legs raise the air holes to just above 12”. If you always have a fully colonized tub available to keep on the floor, I guess it’d be low risk. I’d rather use the space down there for storage though (will be building some custom containers for that space soon).
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Mugnath


Registered: 05/24/12
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Loc: Oregon
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: Phrontist]
#26760932 - 06/20/20 11:19 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Raising that bottom one could be an issue by raising the center of gravity. One may need to add weight to the base if they chose to raise the bottom shelf. I love the design, very economical, going to build a few of these as soon as I find some time.
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Phrontist
Determined



Registered: 07/17/13
Posts: 518
Last seen: 7 months, 11 days
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: Mugnath]
#26762443 - 06/21/20 08:10 AM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Mugnath said: Raising that bottom one could be an issue by raising the center of gravity. One may need to add weight to the base if they chose to raise the bottom shelf. I love the design, very economical, going to build a few of these as soon as I find some time.
Glad you like it. Let me know what you think of it when you’ve got yours built.
Regarding center of gravity, there shouldn’t be any issues as long as the feet extend a few inches past the tub. For example, my tubs are 15” front to back, so I made my feet 19”. This keeps all of the weight on one side of the fulcrum point (tip of the foot) and makes it so a LOT of force is required to even tip the unit slightly, let alone knock it over.
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MLPismyOPSEC
That One Ponyfucker


Registered: 11/13/18
Posts: 884
Loc: Equestria? Mordor? Wester...
Last seen: 10 days, 10 hours
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: Mugnath]
#26762841 - 06/21/20 11:36 AM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Phrontist said: “Over 90% of the contaminants in a room are within a foot (1/3 meter) of the floor.” - RR
That’s why I purposely made the legs raise the air holes to just above 12”. If you always have a fully colonized tub available to keep on the floor, I guess it’d be low risk. I’d rather use the space down there for storage though (will be building some custom containers for that space soon).
Fair enough but with fully colonized grain, coir is resistant enough that i wouldn't be overly concerned about the tub contaminating from being on the floor. Personal preference though, and obviously there's (almost) no such thing as being too safe 
Quote:
Mugnath said: Raising that bottom one could be an issue by raising the center of gravity. One may need to add weight to the base if they chose to raise the bottom shelf. I love the design, very economical, going to build a few of these as soon as I find some time.
With the rigidity of 1" PVC, i'd be surprised if there were stability issues up to 5 or 6 tubs high.
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Mugnath


Registered: 05/24/12
Posts: 733
Loc: Oregon
Last seen: 8 months, 16 days
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: MLPismyOPSEC]
#26762845 - 06/21/20 11:38 AM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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You haven't met my dogs... 
They will figure out how to knock it over.
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Phrontist
Determined



Registered: 07/17/13
Posts: 518
Last seen: 7 months, 11 days
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: MLPismyOPSEC]
#26763306 - 06/21/20 02:55 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
MLPismyOPSEC said: With the rigidity of 1" PVC, i'd be surprised if there were stability issues up to 5 or 6 tubs high.
Only thing I would change if I went that high would be to cement the feet portions together (but still not to the upper portions) just to be safe. But yeah, I’d expect this design to hold up just fine.
Edited by Phrontist (06/21/20 03:21 PM)
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eatyualive
Eat's You Alive :)



Registered: 08/17/01
Posts: 19,026
Loc: In Your Head
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: Phrontist]
#26763447 - 06/21/20 04:07 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Love it “overly complicated”. Not too complicated. Pvc is easy to work with especially when building room size setups! 
If it cost less than some shelves and a little free time, totally worth it.
One other advantage would be the tubs on the bottom of stacks generally get the direct light from above cutoff and sometimes reach to the sides. In my environment they all reach when i stack. In this setup it appears you get good light between the stack.
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Phrontist
Determined



Registered: 07/17/13
Posts: 518
Last seen: 7 months, 11 days
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: eatyualive]
#26764837 - 06/21/20 05:44 PM (3 years, 7 months ago) |
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Yeah, you right eat. The extra light is a definite bonus. Thanks for the feedback.
PVC is like Tinker Toys for grown ups, I love the stuff. I started building something with wood, but thought about how much moisture it might absorb... bacteria, etc. I’m glad I switched to something non-absorbent that I can easily wipe down with iso if the need ever arises.
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kryptopunk69
Stranger

Registered: 01/29/22
Posts: 22
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: Phrontist]
#27706068 - 03/23/22 05:27 PM (1 year, 10 months ago) |
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Nice TEK Phrontist!
I have a few questions if I may.
What would you use for cementing the fittings? I'm a bit concerned about not needing to cement the fittings where the “feet” connect to the “shelves”, it looks like they would just slide down if I put a monotub
1 to 2 inches between the lid and top fitting is because the sub will get too hot or it's just to be able to open the lid easier?
What size monotubs do you use?
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Maphead
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: kryptopunk69]
#27706090 - 03/23/22 05:52 PM (1 year, 10 months ago) |
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I can relate to the "OCD" thing. I like the idea of not cementing any of it in that if and whenever you move your operation, it would all just quickly breakdown into a single large box and then set back up in very little time.
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Maphead
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Registered: 09/23/18
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: kryptopunk69]
#27706097 - 03/23/22 05:57 PM (1 year, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
kryptopunk69 said: Nice TEK Phrontist!
... it looks like they would just slide down if I put a monotub"
PVC fittings have a little lip about an inch or so in only allowing the piece that is inserted there to go so far.
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kryptopunk69
Stranger

Registered: 01/29/22
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Re: Phrontist’s “OCD” - Expandable Tub Shelves [Re: Maphead]
#27706136 - 03/23/22 06:42 PM (1 year, 10 months ago) |
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Ah, so the vertical pipes are cut in 2 places where the fittings are.
Thanks for this!
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