For a nice change, I thought I'd post a DIY, that doesn't include Flower Pots (hem hem).

Like most people, I guess you get sick of all the crap that just gets tossed into your under-aquarium cabinet/shelf. And when you're constantly digging for items you use regularly, it's a pain. Here you can see the Food Storage Rack I threw together, much in the style of a Kitchen Spice Rack.

First up. I took note of the cannister size of fish foods I use regularly. And decided on how many cannisters I wanted across each shelf. This gives you your base width, and base depth. Make sure your shelves aren't so wide, you cannot close the Cabinet door.

Now very importantly, think carefully about the height between each shelf. You MUST be able to clear the shelf above, when you place, or remove, a cannister. So you need to leave some manoeuvring clearance, both upward, and forward. (Reducing the height of the shelf front would aid this). And again, watch the height (with cannister) of the top shelf, or your door won't close.

What I began with, was a back panel of 3mm MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). On to this I glued (PVA Woodglue) and tacked 9mm MDF for the base, and sides, of each shelf. I then pre-drilled, and tacked clear Perspex, to the front of each shelf. The whole Rack is then screwed to the Cabinet door, through the back panel. I used four screws, but I'm sure two would suffice.



So there you have it. MDF, Perspex, PVA Glue, Brads (little nails), Hammer, Drill, and Jigsaw (power tool), and about an hours effort. If it's not obvious why I used clear perspex, note that I have a good view of exactly what is on my shelves.

That's nice and organized! I'd like to make something like that, once my kids get old enough to not get into stuff. Right now I have all the kid-safe aquarium stuff in a couple of boxes inside the cabinet, and the fish food and chemicals are in a plastic container on a high shelf in the kitchen.

nicely done Peter. i might consider trying something similar, altho i'd almost prefer to keep the food outside the cupboard as everytime i accidently shut the door too hard or let it swing open my poor little corys freakout.

saying that it is actualy the largest corys, the 2 big albinos that i have that scare the most. as they go dashing for cover evry1 else freezes and waits for a few seconds before ressuming business

If you look way up in the top right hand corner, you can see the little 'felt' tab, that I put on each door to muffle it shutting.

That tank is in our lounge, so I need to keep everything out-of-sight.

good idea. my tank has little rubber stoppers that dont work very well, i may add something better like u have.

It's too early in the morning, but maybe later when I get up (after going to bed!), I'll post a pic of the Door Closer I put on the Tank Hood. That's a beauty, brings the lid down to a nice gentle drop.

i'd be interrested to see that