DIY Rack Assistance Needed

[LeviBP]

I began a little project to build a rack for hatchlings, and maybe a few breeders. Just for competitions sake, I'm trying to finish this rack with as little money possible, to see how little I can build one with, that is still safe and meets my criteria. So far, I have a little over $5 in the entire rack, excluding tubs. I was unhappy with the flat gray coloration of the rack, so I painted it myself, only with safe non-toxic paint, and on the exterior only. However, I did run into a few issues, which I guess is to be expected with this type of a build, so I was wondering if anyone here could help me along.

It's 36in. wide x 42in. tall x 18in. deep (Actual dimensions, lips included)






Now to the problems, this is the inside of the rack, and the very top. You can see there is a lip here, it's about an inch and a half tall, so I will probably need to cover this with something to avoid BP's crawling up in there or other complications. Any suggestions would be nice, I was thinking possibly tack welding sheet metal, or if I could find plastic to fit in there.


This rack came with a couple shelves made for the rack with little grooves as you can see here


And metal clips to support the shelves


However as you can see here, these shelves also have lips.



So I would like to know what I may be able to use as shelves, and something I can use to cover the top lip, which could probably be a shelf as well that I could place flush with the lip of the top.

Thanks,
LeviBP

[LeviBP]

Also, I would like to stick to metals and plastics. Wood will likely be my last resort.

[LeviBP]

Think I found a good solution,

Took a trip to Lowe's and picked up: 1/4 inch paneling, drywall corner bead, and some strong metal glue "The Amazing Goop" and "Liquid Nails".

I'm going to dimension my tubs, or set them in the bottom, mark where my corner bead (Which is basically a angle for drywall, comes in 8ft. strips for around $2) will go, place the corner bead on either side of where the shelf will slide and possibly a strip in the back for increased stability. Once this is complete, I will slide in all my shelves, install flexwatt and a thermostat. Then I will slide in my tubs, this rack will be able to hold four 35 qt tubs, four 16qt tubs, and eight 6qt tubs. Or, three 35qt tubs, three 16qt tubs, and twelve 6qt tubs, which ever I decide in the final process.
If the goop does not hold, I will bolt the corner bead in.

Corner bead


Amazing Goop


1/4 Paneling