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I'm planning on building a 4'Lx1'6"Dx6'H rack to hold twenty-eight 15 quart sterilite boxes and 1 44 quart.
It lays out to have 8 4' long shelves and 1 3' long shelf with a one foot long section for the dimmer switches to be put.
3 dimmers will have two shelves per dimmer and the 4th dimmer will have the top 2 four foot shelves, the three foot shelf and the top of the rack were 2 feeder bins will placed. all will be wired to 4" heat tape.

But gettting on to my question.

I was wondering if the 4'x 18" shelves would sagg to much if they were made with 1/2" melamine (sp?) or should i use 3/4" for the shelves.
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Israel

Israel,
1/2 inch melamine will work (If you can find it)after all, snakes don't weigh that much. But I would recommend 3/4 inch for the added strength and durability. This is not the most structurally sound material, and as you are apparently aware, it does have a tendancy to sag. So, the bottom line is, if you can endure the added cost (nominal) and the added weight (substantial) the 3/4 is always going to serve you better.
Just my opinion. map.

If I were making a rack that was that long I would make a support in the middle if not between each tub. I will ALWAYS use 3/4" over 1/2" for any building or any material in that case, but that's just me. If you put supports and use the thicker I would think the rack would last much longer. just my opinion, but I am no expert.