From time to time I see discussions on here about making a gunge tank, and one of the concerns is always having something sturdy enough to safely support the weight of the gunge overhead. Was browsing on FB marketplace and came across a metal bunk bed frame. If it can support a small human, I'm assuming it could safely hold a container of gunge. Only issues that immediately came to mind are the height may not be as tall as one would like and it would take up a lot of space. Thoughts??

-JD

I think the answer requires a better mechanical mind than mine, but deferring to the experts on its strength, as you point out, I'm not sure how practical it would be.

And, I have to say, all the bunk beds I've ever been in have felt a lot less sturdy than they looked.

My two pence for what it's worth as someone who has slept a good amount of time in a bunk bed whilst being a big lad and who has built a half decent gunge tank (at least in my opinion):

It wouldn't be my first choice and I don't think it would take the weight. Usually, said small human would have their weight distributed by a mattress across all of the slats. Most gunge tanks would be a very deep, narrow box which would give decent pressure throughout the gunging, but be focuse on maybe 4-6 slats. So I think the weight is unlikely to be distributed enough to not risk bending the bars (or worse) wherever the tank of gunge happens to be. A couple of planks the length of the bed might do enough to distribute the weight, but I'd not be that confident.

The first tank I built uses C16 1x1.5 inch timber and 2mm acrylic. The timber both stops the acrylic bending and holds the 45ish KGs it needs to form the gunge tank (I tested it for double that). 15 months later, and a little older and wiser, I'd go for made to measure galvanised steel tube for a frame which will take several times the weight. That said, timber "talks to you" and starts creaking when it's under too much strain, or is getting close.

If I were looking for something second hand to turn into a gunge tank on a budget, it would be heavy duty or industrial shelving. Someone on here (sorry whoever it is, I've just got back from a night out so am not really in a state/mood to search the forums) has made a pretty good job of turning one into a gunge tank. And it strikes me as the kind of thing you might get lucky and be able to pick up for £/$20 or so at a car boot sale or thrift store on the right day.

Hope that's at least somewhat helpful.

If the bunk is rated for adults, then it should be OK, though I'd second the idea upthread of using planks to spread the weight out a bit. Bear in mind an adult rated bunk bed can handle someone putting all their weight on just a couple of slats while getting in and out, sitting, etc, so is built to carry load. Just check the structural condition first before having anyone sit under it.

It will however take up a lot of space. An industrial shelving unit will take up rather less.

The primary consideration with any gunge tank is load-bearing ability, a full tank of gunge (or dben just water) could easily kill someone if it suddenly drops on their head from height above.

Yes, this! Some of the knocked up tanks I've seen photos of over the years have made me shudder.

Excellent point

An after thought on the size issue, you could theoretically have it set up for 2 people and do like a gameshow style competition. Though that would be doubling the weight of gunge so maybe not a great idea...

you could put the tanks next to the frame, and then pump the gunge up to an aparatus at the top that sprays it downwards. That way the weight of your mess isn't on the frame all at once, but you still have the "Booth" feel. Then you have something at the bottom to collect and pump it back to the tank so it's not a huge hassle afterwards.

That's the idea I have in mind for the tote blatters. Hoping to get in a pump test if we get an odd warm day this fall

In terms of space contraints with most bed frames it would be possilbe to cut down the length provinging you had suitable tools and in theory that should improve it's weight carrying capacity. I would definately want to spread the weight with baords across all the slats. Height wouldn't be an issue if the 'victim' was sat on a chair or stool. Alternatively take advantage of the length to have the 'victim' gunged lying down with a number of nozzles/smaller tanks

That thought had not crossed my mind! I don't think I have ever seen a set up like that

Something like it has turned up on mainstream reality shows where they have two teams playing Battleships with team members lying down across three squares as the "ships" and gunge tanks above each square, so if the other team is accurate enough each person gets gunged three times, once in the face, once in the stomach / crotch, and once in the shins / feet. Someone posted some clips of that a few months ago, seeing one of the girls get full on gunged straight onto her shorts while lying down was awesome!

I wonder if you could use the length to have a wheeled chair to pull the victim through from one end to the other, then you could have a NHP car wash style set up!

Another way might be to have the victim sat in the middle with gunge spread above but funneled to the victim in the center via angled shoots. This way the gunge is more safely spread and the victim can be attacked from many angles.