The drawing for the Tetra Loading Station appears to show the side supports at 30 inches apart - if this were so, wouldn’t the tetras fall through …
The pretty pictures in the Comp Manual show a tube structure instead, which is definitely narrower than the tetra sitting on it !
It’s better to consider this file:
http://www2.usfirst.org/2005comp/Drawings/2005_TEAM_Field_elements_TETRA_LOADER.pdf
Yes - that is the point - this drawing shows the spacers as 2’ 6" long = 30 inches = size of tetra (very nearly). A number like 18 " would be better.
Remember that the PVC pipes are 30" long. When you add the clovers, each tetra will be a few inches longer then 30" and so should be able to be supported by a structure 30" wide.
It should also be noted that the pretty pictures in the manual are just that, pretty pictures. The figure on page 8 of the Game section has already been shown to be wrong.
At Manchester the supports for the tetra were ~13" apart (inside to inside) and 1.5" wide. I posted a photo in the gallery.