150g Build Thread

[davidpesce]

So the plan is to surprise the lady with a new stand and new tank this holiday season. Upgrading the 75g for a 150g. I never built doors for the existing stand and have been nagged about it for a while. =o)

On top of that, there are a few fish that could use some more swimming room.

To start off, I'm building a new stand:
2x4 frame

Dry fit of 1x6 maple face

Glued 3/4" maple ply on the sides - front face will cover edge of ply

On the left is a piece of wood I stained using conditioner and on the right is one without conditioner. Crazy that it's the same stain...

My faithful woodworking companion

Glued on face

Face is done drying

Dry fit of the top lip. The reason it is so big is so that you can put your pint glass on it while looking at the tank

Glued up top lip

That's it for now. ABC Aquarium has the tank on order and should be coming in next week. I plan to finish the trim tomorrow morning, let the glue dry during the day and then sand/stain tomorrow evening.

 

[cardiffgiant]

Great job Dave, it's looking good! The template that I used is very similar. Mine called for a 2x4 along the middle of the inside corner of each leg that that is slightly shorter and doesn't touch the bottom or top. I honestly don't know if it's an added precaution or overkill, but a 150 is a pretty heavy system.

 

[SkiFletch]

Love the cinder blocks

 

[davidpesce]

Mine called for a 2x4 along the middle of the inside corner of each leg that that is slightly shorter and doesn't touch the bottom or top.

Yea, I think that's probably if you're skinning with 1/4'' ply. The stand is stiff as it is, but with the 3/4' ply its rock solid.

 

[davidpesce]

Love the cinder blocks

When gravity can be your friend, use it!

 

[Jacwil]

Woot WOOOOT!!! Lookin sweeeet man! What did you decide on re: overflow(s)?

 

[Capt_Cully]

Iamwrasseman aka Dave built my stand, but I ordered custom doors on line. Ran me like $40 unstinted. Was a lot less of a headache for Dave. A lot quicker too.

Looks great so far. Will be following along.

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

Looks great! I built a similar stand for my 120. I ordered 4 cabinet doors online as well. I think I paid 25 or 30 each, but it was well worth it.

 

[davidpesce]

Woot WOOOOT!!! Lookin sweeeet man! What did you decide on re: overflow(s)?

G just texted me, it's got one corner overflow. I had wanted two to do somewhat of a herbie overflow, but I'm fine with one. I'm debating on drilling a 3/4" hole in case I want to do the herbie inside the corner overflow and ten have the return in the 3/4".

 

[davidpesce]

I figured since this is a reef forum, I'd skip over the next bit of sanding, gluing, etc. Quick update...

Final shot before conditioning and staining.

Brace yourself for the thought that I really ruined this wood...

Some redemption on the closeups of the grain...

Just added the first clear coat

I'm feeling that the stand is a good compliment to the tank. The reason behind that is that typically when you look at a reef tank, you go, "oh that looks nice/great!". Then you step closer and see a bit more, and finally your face is pressed to the glass and you're marveling at the polyps or pods cruising around on the rock.

The stand is kind of like that. It looks good/ok from afar, but up close it's a beauty. The room it is in is typically dimly lit with cherry colored floors. Install day is 12/15!

 

[davidpesce]

Iamwrasseman aka Dave built my stand, but I ordered custom doors on line. Ran me like $40 unstinted. Was a lot less of a headache for Dave. A lot quicker too.

Looks great so far. Will be following along.

I saw a few sites that had the custom cabinet doors, but figured I'd give it a crack. I ended up making the doors out of 1x3 maple, dado'd a 1/4" groove on the inside and have 1/4" maple to tack inside it. I was really pushing to get the bulk of the stand done because I can easily finish the doors inside without Michelle seeing anything.

Thanks for the comments/encouragements guys!

 

[cardiffgiant]

I'm liking the color Dave. Can't wait to see it all set up!

 

[SkiFletch]

Lookin good Dave. If you're doing an under-tank sump, I'd suggest a few coats of clear there too

 

[tent boy]

I'm always amazed how many reefers are good at woodworking. A handy bunch. Love the green.

 

[davidpesce]

Today is the big day!

 

[Henry Colf]

Looks great, tagging along. Love the color of the stain.

 

[blanden.adam]

looking forward to seeing it up! Pics tonight perhaps?

 

[davidpesce]

OK, final update for the day.

Mark and Tony carrying in the stand

G helping with the plumbing

Having fun yet?

Did we leave enough space for cords?!

Good to go!

Starting to stack

A little wash down

Starting to clear up

Hard to see, but the only shot I got of Michelle walking in after work. Shock and awe!

A big thanks to G at ABC Aquariums, Mark, Amie, Tony, and Michelle for the tremendous help they provided today. Also morale support while I freaked out and re-arranged the room a few times before settling on where it is now. Awesome, awesome people. And to think, if I hadn't gotten into reefing, I'd never have met them!

 

[Capt_Cully]

Great looking set up and aquascape. Any pics of "the guts"? (Sump, skimmer)

 

[davidpesce]

Great looking set up and aquascape. Any pics of "the guts"? (Sump, skimmer)

I think I have the basement setup in my 75g build thread. If not I'll post soon.