40 Gallon Custom, looking for feedback...

[calvin415]

Thanks Zach!!!

Well I guess it's time for another update... Today was crazy, as I had 3 BBQ's to go to, so I only had the morning to work, but it was very productive! I was able to frame up the canopy with 1x2's glued and screwed together with #6 screws and skined with glue and #4 screws. I added bracing to run diagonally to hold the pendant and left the back corner open for easy of moving and to allow for additional circulation. The top will be mostly open other than the 3 triangles for addition support. This thing is very solid, even with just the frame together, I could toss it around without any movement! Okay, Okay, here's the pics!

I still have the doors to build and the inside to seal, same goes for the stand. I already have the veneer, I decided on Maple to match the rest of the furniture in my office. Once this is all done, I can stain and trim then get started on plumbing it!

 

[calvin415]

Well, a quick update... I got some maple stock yesterday, so I can make my trim pieces. I'm going to try to get started on the veneer tonight... Hope it turns out okay.

 

[stugray]

calvin415,
Looking awesome!

One comment/question though:

in this pic:

It seems that the black acrylic was glued in from the inside, and some care was taken to go all the way around the perimeter, but it didnt get 100% coverage. If there is any chance that water gets into those voids behind the black stuff, then you could have some issues with algae growth between the panes.

Maybe a better solution would have been to attach the black acrylic to the back on the outside of the tank with some simple fasteners.

Stu

 

[calvin415]

Well too late now... LOL

I guess if water were to get in, and if light were to be sufficient, and there was ample air I would just have to live with it. Not like I would have to see it.

 

[calvin415]

As for a status update, I was able to cut most of the small trim pieces from solid maple, veneered the stand and canopy and started to install the trim. I need to get a little more wood for the larger trim pieces, and make the doors. I'll take some pics tomorrow with hopefully more visible progress.

 

[tigerarmy40]

this is gonna be a bda a$$ tank! I cant waite to see it with water in it! are you going to have a dsb? you should go black!

 

[calvin415]

It will have just a few inches of sand... I thought about black, but I had it in my 2.5 nano, and it showed every little thing. If I wanted to see it all I'd just go BB.

 

[tigerarmy40]

you mean the mess shows up on the black sand more then it does with the white!?

 

[calvin415]

Yep. Just like a car, white shows dirt, but black will not only show the dirt but even show the dust.

 

[calvin415]

Here's the stand with the doors just sitting in the frame... The doors still need to be veneered and trimmed but it should give you an idea of the look.

Here's the trim that will go around the base of the tank/top of the cabinet.

Here's the canopy with most of the trim on, but lots of sanding to be done... And I haven't started on the doors yet.

Zoomed in on the front top corner of the canopy.

Okay, so 4 more pieces of trim to install, and then I can focus on veneering and trimming the doors for installation. Once it's all sanded I can get started on the stain.

 

[calvin415]

Time for an update I guess... Sorry I didn't get it done today, I spent the first 3 hours today building a CL (Q1 5000 W/ Squirt) for my Dad's 75 gallon. He was sick of his MJ's falling off the glass.

Here's where I'm at...

Right Side

Left Side

As you can see, the doors are cut and veneered, but I'm still working on the trim for the doors. I still need to cut, veneer, and trim the canopy doors, but today was lots of sanding for the canopy.

Here's part of the trim for the doors.

Some more shots of the canopy trim

And the stands top trim finished.

 

[tigerarmy40]

good stuff man! thats gonna look dope in the corner!

 

[calvin415]

Thanks! I hope to get my 23 cleaned up and ready for Castlerock to buy asap, then I'll get it finished.

 

[calvin415]

I just got done doing some shopping, what the hell!? Just when you think you've got everything you need.

Here's what I got...

Red Sea AquaZone Plus 50 mg/hr ozonizer
American Marine Pinpoint ORP Probe
Captive Purity Refractometer with Calibration Dial
Kent Marine Float Valve Only, Black ABS
5 Loc-Lines 3/4 inch Ball Socket Flexible Tube 6 inch
Jager 250 W Heater 17 inch UL Approved
Salifert Magnesium Test Kit
Salifert Phosphate Test Kit
Salifert Calcium Test Kit

and I still plan to add a 2 ch dosing pump...
Where does it end!?

 

[calvin415]

Re-Did the plumbing to allow maximum room to access the tank...

Here's a shot of the plumbing with the canopy removed, it's great, lifts straight up and off!

 

[tigerarmy40]

thats awesome!

 

[calvin415]

Thanks bro! Almost forgot last night I also covered the entire top of the stand with neoprene (mouse pads from work ) Just taped them all together (from the bottom) to form one big black mat and now the tank is perfectly padded.

 

[Deuce67]

Dang Eric! Thats looking sweet! Im planning to built a new canopy in the next couple of months. I know now who to ask for some tips and advice on how to build one!

 

[flycasterjosh]

Hi Eric,

Great thread, excited to see the completed product! By the way, you have the most comfortable looking "workshop" that I have ever seen. You must have a wife that loves (tolerates) you very much.

Good job.

 

[calvin415]

Dang Eric! Thats looking sweet! Im planning to built a new canopy in the next couple of months. I know now who to ask for some tips and advice on how to build one!

Thanks Russ! Just let me know if I can help ya out in any way!