40 Gallon Custom Setup

[calvin415]

I'll give a break down when it's all done... Money's still going out.

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]

Are you gonna comment on how much this all ran ya? I'm very impressed by this setup.

Maybe I don't want to give a break down (too depressing), I'm over 2K so far and I still have a couple things still to buy... Not to mention sand, rock, and livestock.

 

[bkztrini465]

I'd say that 2Gs was well spent the set up looks amazing already, just imagine it stocked.

 

[calvin415]

Thanks bkztrini465!

I was able to get 1 coat of primer on the cabinet and canopy yesterday, and I hope to get another coat on it tonight. Have some other things to take care of so I might not get much more than that done today. Sorry everyone...

 

[leeweber85]

2g! thats crazy! It is one of the best setups I have ever seen though. Everything seems to be well done and top of the line.

What are you planning on keeping? SPS I hope

 

[NeilsReef]

Your tank is coming along quite nicely, it is very nice! You are doing a top notch job, I look forward to seing pictures once you get some water in it. Once again, you have a very nice tank.

Neil

 

[calvin415]

2g! thats crazy! It is one of the best setups I have ever seen though. Everything seems to be well done and top of the line.

What are you planning on keeping? SPS I hope

Thanks! I can't believe how much I've spent, when you look and an item or two it doesn't seem to add up, but oh does it. What do I plan on keeping? Of course SPS with maybe a few nano fish.

Your tank is coming along quite nicely, it is very nice! You are doing a top notch job, I look forward to seing pictures once you get some water in it. Once again, you have a very nice tank.

Neil

Thanks Neil! Part of me is glad the project is getting close to the end, but part of me is sad. This has been a real blast planning, designing, and finally building. Don't want to let anyone down by dragging my feet, but gosh, once it's full of water, what will I get to use my power tools on?

 

[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. :hmm2:

 

[calvin415]

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.

 

[sacs4010]

Please...

Please...

Please keep up the posts. Getting good ideas from this.

Bradley C Sacs

 

[Jovreefer]

It looks amazing and well planned...my only question is why did you make it so the corner was right in the middle of the viewing area?

 

[calvin415]

Re: Please...

Re: Please...

Please keep up the posts. Getting good ideas from this.

Bradley C Sacs

No problem bro, take a look late tonight, I should be able to get some pics posted.

 

[calvin415]

It looks amazing and well planned...my only question is why did you make it so the corner was right in the middle of the viewing area?

By corner I assume you are meaning the front corner and that's not the viewing area to me.

I did it this way for multiple reasons. I wanted to have 2 viewing side instead of just one not to mention make the tank bigger. Let me explain... If I went with a corner pentagon, 24x24x20 and chop the front corner off, the tank would only be about 25 gallons... When I designed the tank, my intention was to put this in the corner of my (home) office right between my desk and my couch which forms an L. With two viewing side I can look at the tank from my desk, and from my couch. If I did what you said, I wouldn't be able to see anything when seated (I'm lazy and do a lot of it ). Besides, who wants to see the same thing day in day out. With two viewing sides, the tank will appear different just moving from my desk to the couch or vice-versa.

 

[Jovreefer]

HaHa ok...just wondering cant waite to see corals in it

 

[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.

 

[floppyfish]

WOW! VERY nice work!

Good luck, I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[calvin415]

Thanks Floppyfish! I too can't wait!

 

[bkztrini465]

Eric, its coming along great. I wish I had that kind of talent with buildind stands and canopies. Great work on everything from the tank design to the canopy and stand! Can't wait to see water in it.
-Kris

 

[calvin415]

Thanks Kris! I don't know if patience is a talent though; really that's all it takes. I've got some small projects, like selling my 23 gallon nano, painting the office, staining and sealing the cabinet and canopy, building some shelfs, and what ever else my wife thinks up, but I hope to have the tank up and going as soon as I can. (This weekend if we can get our butts in gear...)