Another Custom Stand Construction Thread- 120 Gal.

[marino420td]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7070016#post7070016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alien9168
I like how it opens!

-alien

I did not want to reach over a piece of wood to get into the tank. I have to do that with my current tank and it hurts. plus I get saltwater all over it when I take my arm out of the tank.

i'm following your lead. I think i might try to make the doors though, if i can find the right wood i wanna use. I went with pine b/c of cost and availability in the Northeast. Canopy looks good!!! You've been a great help!! Here are some images of the stand i built this weekend... i need to fine sand and add the top rail trim, however, the door it's going thru is only 30" so i'm at 29 right now and don't want to take a chance scratchin on the way in, so it will have to be added in the living room.

Nice job. Doors should not be a problem if you have the right tools. I do not have the tools to build raised panel doors so that is why I bought them. You work fast. You'll be passing me by soon.

first one is for the bike fans

Ape Hangers on a Sportster! Nice. It was nice enough here today to ride for a short while. But it got cold quick as the sun went down.

 

[good one]

ya, the bike came with drag bars, but i think its more comfortable with the ape hangers i also put an s&S carb on it for more horsepower, i could do wheelies on this thing!! Sorry to hijack the thread for this

 

[ti-christ]

I hope to see the canopy soon. You are a very good source for inspiration. Will you let your canopy back side wide open ? How are planning to finish the front of your canopy ?

Great job!!!

 

[ti-christ]

I hope to see your canopy finish!!!

Will you let the canopy back side wide open or you will close it and add fans ?

How are you planning to finish the front side of your canopy ? If you put doors, what will happen if you open completely the canopy front side!

Again, thank you for sharing your great works.

 

[marino420td]

There will be raised panel doors for each opening in the canopy. I actually picked them up yesterday and hope to finish them this weekend. As far as the doors on the front, I plan to have hardware installed that will keep them closed when the front is flipped open. The rest of the canopy is almost finished. I'll post some pics later today.

I haven't yet decided if the back (and top) will be open or not. The back probably will be for sure for ventilation.

 

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7136830#post7136830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ti-christ
I hope to see your canopy finish!!!

Will you let the canopy back side wide open or you will close it and add fans ?

How are you planning to finish the front side of your canopy ? If you put doors, what will happen if you open completely the canopy front side!

Again, thank you for sharing your great works.

Good question.

If you decide to add fans, are you going to incorperate them into this design...that could be triccky considering the complexity of the molding.

 

[marino420td]

I'm trying to avoid fans, especially on the end since there are nice doors. If I use fans, they will either go on top and blow down or on the back of the canopy

 

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7137357#post7137357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marino420td
I'm trying to avoid fans, especially on the end since there are nice doors. If I use fans, they will either go on top and blow down or on the back of the canopy

Ok.

 

[marino420td]

Canopy is almost complete!

Canopy is almost complete!

I'm so close to finishing I can taste it.

 

[marino420td]

A few more pics

A few more pics

This one gives you an idea of how the entire front opens.

The doors should be on later today.

 

[carpetride]

Lookin good! Are you going to seal the inside of the canopy with anything?

 

[alien9168]

WOW!

Thats really looking amazing!

Now you just need to get it out of the shop, throw some sand, rock, coral and fish in it and youll have the ocean in your living room
:lol:

Just kidn...take your time, its coming out great!

 

[DirtySouth056]

Nice Work

 

[londonloco]

I've been following this thread from the beginning. Awesome job. Your truly gifted, no matter what you say! Your stand/canopy is a piece of art! You'll love the 120g, I have one and am very happy with it. I've searched and haven't found dimensions of your stand or canopy. How high are both?? I am considering putting a canopy over my 120, but am concerned about heat. I posted a thread here, most say with fans I won't have a problem (I have two mag 9.5's that generate heat). I want to make the canopy 18" high, giving me options for height of my MH's. I have two 250W 14K MH mini pendants that I plan on attaching to the hood. I plan on having 2 lunar tracking moonlights, two 54W T5's for actinics, and fans of unknown positioning. I am also concerned about the look of such a high canopy, but your stand looks excellent with your tank, and am hoping it is 18" high, . Thanks, Loco

 

[marino420td]

All surfaces, including the inside of the stand and canopy, have at least 3 coats of polyurethane.

My stand is 37 1/4" tall to the top of the rail. The tank sits exactly 36" from the floor. The total height of the canopy is 18" but 1 1/2" of that is used to cover the tank trim. So the canopy is 16 1/2" tall from the top of the tank. Total height from floor to the top of the canopy is 78 1/4.

I did not get the doors completely finished today but will tomorrow. I'll get them installed then give you some final pictures to finish up this thread.

Thank for your interest in this project.

 

[londonloco]

Thankyou Marino, you made my day. I've seen many pics of 6 foot tanks with taller canopys, but not 4 foot tanks. This makes my decision easier! Looking forward to a finished product!

 

[alien9168]

I cant wait to see the final pics. Awsome work dude :thumbsup:

 

[marino420td]

Finished Product

Finished Product

It seems like a long time has passed since I started this project. But it is finally finished. I have enjoyed building this stand and canopy and I think it will look great in my family room.

For those that do not want to recap the entire thread, this stand is made of 2X4 lumber skinned with solid maple. Stain is Sherwin Williams Classic Cherry. Then covered in several coats of polyurethane. It is made to hold a 48X24X24 120 gallon tank. All of the tank trim is hidden by the stand and canopy. The stand is 37 3/4" tall including the railing. The canopy is 18" tall. Total height from floor to the top of the canopy is 78 1/4".

One feature that I really like is the fact that hardly any end grain is exposed. The only visible end grain on the project is what is exposed on the raised panel doors.

I also like the flip top canopy. This will allow easy access to the tank for maintenance and aquascaping. The doors will allow easy, day to day access.

Thanks to all who have followed my progress and provided much needed advice. Reef Central is a wonderful place to gain knowledge and ask for advice- even on woodworking projects!

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. I'll be happy to answer.

Now the real work (and spending) begins. Enjoy the pics.

 

[20 20]

All right, ya convinced me. I'll buy it!!!

 

[Black71gp]

looks amazing.. how come the canopy pillers are a little smaller than the stand?