I just finished my stand...a maple with rope trim and canopy with multiple doors. If you are going to oder doors be careful because some doors will have birch centers and they will take stain differently. I need to take some pics of mine and post them. Before you polyurethane, fill the brad nail holes with the tinted putty that minwax offers, or you can actually custome mix the color like I did on mine, by using two different colors, it works quite good.
Another Custom Stand Construction Thread- 120 Gal.
- Thread starter marino420td
- Start date
OldmillXxX
Premium Member
I know it is a little off topic, but with the amount of people now involved in this thread I thought it would be a good time for a quick question...Has anyone ever built a stand with engineered wood? I'm referring to the stuff that people make decks out of, you know, the plastic and wood mix? It would already be waterproof, but I do not know how it compares in strength. Using it for decks would give the impression that it is strong, but is it really?
Any thoughts or experiences?
Any thoughts or experiences?
Old Mill,
I haven't built a stand with the engineered wood but I know that some of the stuff is pretty flexible. on decks with Trex I believe you need to do a 12" on center or you get bowing. With the decking at least. Alot of decks i've seen use standard pressure treated lumber for the main part / Load bearing points and only the composite or vinyl for the decking.
Mark
I haven't built a stand with the engineered wood but I know that some of the stuff is pretty flexible. on decks with Trex I believe you need to do a 12" on center or you get bowing. With the decking at least. Alot of decks i've seen use standard pressure treated lumber for the main part / Load bearing points and only the composite or vinyl for the decking.
Mark
ByteStalker
New member
Plastic 2x4's such as Trex need additional bracing when building a deck. It will flex more than wood and will sag. So I wouldn't use it to hold up a tank or for structural support. It can be bent into interesting shapes.
OldmillXxX
Premium Member
Thanks. I figured as much, but thought perhaps someone got ambitious, or gutsy and tried it.
This hobby thrives on trial and error. Perhaps someone will chime in that has attempted it.
This hobby thrives on trial and error. Perhaps someone will chime in that has attempted it.
It's probably just better to build the stand and then take the time to line the inside using some type of plastic, custom fit. If I can find the parkland plastic sheeting product anywhere, that's what I'll do.
I imagine that composite decking is far more expensive per foot than red oak or other furniture type matericals.
jp
I imagine that composite decking is far more expensive per foot than red oak or other furniture type matericals.
jp
marino420td
Premium Member
polyurethane has been applied. 3 coats with a light sanding between each.
Now on to find some doors and figure out the design of the canopy.
Now on to find some doors and figure out the design of the canopy.
SHORTYSDROP
New member
Can't wait to see the tank finished and running. If I were in your place I'd be so anxious I could't sleep LOL.
SHORTYSDROP
New member
By the way i would rate this in the top 2 tank stands that I've seen excellant workmanship and well thought out.
marino420td
Premium Member
shortysdrop, thanks for the kind words. I am quite anxious to get everything running. I ordered doors for the stand today and they will arrive in a week or so. I began to tally up the costs of everything I need to buy for this tank and it was eye opening. This definitely isn't a cheap hobby!
marino420td
Premium Member
vaughan5, thanks for the compliment. I will build a canopy that has a similar design to the stand. I'm still trying to think of the exact design. I'm trying to think of a way to increase my accessability (sp?) to the tank and how to keep the weight down. The stand weighs a ton and that has me concerned about the canopy and the tank's ability to support it.
cerreta
Premium Member
Marino, i have been following along for awhile now. Your ideas have sparked ideas of my own, for building a stand, thanks. I truly like your trim work, and am still toying with the idea of doing that to my sleleton, but it really does not match any furniture in my home.
Anyhow, I have just completed a canopy and thought you may be able to grab a few ideas from my design.
Due to the overall height of the system, I wanted a front access canopy. It is to replace a lid opening style canopy, which blinded everyone in the room when lifting the lid. I was toying with the idea of putting the VHOs on a movable rack to slide it out the back of the canopy for more access into the tank, however, it was not necessary. I have plenty of room in there to reach to the bottom of the tank. If I need a couple more inches of headroom, I can simply remove the vho bulbs.
The other advantage to the front opening canopy is easy fish feeding, and good lighting when trying to move things around. The total canopy hieght is 16". It also raised my halides up quite a bit, thus giving better light distribution to the tanks and the system runs much cooler too.
Here is the link:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=779606
Anyhow, I have just completed a canopy and thought you may be able to grab a few ideas from my design.
Due to the overall height of the system, I wanted a front access canopy. It is to replace a lid opening style canopy, which blinded everyone in the room when lifting the lid. I was toying with the idea of putting the VHOs on a movable rack to slide it out the back of the canopy for more access into the tank, however, it was not necessary. I have plenty of room in there to reach to the bottom of the tank. If I need a couple more inches of headroom, I can simply remove the vho bulbs.
The other advantage to the front opening canopy is easy fish feeding, and good lighting when trying to move things around. The total canopy hieght is 16". It also raised my halides up quite a bit, thus giving better light distribution to the tanks and the system runs much cooler too.
Here is the link:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=779606
marino420td
Premium Member
Thanks gmatt. I have also been following your thread. Nice design. I can't wait to see your finished.
marino420td
Premium Member
I just ordered the 4 doors and should have them in next week. All in, I will have about $500 in materials. This includes the price of the wood, which I still have some leftover.
marino420td
Premium Member
It is finally finished!
It is finally finished!
The doors came in and I got them finished and installed today. The stand is complete!
Now on to the canopy.
It is finally finished!
The doors came in and I got them finished and installed today. The stand is complete!
Now on to the canopy.
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