Complete DIY Custom 144x15x15
- Thread starter calvin415
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calvin415
New member
Okay, so no opinions of the new top idea... That bad huh???
Here's an update... Basement is done (pending inspection Monday) As long as we pass, we'll be clear to run full speed ahead on the tank. All that's left is some paint touch-ups hence the tape is still down.
I know some of you will be heartbroken, but here are the final shots of the stairs. LOL!
Tank in the background...
Here's an update... Basement is done (pending inspection Monday) As long as we pass, we'll be clear to run full speed ahead on the tank. All that's left is some paint touch-ups hence the tape is still down.
I know some of you will be heartbroken, but here are the final shots of the stairs. LOL!
Tank in the background...
nauticac4
Baby Fish Wrangler
How are you going to mount everything in the center of the canopy (hinges ect.)? You could leave enough space in between the doos to mount the canopy or mount them on the top of the doors and make a top for them to hide them. Everything looks good I have been excited watching this one.
calvin415
New member
Thanks redtop. 
I'm planning on mounting the lights directly to the top/lid 2 at a time so I can open it and have the lights come out with it. While I won't be able to turn of the lights unless I kill all 4 it will at least allow me to get into the tank for minor stuff without pulling the entire canopy off.
Ordered another 660 today, just have to find some endcaps, reflectors and bulbs. Of course then I have to come up with another $160 for 3 15' wires.
So close yet so far away...
Anyone have some suggestions for wood? I want it to be light, but still resist water. I was thinking honduras mahogany but I can't bring myself to paint wood like that... Pine would be good and light, but I'm afraid it will warp in no time. Ideas? Would bottom trim and canopy stained with painted cabinet doors look out of place?
I'm planning on mounting the lights directly to the top/lid 2 at a time so I can open it and have the lights come out with it. While I won't be able to turn of the lights unless I kill all 4 it will at least allow me to get into the tank for minor stuff without pulling the entire canopy off.
Ordered another 660 today, just have to find some endcaps, reflectors and bulbs. Of course then I have to come up with another $160 for 3 15' wires.
So close yet so far away... Anyone have some suggestions for wood? I want it to be light, but still resist water. I was thinking honduras mahogany but I can't bring myself to paint wood like that... Pine would be good and light, but I'm afraid it will warp in no time. Ideas? Would bottom trim and canopy stained with painted cabinet doors look out of place?
redtop03
moved slow
I would do something to match your staircase,it looks awesome
use a combination of stained wood and painted,
you could use cabinet doors on the stand with raised painted panels and stained rail & stiles,and paint the canopy and trim with stained wood
I've seen a Lowe's a .25 inch 4 x 8 sheet of white plastic like stuff I think is for use in damp locations,that stuff should be light weight and it would stand up to the moisture well.I don't know how well it would take paint though.
that's just my thoughts,I'm sure however you do it is gonna look great.
about the light mount,I thought you'd have to mount to the lids if not they'd be in the way for feeding and such.
you ever notice how stressful this relaxing hobby gets
use a combination of stained wood and painted,
you could use cabinet doors on the stand with raised painted panels and stained rail & stiles,and paint the canopy and trim with stained wood
I've seen a Lowe's a .25 inch 4 x 8 sheet of white plastic like stuff I think is for use in damp locations,that stuff should be light weight and it would stand up to the moisture well.I don't know how well it would take paint though.
that's just my thoughts,I'm sure however you do it is gonna look great.
about the light mount,I thought you'd have to mount to the lids if not they'd be in the way for feeding and such.
you ever notice how stressful this relaxing hobby gets
redtop03
moved slow
calvin,
I just reread your last post again,didn't get it the first time before I posted,its early just got out a bed
stained canopy and bottom trim would look nice
you could still use the white plastic like stuff from lowes for the walls of the top and use wood for the lids and trim the edges of the lids to match the stand,but you'd have to build some kind of frame still for the top,don't know if it'd help with weight but I think it'd look good.
I just reread your last post again,didn't get it the first time before I posted,its early just got out a bed
stained canopy and bottom trim would look nice
you could still use the white plastic like stuff from lowes for the walls of the top and use wood for the lids and trim the edges of the lids to match the stand,but you'd have to build some kind of frame still for the top,don't know if it'd help with weight but I think it'd look good.
hey, just read this thread from the begining today wow. you are an inspiration to all DIYers...
I have always wanted a canopy on a rail.. so u can just push it all the way out of the way, even for minor things.. this way all its doing is like opening a drawer and ur free to work on it unobstructed.... is that something that u might be interested in if ur still plannin ur canopy?
wow. you are an inspiration to all DIYers... I have always wanted a canopy on a rail.. so u can just push it all the way out of the way, even for minor things.. this way all its doing is like opening a drawer and ur free to work on it unobstructed.... is that something that u might be interested in if ur still plannin ur canopy?
calvin415
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13388776#post13388776 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redtop03
I would do something to match your staircase,it looks awesome
use a combination of stained wood and painted,
you could use cabinet doors on the stand with raised painted panels and stained rail & stiles,and paint the canopy and trim with stained wood
I've seen a Lowe's a .25 inch 4 x 8 sheet of white plastic like stuff I think is for use in damp locations,that stuff should be light weight and it would stand up to the moisture well.I don't know how well it would take paint though.
that's just my thoughts,I'm sure however you do it is gonna look great.
about the light mount,I thought you'd have to mount to the lids if not they'd be in the way for feeding and such.
you ever notice how stressful this relaxing hobby gets
I can't stain the doors at all (they are MDF) so they will have to be painted... However, I could re-build the frame the doors mount to and stain that, but not sure how that would look.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13388793#post13388793 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redtop03
calvin,
I just reread your last post again,didn't get it the first time before I posted,its early just got out a bed
stained canopy and bottom trim would look nice
you could still use the white plastic like stuff from lowes for the walls of the top and use wood for the lids and trim the edges of the lids to match the stand,but you'd have to build some kind of frame still for the top,don't know if it'd help with weight but I think it'd look good.
LOL! Not sure about the white plastic stuff, I need something far more firm plus 12' long (wood), and if I were to line the canopy with it, it would be no different than just sealing the wood IMO. Thanks for the ideas though, I really appreciate you taking the time to think about this for me.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13390642#post13390642 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by apu701
hey, just read this thread from the begining today
I have always wanted a canopy on a rail.. so u can just push it all the way out of the way, even for minor things.. this way all its doing is like opening a drawer and ur free to work on it unobstructed.... is that something that u might be interested in if ur still plannin ur canopy?
I have a slide system on my Dad's setup (see red house) but I don't think this will work with such a limited space... The closest I could do would be to slide the entire canopy with a wall mounted slide, but because it will come down around the tank, it would have to lift before it could slide. Thanks for the idea though!
Funny, I was told the same thing earlier today.
Just a lot of work to run all those wires... Anyone have an online source for wiring so I can price it?Excuse me... Sorry.
calvin415
New member
Well inspection went okay yesterday, couple items to change... I hope to have another inspection this week for final sign off on the basement.
Biggest issue was electrical wanted a wall receptacle installed in the tank stand... Their reasoning, is that it is a permenant stand (not mobile) so they have to consider it a wall and walls must have a receptacle within 6'. I already ran the wire, installed the box and hooked up the outlet, but have to just connect it to the existing wiring to make it hot.
Biggest issue was electrical wanted a wall receptacle installed in the tank stand... Their reasoning, is that it is a permenant stand (not mobile) so they have to consider it a wall and walls must have a receptacle within 6'. I already ran the wire, installed the box and hooked up the outlet, but have to just connect it to the existing wiring to make it hot.
MSU Fan
Active member
Maybe I am reading this wrong, but I would not mount the light to the portion of the canopy that opens. You will regret that if you need to work in the tank...in the dark. It makes it much much harder.
I cannot recall how many bulbs you were planning to use, but maybe there is some halfway ground on this so some lighting stays over the tank while some come out with the opening feature of the canopy?
Another option is to have the canopy open the way you sketched, and then put the entire front half or so on pneumatic "shocks" which could then elevate the entire front half of the canopy (if you don't already have a way to get the canopy out of the way).
calvin415
New member
There will still be sufficient lighting.
There will be two doors (hinged in the center) per section and each door will have 2 bulbs. Should still be plenty of light to work, and if I need complete access to the tank, then I'll lift the tank using cables and pulleys and I'll still have the ability to leave all the lights on.
There will be two doors (hinged in the center) per section and each door will have 2 bulbs. Should still be plenty of light to work, and if I need complete access to the tank, then I'll lift the tank using cables and pulleys and I'll still have the ability to leave all the lights on.
speedo2wet
Sharks!!!!
Aw man - I just went through 28 pages and no WATER!! lol kidding. Nice job man. Stairs look...no words. I honor u a DIY guru like I saw back in the thread. I can not wait to see that tank with water in it. I'd be scared crazy to leak and pressure test. Now lets see that tank with water in it....
therealbobbyt
New member
So you want a waterproof canopy that won't cost an arm and a leg that you won't feel bad painting???
I had the same issue on my 46 gal bowfront. The canopies available were all plastic and too short for my lighting needs.
My solution was to create a light weight framework that matched the radius of the tank. I used some cheap plywood to make the frame - a basic "stick build". Once things were tacked together, I wrapped the whole thing in fiberglass and then basted it with resin. After that, I used luon to cover the frame and then painted the inside with the fiberglass resin. Voila! A relatively cheap, incredibly light, very strong waterproof canopy.
I'll hunt for some pics. I did take some at each stage of construction, but am having trouble tracking them down.
BTW Calvin - AWESOME!!!!!!
I had the same issue on my 46 gal bowfront. The canopies available were all plastic and too short for my lighting needs.
My solution was to create a light weight framework that matched the radius of the tank. I used some cheap plywood to make the frame - a basic "stick build". Once things were tacked together, I wrapped the whole thing in fiberglass and then basted it with resin. After that, I used luon to cover the frame and then painted the inside with the fiberglass resin. Voila! A relatively cheap, incredibly light, very strong waterproof canopy.
I'll hunt for some pics. I did take some at each stage of construction, but am having trouble tracking them down.
BTW Calvin - AWESOME!!!!!!
Wow! those must be some strong cables to lift the tank. :lol:
What about wiring the lights where the lights on one side are wired together. For example:
lamp wired together: 1's
lamp wired together: 2's
lamp wired together: 3's
___3___ ______1______ ______1______
___3___ ______1______ ______1______
---------------hinge line------------------------------
___3___ ______2______ ______2______
___3___ ______2______ ______2______
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