David - Miami
Aquanot!
Looks good. How do you access the top with that canopy? It looks like the front does not open.
Custom 160 Build Thread - Finally!!
- Thread starter Jgoal55
- Start date
Jgoal55
Active member
Thanks David. The front does not open. I thought about that but then decided that I liked the look better without it being hinged at all. However, the rooftop will be hinged and will open almost to 90 degrees . Also, there is a small opening for daily stuff, mainly food.
On another note, here is a question for all of you that I thought of today. I have no plans to stain the inside of the stand or the canopy for that matter. But I do want to protect it from splash, etc. Would it be safe to use an oil based paint of similar color for all the interior parts?
On another note, here is a question for all of you that I thought of today. I have no plans to stain the inside of the stand or the canopy for that matter. But I do want to protect it from splash, etc. Would it be safe to use an oil based paint of similar color for all the interior parts?
iamwrasseman
New member
iwould just poly it or you can use food safe type paint and that will accomidate your needs .
You could use a epoxy primer that would seal it. You can get it at any store that sells marine paint or at Glue Products in Lake Worth. I also so bought some glass from Felix after reading the beginning of this post. Great guy thanks for the info on him. I'll post a build thread when I start to assemble the tank.
ahoyhoy239
Member
ive seen alot of people use white Kilz paint for water protection and maybe help reflect some light back to the tank, other wise polyurethane or spar varnish will work well while keeping the look of wood and not just white paint.
fwiw, my old 92 corner had a canopy that only opened on the top and i wanted to cut it up and hinge it so it gives me full access to the front. I have long arms and it really was a PITA to reach the sandbed and far corners of the tank. I dont think ill ever have a canopy again that doesnt give me that full access. maybe you can still modify it in the future if you find that you want to change but either way that stand and canopy look awesome, cant wait to see more
Jgoal55
Active member
well, we did some touching up today and added another coat of stain. it looks even better than before but once again the couple of pics I took for whatever reason just make the stain look all blotchy and uneven so basically the same as the pictures already here.
Tomorrow, were going to add a coat of sanding sealer and then give it a light sanding with some very fine steel wool. Hopefully the pics tomorrow will show up better. Going to try a different camera or some different settings.
As for the poly, epoxy, and Kilz, I thought about those (not the Kilz, does it come in different colors, the waterproofing one?) but was trying to find something at least similar in color so its not totally off. Also, I guess many things will seal it, but I guess the over arching questions is which ones are reef safe for sure? While obviously none of this stuff necessarily comes in contact with the water, I imagine some of these paints can leach out chemicals, no?
287C, Felix told me your story man......wow. Gluck with the new build and definitely keep us posted. Glad you he was able to help you out.
ahoyahoy239, totally hear you and believe it or not I couldnt agree more. My decision came down to the simple fact that Im pretty short (5' 8"). My stand is extra high (42" T) so basically one way or the other, I was going to need a ladder/ step stool to reach anywhere inside the tank. So, I have the easy access door for daily things, but when necessary, I can just pop open the "roof" to really get in there. But yeah, if this was a normal hight stand I would have definitely made the front fully accessible.
Tomorrow, were going to add a coat of sanding sealer and then give it a light sanding with some very fine steel wool. Hopefully the pics tomorrow will show up better. Going to try a different camera or some different settings.
As for the poly, epoxy, and Kilz, I thought about those (not the Kilz, does it come in different colors, the waterproofing one?) but was trying to find something at least similar in color so its not totally off. Also, I guess many things will seal it, but I guess the over arching questions is which ones are reef safe for sure? While obviously none of this stuff necessarily comes in contact with the water, I imagine some of these paints can leach out chemicals, no?
287C, Felix told me your story man......wow. Gluck with the new build and definitely keep us posted. Glad you he was able to help you out.
ahoyahoy239, totally hear you and believe it or not I couldnt agree more. My decision came down to the simple fact that Im pretty short (5' 8"). My stand is extra high (42" T) so basically one way or the other, I was going to need a ladder/ step stool to reach anywhere inside the tank. So, I have the easy access door for daily things, but when necessary, I can just pop open the "roof" to really get in there. But yeah, if this was a normal hight stand I would have definitely made the front fully accessible.
Jgoal55
Active member
Ok, so the stand and canopy are all about done. Im going to add one more coat of poly tomorrow (which makes it 3 total).
I painted the inside of the stand (havent gotten to the canopy yet) with some left over white high-gloss exterior latex paint that I had. It looks pretty awesome but it still needs another coat or two.
Other than that, I plan to have the tank on the stand by Monday or Tuesday at the latest so Ill have some pics for you all by then.
I painted the inside of the stand (havent gotten to the canopy yet) with some left over white high-gloss exterior latex paint that I had. It looks pretty awesome but it still needs another coat or two.
Other than that, I plan to have the tank on the stand by Monday or Tuesday at the latest so Ill have some pics for you all by then.
Jgoal55
Active member
OK......so, barring any set backs, the tank will be up on the stand this evening......stand and canopy are finished and looking nice. All I have to do is make a slight adjustment to the canopy because I forgot to account for the external overflow.....which Ill prob do later in the week after my move.
Today, I picked up the acrylic insert that creates teeth for the overflow. We'll be putting that in tonight as well.....pics to come.....wish me luck.
Today, I picked up the acrylic insert that creates teeth for the overflow. We'll be putting that in tonight as well.....pics to come.....wish me luck.
AquamanE
Active member
Tagging along. Nice build!
Im a die hard also, but cant say im looking forward to this.
Im a die hard also, but cant say im looking forward to this.
Jgoal55
Active member
Don't remind me. Honestly, I expected bad...but not like this. And of course, it just got worse. That said, Id rather see Henne go 0-16 than watch Penny go 0-16. Only because at least that way we get to see him play and see if he really is our future or not.
Jgoal55
Active member
And it's finally up!
And it's finally up!
Well, while its not yet close to finished (sill need doors and side panels), the tank is finally up and I am super happy with the results. Many thanks yet again to Felix from Reef Savvy who came by to silicone the acrylic piece that went into the overflow and to help lift the tank into place.
I suck with pictures and I forgot to take one of the acrylic piece but you can kind of see what it did in one of the shots. Also, I forgot the camera so these are high quality iPhone pics instead.
As I mentioned, I painted the inside of the stand with some left over High-Gloss Interior/Exterior latex paint. I also siliconed the inside of the stand along all the wood joints just in case that day comes (and knowing me, it will).
Along the top of the stand I applied two coats of poly and also siliconed the joints there.
The tank still is not in its final resting place but at least now you can all get an idea of what a monster this is.
Enjoy the pics!
Canopy Stain Color Detail:
Stand from Right Side (against wall):
Stand from Left Side:
And it's up!!!!!:
Side View (the reason the canopy sticks out so far back is because there is a side panel that connects to that protruding piece that blocks the view of the overflow from the hallway where I took the picture. Basically when the tank is up against the wall all you will be able to see is furniture. The side panels are removable so I can access the back and check the overflow with ease):
Acrylic Teeth (cut by Manny at Aquarama):
And finally, one more little toy that arrived today!!!:
And it's finally up!
Well, while its not yet close to finished (sill need doors and side panels), the tank is finally up and I am super happy with the results. Many thanks yet again to Felix from Reef Savvy who came by to silicone the acrylic piece that went into the overflow and to help lift the tank into place.
I suck with pictures and I forgot to take one of the acrylic piece but you can kind of see what it did in one of the shots. Also, I forgot the camera so these are high quality iPhone pics instead.
As I mentioned, I painted the inside of the stand with some left over High-Gloss Interior/Exterior latex paint. I also siliconed the inside of the stand along all the wood joints just in case that day comes (and knowing me, it will).
Along the top of the stand I applied two coats of poly and also siliconed the joints there.
The tank still is not in its final resting place but at least now you can all get an idea of what a monster this is.
Enjoy the pics!
Canopy Stain Color Detail:
Stand from Right Side (against wall):
Stand from Left Side:
And it's up!!!!!:
Side View (the reason the canopy sticks out so far back is because there is a side panel that connects to that protruding piece that blocks the view of the overflow from the hallway where I took the picture. Basically when the tank is up against the wall all you will be able to see is furniture. The side panels are removable so I can access the back and check the overflow with ease):
Acrylic Teeth (cut by Manny at Aquarama):
And finally, one more little toy that arrived today!!!:
David - Miami
Aquanot!
Did you make the side panels of the bottom removable? I am not being critical, just curious?
Jgoal55
Active member
You mean of the top? The side panel is removable all the way from the bottom of the protruding piece down to the floor. I wanted to be able to access the stand from behind if necessary.
Oh and please.....no worries about being critical.....that's how ill learn for the next one
Oh and please.....no worries about being critical.....that's how ill learn for the next one
adamblackburn22
New member
Well done!
David - Miami
Aquanot!
That is one sweet setup. I am sure there are great things to come.
Jgoal55
Active member
Thanks guys.....I think the sump may be ready by the end of the week so if I had to guess I'd say Ill have water in this thing in the next 2-3 weeks. I want to take my time and make sure every piece of the stand is done and that I figure out the exact layout of the inside of the stand before I add water.
I want OCD style neatness in there so I have to figure out where I am going to mount all the equipment.
I want OCD style neatness in there so I have to figure out where I am going to mount all the equipment.
