Custom Cabinet for 90g Reef (Build Thread)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14778775#post14778775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedEDGE2k1
Yes I think so. Mine is only about 19" wide and it's rock solid.

-Dustin
Dustin --- Will I have a problem if the "Header" does not fit exactly flush with the top of the plywood?
Thanks ---
Chris
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14785894#post14785894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yankee26th
Dustin --- Will I have a problem if the "Header" does not fit exactly flush with the top of the plywood?
Thanks ---
Chris

Shouldn't be a big deal. Like I said before, if I were to build mine all over again, I wouldn't even include the header.

-Dustin
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14785966#post14785966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedEDGE2k1
Shouldn't be a big deal. Like I said before, if I were to build mine all over again, I wouldn't even include the header.

-Dustin
Thank you.
By the way, I had to buy Birch plywood. It was the only thing that wasn't warped at HD.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14785980#post14785980 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yankee26th
Thank you.
By the way, I had to buy Birch plywood. It was the only thing that wasn't warped at HD.

now why does that not surprise me?

J
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14785966#post14785966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedEDGE2k1
Shouldn't be a big deal. Like I said before, if I were to build mine all over again, I wouldn't even include the header.

-Dustin
Hey Dustin ---
I just finished, for the most part, my stand. I want to thank you very much for your stand design. I have looked at many designs in RC. I found yours to be the easiest to build, it gives me alot of room for my equipment and it is sturdy like a rock.

In a few weeks I'm going to be starting my own 180 gallon build thread in the Large Tanks forum. There have been many people that have offered their help and advised. In the thread I will be thanking those people that have help me with the process. I will be sure to mention your input. I'll let you know when I start the build thread.

Thanks again ---
Chris :thumbsup:
 
So I just spent the better part of an afternoon reading this thread from the beginning.

First off, I noticed you said you haven't ever done this before, Dang man, you have Mad Skills!! TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY!!! Gives me encouragement for my 72bowfront project.

I have many questions for you since I'm in the middle of this whole thing myself, Would you mind if I bounced a few Q's off you via PM?

And Secondly, I was excited when I first saw your hinges as I have been looking for some myself and those euro. ones you have to bore look like a lot of work. However, totally bummed when they rusted so quickly.

What have you found so far for a replacement? or Can you keep us posted? I'm sure I'm not the only noob lookin for something like this.

Thanks in advance
Ryan
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14789659#post14789659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefjeeper
So I just spent the better part of an afternoon reading this thread from the beginning.

First off, I noticed you said you haven't ever done this before, Dang man, you have Mad Skills!! TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY!!! Gives me encouragement for my 72bowfront project.

I have many questions for you since I'm in the middle of this whole thing myself, Would you mind if I bounced a few Q's off you via PM?

And Secondly, I was excited when I first saw your hinges as I have been looking for some myself and those euro. ones you have to bore look like a lot of work. However, totally bummed when they rusted so quickly.

What have you found so far for a replacement? or Can you keep us posted? I'm sure I'm not the only noob lookin for something like this.

Thanks in advance
Ryan

Why ask questions via PM? Would the rest of us not benefit from the answers?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14789659#post14789659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefjeeper
I have many questions for you since I'm in the middle of this whole thing myself, Would you mind if I bounced a few Q's off you via PM?

Feel free to ask in this thread, so others can see as well.

And Secondly, I was excited when I first saw your hinges as I have been looking for some myself and those euro. ones you have to bore look like a lot of work. However, totally bummed when they rusted so quickly.

What have you found so far for a replacement? or Can you keep us posted? I'm sure I'm not the only noob lookin for something like this.

Rockler sells stainless steel non-mortise hinges as well. I should have bought them the first time but wasn't thinking about it. I replaced the nickel plated hinges (the rusted ones) with the new stainless steel hinges and they're rust free to date. They were pricey, about $20 for two. But, they're much stronger than the $7 nickel plated hinges, so I was able to use 2 per door rather than the old 4 per door.

-Dustin
 
well i mainly didn't want to hijack this thread with my project issues but, if all is cool then I will ask as they arise! thanks!

Dustin, do you have a link for those new hinges? I looked a few times but came up with only a few euro mortise types(look like a big PITA to setup right)

Thanks!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14792467#post14792467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefjeeper
well i mainly didn't want to hijack this thread with my project issues but, if all is cool then I will ask as they arise! thanks!

Dustin, do you have a link for those new hinges? I looked a few times but came up with only a few euro mortise types(look like a big PITA to setup right)

Thanks!

I don't have a link, I bought them at my local Rockler store.

A head's up, the mortise hinges (the ones you have to bore a hole in the door for) are MUCH easier to install and adjust. The only reason I didn't go that route was my cabinet door supplier forgot to bore the holes, and I was too impatient to send them back and wait any longer.

I'd definitely recommend the mortise hinges. They're not at all difficult, much easier in fact. Have a local cabinet shop bore your cabinet doors, only takes a second and shouldn't cost much (if anything).

-Dustin
 
Thats a good idea(having a cabinet shop do the bore), but now I can't find stainless for faceframe cabinets. I just started the search though so I'll keep looking. I have never done any cabinet work before and never realized how many different types of hinges there are! Seems I have a bit of a learning curve to climb at the moment but the project must go on!
 
Early last week I noticed Red Bugs on one of my SPS coral frags that I bought from a local reefer. I tossed the frag, as it was dying anyway (realizing why). The next day I saw the bugs on my favorite coral, a blue acro, so I knew it was time to do something. I called a local vet and explained why I needed Interceptor, and she prescribed one tablet to me "for aquarium use only." Cost $18.

One tablet treats about 400g of water, so I cut the tablet into four equal parts and dissolved one of those parts into a cup of tank water. When it was fully dissolved, I poured it in my tank.

6 hours later, I couldn't find a single red bug ANYWHERE in my tank. I was amazed! I did a 25% water change and installed a Phosban reactor loaded with activated carbon. 24hrs later I did another 25% water change, and all is well with the tank.

In other news, a plum-sized head of bubble algae found its way into my drain bulkhead while I was doing the 2nd water change (I had taken the durso out to clean it). You can imagine my surprise when I re-installed the durso and began pumping the new saltwater into my tank, and a few minutes later the water began pouring over the top edges of my tank and onto the floor. After a headache I had the bubble algae clog removed and water cleaned up.

Twas a fun weekend.

-Dustin
 
Dual purpose post: 1) anyone have a link to the latest sketchup model? The link on the first page or two was 2.93k but Sketchup-7 chokes on it saying it does not appear to be a sketchup model. This is my leading candidate after reviewing a ton of custom builds but I want to go with a 72" wide tank.

2) bump to bring this nice looking stand up from page 10 in the forum.
 
D...,
Thanks so much for sharing your design. I made a few mods that were required for my specifics...

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cHgNiPYk5ehT8ftdeg_Scg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-MpEwzGUqN0/SfTS3HL8e_I/AAAAAAAAD9I/6yvkqAvf8mM/s800/163g_Cabinet.jpg" /></a>

Mods already made
Basic dimension mods for a 163g tank 72 x 18 x 29h

Not enough width in my room to simply scale the original design as is so I removed the working area in the cover on the left and right (where the Vortech pumps would be enclosed. This saved me several inches.

Since I went with zero extra room in there I decided to put viewing windows on the sides.

Mods still to work...
I still need to shave another four inches or so. I can play with various options to squeeze them out.

I'm thinking of working the shelf design on the right hand side in the room corner but will play with that as well. Maybe round the corner a touch with the shelf?

The height of the whole unit is only as tall as the door. I hadn't noticed until I placed the model of the stand into the model of my room. I may raise the height of the whole thing depending on how the models look when I tweak it.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LwfhOSf4v2MGD-HNIo7aRw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-MpEwzGUqN0/SfTeVfRceEI/AAAAAAAAD8w/jAZWi698RQs/s800/1st%20floor.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JjO0kz2jvZ0iQVIM6BVnQQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-MpEwzGUqN0/SfTeXxSvZmI/AAAAAAAAD84/1KWV3EBgPPk/s800/1st%20floor%20b.jpg" /></a>

By the way, your model was SOOOO easy to work with and make these mods. The way you made everything components and had separate layers was awesome. As a new SketchUp modeler, I learned more from your example than the tutorials!

Thanks
 
Any chance in sharing your sketchup file? Awesome job by the way. I tried the link but it was down! Maybe someone can PM me or send it via email....tskinner2002@hotmail.com Thanks again and its beautiful....
 
I hope Dustin does not mind, but I sent you the model. The only change I made to his file was to label the layers to make it easier to show/hide certain elements of the model.
 
Latest full tank shots --

SideView-20090509.jpg


FTS-20090509.jpg
 
Wow, I just added a 2nd Vortech pump to my tank (on the opposite side wall) and WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES. I swear the corals almost instantly showed greater polyp extension with the added flow.

I set one pump to "master" and one to "slave." in Reef Crest mode, with the slave in anti-sync (so that it does the opposite of the master pump). This creates a rapid & random back & forth flow throughout the tank, and really is something you just have to see.

I played with the pulse mode, which is used to create a standing wave in the tank, but I stopped short because the wave action was (no joke) about to rattle my green digi colony off of the rock it's on.

If you don't have a Vortech, get one! (or two!)

In other news, I added three ORA frags to the tank from my LFS (they had a buy 2, get 1 free deal going on). I got the Blue VooDoo, Bellina, and Bottlebrush. $135 total.

-Dustin
 
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