Firereef's shallow island build.

[firereef]

Since you used sand to hide the black edges of the island, are you going to do the same with the black on the bottom of the island?


I am also curious to know how high you intend to keep the island out of the water. Looking sweet so far!

The bottom is going to sit on top of the live rock underneath the water. Im going to build the aquascape below in a "O" shape so the island can sit in the middle. That way it hides the bottom of the island.

So basically, the black edges that I glued with sand will be flush with my water line with low waves from the tunze wave box to keep from wetting the island.

 

[bebereef]

That build will be fun to watch for sure!

 

[firereef]

Wood stand

Wood stand

Ok, so I'm tired of people flaking on me and giving me the run around. Just talk to my stand builder and I was told that my stand was going to be delayed

oh well, the show must move on. I will be making a trip to home depot tmrw to buy wood and tools to build my own stand and learn for future builds. Please chime in and assist me in buying the right tools and wood for this stand. What do I need?

*glue
*nails
*wood type
*primer
*finish and clear coat etc... Thanks.

 

[bvysochin]

Hey we built our stand out of 2x4s and ply. It's an open stand but would be easy to enclose for a finished look. If you want some tips or maybe borrow a few things that you don't have give Bog a call. He's at work now so he might answer if you call... LOL

 

[flamron]

Here is some "light" reading on stand building:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964&highlight=diy+stand

Scratch the nails and go with screws, IMO. Get the deck screws that are coated though. That way they don't rust on you.

 

[flamron]

I used that template - here is what mine turned out to be.

 

[firereef]

Hey we built our stand out of 2x4s and ply. It's an open stand but would be easy to enclose for a finished look. If you want some tips or maybe borrow a few things that you don't have give Bog a call. He's at work now so he might answer if you call... LOL

Thanks crystal. I'll let you know if I need something

 

[firereef]

I used that template - here is what mine turned out to be.

Wow. I'm gonna read that thread for sure. Thanks

 

[jefathome]

If you want to get the minimum to "get by", make sure you have a circular saw (hand held). If you want to step it up and do it "right", I'd get a Miter saw and a cheap table saw.

Those coated deck screws are DA BOMB... I use them for everything.

For skinning the stand, you will need (assuming you want a "wood" look)
Some sort of Plywood
wood stain
Polyurathane

DO NOT GET THE POLY/STAIN BLEND

You will also need some steel wool and some rags. Rags for the stain, steel wool to buff between coats of Poly.

For the interior of the stand, I used an Epoxy paint meant for garage floors. It is very durable and also water proof.

 

[Sinful Aquatics]

Looking good bro!

 

[DivineStler]

nope... because i'm posting and stuff... i'm on like life time probation over here... i can't see some pictures, have a sig or a avatar... that's what kills me the worst... i want an AVATAR!...



tanu... upload them on photobucket or something... LOL... i want to see...

lol, no wonder I can't see them either. was also wondering where my avatar went to! it all makes sense now. i plan on keeping it clean once this probation ends! that's gonna be a stretch though, considering what my original probation was for.

i wish i could see the pics, because this build sounds awesome!

 

[majorbonr]

OMG! Your tank ideas are super creative, hurry up man! Let's see some critter's in there!

 

[gumbii]

lol, no wonder I can't see them either. was also wondering where my avatar went to! it all makes sense now. i plan on keeping it clean once this probation ends! that's gonna be a stretch though, considering what my original probation was for.

i wish i could see the pics, because this build sounds awesome!

for some reason i could see the pics now... maybe because bgjoe logged in on my laptop and he took a gander at they... hmm...

 

[firereef]

The skimmer I will be using...

Decided to go all LEDs for this build so Im adding an LED strip for behind the tank to have a light background when my tank lights go out.

also an LED for the island spotlight. (wires will not show when done)

Sneak peek of the island. Still not done...

 

[Ian]

Sneak peek of the island. Still not done...

Looks good bro, lots of potential

 

[j-dizzle]

Great island idea!! cant wait to see more!

 

[russ13]

so cool.love the island

 

[Brando457]

be careful with that led strip behind the tank as the icecaps and other strips like that are very bright and can keep the fish awake during the evening.

 

[firereef]

be careful with that led strip behind the tank as the icecaps and other strips like that are very bright and can keep the fish awake during the evening.

Even if it's behind the tank? The tank is going to be raised higher when the stand is ready.

 

[firereef]

Great island idea!! cant wait to see more!

so cool.love the island

Thanks.

Thanks Ian. Potential to make me broke when it's done.