Hey guys,
I haven't been on this forum long but the advice I have read and received has been great. The time has finally come to start the build thread since I feel like I am finally starting to make progress. I have not had a fish tank since I was in Jr. High (long time) and this will be my first SW tank. Please give me as much advise as possible since I walking into unknown territory.
If you read the other threads I started this is kinda like a trial tank to see if I enjoy the hobby as much as I think I will. If I do, when I move next year I will try and to a large in the wall system. Now lets get to the build.
I went with an Oceanic 58 Center Reef Ready tank that I picked up from City Pets because where I am putting the tank I am limited to a 36" tank. Couldn't find a stand that I liked so I decided to build my own out of Maple and then stain it to match the cabinets in the house. So let the fun begin.
Started by building the structure part of the stand out of treat 2x4s
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546350339/
Then added some posts made from 2 2x4s screwed together and put a piece of maple plywood on the bottom. Felt I should caulk the heads of the screws so nothing is exposed to the SW just in case.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8547449096/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546352477/
I had to test out the tank to make sure the stand would support the tank and with something in it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546353199/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546351021/
Now it is time to add the skin on the cabinet along with the trim.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546358677/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8547455094/
Almost done with that but started working on the canopy also.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8547456772/
Here it is finally built but I don't like building doors so I ordered those. They will be in tomorrow.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546361063/
Just put the stain on it yesterday and put it in the house. I had to raise the TV which is why you see the 2 holes in the wall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546356887/
And the finished product minus the doors.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546356011/
So far I like the hobbie. Ha ha. I love playing with wood and building stuff if you haven't noticed.
I have some more progress that I will try to post tonight. It seems like it is not going to be a fast process getting this up and running but I am having a good time with it so far.
Can someone tell me how to post the photos so they automaticly pop up. I hate clicking on links.
I haven't been on this forum long but the advice I have read and received has been great. The time has finally come to start the build thread since I feel like I am finally starting to make progress. I have not had a fish tank since I was in Jr. High (long time) and this will be my first SW tank. Please give me as much advise as possible since I walking into unknown territory.
If you read the other threads I started this is kinda like a trial tank to see if I enjoy the hobby as much as I think I will. If I do, when I move next year I will try and to a large in the wall system. Now lets get to the build.
I went with an Oceanic 58 Center Reef Ready tank that I picked up from City Pets because where I am putting the tank I am limited to a 36" tank. Couldn't find a stand that I liked so I decided to build my own out of Maple and then stain it to match the cabinets in the house. So let the fun begin.
Started by building the structure part of the stand out of treat 2x4s
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546350339/
Then added some posts made from 2 2x4s screwed together and put a piece of maple plywood on the bottom. Felt I should caulk the heads of the screws so nothing is exposed to the SW just in case.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8547449096/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546352477/
I had to test out the tank to make sure the stand would support the tank and with something in it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546353199/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546351021/
Now it is time to add the skin on the cabinet along with the trim.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546358677/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8547455094/
Almost done with that but started working on the canopy also.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8547456772/
Here it is finally built but I don't like building doors so I ordered those. They will be in tomorrow.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546361063/
Just put the stain on it yesterday and put it in the house. I had to raise the TV which is why you see the 2 holes in the wall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546356887/
And the finished product minus the doors.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51844339@N06/8546356011/
So far I like the hobbie. Ha ha. I love playing with wood and building stuff if you haven't noticed.
I have some more progress that I will try to post tonight. It seems like it is not going to be a fast process getting this up and running but I am having a good time with it so far.
Can someone tell me how to post the photos so they automaticly pop up. I hate clicking on links.