Mission Impossible: 90AGA

[Demeter]

I finally got a chance to stain the stand and the cap. I had an idea to bevel the door edges to give it a more finished look. That didn't work out very well. So back to HD to purchase another piece of 4'x8' 1/4" birch plywood. It worked out, though. I'm definitely learning from my mistakes.

The cap was a little more difficult this time around. But, it turned out OK considering I wasn't paying close attention to the router the first time.

Next, I have to paint the inside of the stand and cap. Then apply the a few coats of polyeurethane. I plan to use latex paint on the inside, is that OK?

 

[wiliiam]

home depot carries a water base 2 part epoxy. it works great for this app. I think it was 20.00

 

[wiliiam]

home depot carries a water base 2 part acrylic epoxy. it works great for this app. I think it was 20.00

 

[horn1004]

Demeter,
Copycat! I just did notice this thread. The stand looks great. Just like you, I'd rather have the stand built overkill than have to worry about it failing.

 

[Demeter]

Thanks horn1004. I was going to PM you about this thread. I was wondering how your setup was going. I'm interested in your plumbing setup, since that will be next for me. I took a look at the expenses you listed. I was thinking "No Way" until I started to add up mine. It adds up fast. Off to cut more wood....

 

[horn1004]

Demeter,
Yeah, the expenses really add up quick. I'll put some pics up of the plumbing once I get the bulkheads in.

 

[BlindRI]

Demeter,

Your making me think about it, thanks!

It looks great!

One question--what's the height from floor to water line?

**WAR IS CHAOS, THAT IS WHY THE AMERICANS ARE SO SUCCESSFUL AT IT.**

 

[Demeter]

BlindRI - The stand is 36" high. I'm planning a 4"-5" DSB, so it will be about 40" to the bottom; arounnd 63.5" at the top.

I added the molding to the cap and stand. It's not stained yet. That will get done over the weekend. I have a picture of the shelf for the overflow, if needed. I had some extra wood laying around and thought it was a good idea when I came across it in another (horn1004) post.

 

[know-it-all]

Nice work,
but what about rust?

BTW, I think the guy welding it up just didn't want to weld
aluminum (it's much more dificult).

 

[Demeter]

know - It's painted with rust-proof paint. I plan to add a few more coats of rustoleum to the inside frame. The total weight of the aquarium will be around 1400lbs. I'm not sure if aluminum can handle that kind of weight.

 

[yessongs]

Nice work,
but what about rust?

BTW, I think the guy welding it up just didn't want to weld
aluminum (it's much more dificult).

I was thinking the same thing since my 1st post on this thread.
At work we have a full metal shop and there is no doubt in my mind that aluminum can handle that weight load, we put a 29ft boat on a aluminum frame with alternating air bags so it would have the effect of being in a violent storm.
the boat looked like a mechanical bull ride!
so Demeter should have no problem sleeping at night.
BTW Demeter i glad you are using corner guard, it looks great. I have seen a lot of stands on RC without it
Great work keep the pic's coming

 

[Demeter]

Finally got the doors connected to the cap and stand. Here are a few pics...

Next I'll add the bulkheads and start installing the sump.

 

[Demeter]

Update:

I painted the inside of the cap and stand with water-resistant/rust-proof paint just to be safe. I installed the lights tonight, but didn't have enough wire to ground the light, so that will have to wait until tomorrow. I plan on installing the bulkheads, sump, CR, and plumbing this weekend. Hopefully everything gets delivered on time. I'm still researching an RO/DI unit that will suit my needs and budget. Any ideas? I'll post more pictures as this progresses...

 

[Reef-lite]

Nice job! Looking good. What did you use to stain the birch plywood? And what did you use to seal it/protect it? I'm planning on using Miniwax honey walnut colored gel and polyacrylic.

 

[Demeter]

I stained it with Minwax Cherry 235 and a few coats of Minwax polyurethane.

 

[Reef-lite]

Demeter (or anyone who knows), what's the difference between polyacrylic and polyurethane and which one should I be using?

 

[wiliiam]

polyacrylic is a water cleanup product and polyurethane is solvent cleanup product. water based less smell but tends to turn an amber color after a while, polyurethane almost nothing will mess up it's finish

 

[forrest2906]

Looks great!

 

[Demeter]

Just wanted to follow-up with a picture of the cap, stand, and tank. It's taken a while to get this far, but I'm pleased with it so far.

 

[schemo]

extremely well done, looks very good! i'll be looking out for the updates.

schemo