Modern stand design! Help with selecting materials..

MAthU

MAthU

me
Hi DIYers I need some help with a stand I am "attempting" to build, here's a few pics of the inspiration to give you some idea of what I would like.
(These pictures were stolen from other threads I hope the people I took them from don't mind.. If you want them removed lmk!!)
So the plan is to build this stand for my 42x42x20 reef I am going for that modern white high gloss look
I want:
Sliding doors
Pull out drawers
Maybe removable side panels
A 4"~ ledge around the tank..

Was also thinking about that to do for the canopy I want it to be all contained so that moisture/heat can be vented out..
Removable panels would be nice or sliding panels or ?? I want easy access

So the main question I have is what is the best material to make the doors/panels from??? The frame I was going to construct from 2x..
Pictures I will post below
 

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The sliding doors look cool. I wonder if they are really useful. Nice access to the middle section but almost no access the left and right sections. Also after a few years/months of reaching in over the sliders and dripping water, I bet they don't work so good. Takes up lots of space to either side of stand for doors to slide.

The samples you have look like high pressure laminate over ??. Most likely MDF. A nice steel stand with removable panels would be a good option. Even removable panels on a wood frame would be good. Do consider MDF is heavy - 3/4inch MDF weights about 90 lbs. More with laminate.
 
I was planning on putting drawers in the stand that slide out like the ones for pots and pans or the kind ikea uses on there wardrobes, so I could utilize the space under the stand effectively, I wanted the sliding doors mostly because they look cool..lol and because i wanted to do something different then what I had done in the past, I do agree with you about the water/ corrosion issues with the sliding door hardware that's part of the reason for the ledge around the tank .. I figure once it made it's way down the glass the majority of it would pool on the ledge. hahahaa everything seems so easy I'm my head.
So mdf is a no no? I figures It would give the best look done in high gloss in terms of a nice even finish. My main concern with this project is what medium to use to skin the stand..
I would love to make a steel stand it's just I've never worked with welding.. It can't be that hard? Right ahah
 
I wasn't talking about water from the DT. The way those sliders (very $$, btw) let you reach into sump area, they WILL get dripped with SW. At least if I had that stand, I'd drip on them! :)

MDF is the most likely candidate if you are covering it. It's the only sheet good that will stay flat. If you are covering MDF with high pressure laminate (HPL), it will be 'mostly' waterproof. I would not use it for structure, well, because MDF is not a structural material. So frame for structure, MDF panels covered in HPL for looks.

There are hinges that make it very easy to remove the door. Lots cheaper than those fancy sliders. Check out Blum clip hinges.

I don't weld. I will try lots of DIY projects but welding a stand as my first welding project? NO WAY! Check out the steel stands thread here in the DIY section for a very full discussion of the issues.
 
Thanks for the great input! I didn't mention I was just using the stand as storage.. There will be a dedicated room for the tanks mechanicals. I don't know if you have seen Rogers lagoon?? http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2306561
I found it last night and it's very similar to what I want. Minus the sump in the stand part.... He also used mdf with epoxy coating. Thin mdf with a wood Frame. I will defiantly check out those steel stands.
 
Thanks for the pics it looks nice, too bad the tank is empty in the pic lol, I know what you mean about getting the high gloss finish right. I have a shop and a HVLP spray gun I have done some cabinet refinishing.. Nothing major and have got pretty good results with a nice even finish but I've never worked with mdf only wood with grain and the grains always a PITA. I am going to try the mdf. Ill post some pics when it's done
 
Getting that high gloss wont take a whole lot of work but it does take some time. you will need a dust free room, really fine sandpaper, polyurethane, some oils if necessary, some good brushes or application cloth. You can get a really good shine without much experience but just need to clear coat it, let it dry, fine sanding, coat it again, repeat until desired finish.

I also agree that MDF is bad when wet. it gets lumpy and can cause mold! that stuff soaks it up pretty good so I would not use it. try some hardwood and maybe put some Thompsons Water Seal. Ive never used the stuff but I hear good things about it. Pretty much any wood is vulnerable....just depends on what you use to protect it. But the MDF is a bad choice.
 
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I'd go for a frame skinned with just about anything other than MDF. I swear water finds a way to get to that stuff. I've seen a lot of stands with a really ratty looking MDF section where the owner has no clue how it managed to get wet there.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I agree about the mdf. So
I am going to use pine... Or poplar and ply and I've drastically changed the design! It's still going to be white but will be less modern. A combo of the pictures below
 
and this, white base with dark wood shelving and top.
Not sure if I will do a 2x6 frame? Or all plywood...
 
go check out http://ana-white.com/ my wife found this site. we took my old college furniture and painted it to match a pottery barn bed for my daughter. it looks great and saved a ton of money which I later converted into fish tank stuff
 
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