My 90g Rebuild - Custom Stand, etc...

[DustinB]

I took my 90 down because I was tired dealing with invasive caulerpa, zoa eating asterinas, etc... I decided to build a nice strong 2x4 stand and incorporate a display refugium next to the tank. Going to build the refugium and custom sump out of acrylic. Decided to skin the stand in maple stock and stain to match the kitchen cabinets. Also going to build a small rock wall to cover the overflow box and a nice aquascape mortored together. The plan is to build it the way I wish I had when I started.

 

[DustinB]

The support frame was constructed and sealed, though I ran out of primer at the last part. All the top and bottom 2x4's had the edges jointed on the router table and ripped on the table saw. Gave me a perfectly flat, level surface to make sure I don't bust a seam on the tank. I know the way things are laid out it seems a little weird, but you will see how it comes together when the skin sections are constructed.

Finished the display refugium, the exposed sides will be painted black.

And my stack of hard maple for the skin. I never imagined this stuff was so expensive(hard maple).

I tried a lot of different methods to get hard maple to stain properly and seem to have found a method to match the kitchen cabinets without blotching. Here's my sample piece that actually came out right.

 

[DustinB]

Progress so far:

Structure skinned:

My BRS Pukani came in, I think I ordered too much:

Door boards routed and ready to glue:

Gluing them up:

Canopy boards glued up ready to assemble:

Almost completed:

Need to get a bit more wood to make some slight changes and cut and install the bottom shelf, also need to make and install the trim. Then it's on to a lot of sanding, staining, finishing, and sealing the interior of everything. Still need to make the sump and plumb everything in.

 

[Mr Smiley]

This Looks REALLY good!

 

[reefermad619]

Nice!

 

[Mr Smiley]

How much Pukani Rock is that? Thats what im planning for my future build :spin3:

 

[DustinB]

Thanks. It is 80 pounds, I ordered 70. It's too much rock, I could have gotten by with 60 pounds easy. It's a lot more than it looks, it would fill the tank up solid about 2/3 of the way.

 

[JTrem94]

Woah, looks really cool! I like the idea of the display fuge. I'll be tagging along.

 

[Mr Smiley]

How are you planning to plumb in the Display Fuge?

 

[DustinB]

There's 3 holes in the back for 3 3/4" bulkheads. 1 will be a return with a locline nozzle, and 2 will be drains. 1 main and 1 backup to avoid any algae blockage. Going to use some 90 degree threaded fittings and short lengths of pipe to set the water level.

I haven't decided if I want to split the return or if I want a dedicated fuge pump. Maybe a dedicated pump as I will be using a herbie drain on the main tank and I don't know if there will be varying flow by splitting the return pump.

 

[Ninja1]

Sweet build!

 

[Virtuoso]

Very nice work. You can tell you've done something like this before. :bigeyes:

 

[zaheda]

I see you have some good diy skills, will be tagging on this one.

 

[DustinB]

Thanks guys. This is actually the first time building any kind of furniture or cabinets, I just happen to have a lot of tools from renovating the house.

Been sanding a lot this week, should be ready to start staining this weekend.

 

[blue71]

I thought my stand and canopy were nice. I'm extremely jealous.

 

[AlgaeBeater]

Thats some top notch work!

I'm looking forward to seeing more of this system.

 

[DustinB]

Been a while, but I'm getting to where I have more free time now. Thought I'd post an update.

I got the stand completed, I just need to stain the canopy and it's done. I'm planning on doing that this weekend and trying to get my sump built.

I decided to order a new tank, so this one will be gone this weekend. My new tank should be here in 1-2 weeks. It will be about the same as this, but it will have the overflow in the back right corner and will be constructed with black silicone.

My pukani is in the garage cooking so I can release any bound phosphate. Should be about ready when the tank arrives. I'll have to mortor my rock rubble on the overflow as well.

 

[ski7575]

Wow, this is such a good idea.. can't wait to see the final product!!!

 

[fickle1]

Been a while, but I'm getting to where I have more free time now. Thought I'd post an update.

I got the stand completed, I just need to stain the canopy and it's done. I'm planning on doing that this weekend and trying to get my sump built.

I decided to order a new tank, so this one will be gone this weekend. My new tank should be here in 1-2 weeks. It will be about the same as this, but it will have the overflow in the back right corner and will be constructed with black silicone.

Awesome work! I agree the corner overflow will look much cleaner with that setup. What stain/poly combination did you use? I love the finish.

 

[matt_wahoo]

Great work on the stand. I am going to build a stand for my new set up in 2 weeks. I might have to spend a little more time than I was planning on.