Need Help with Stand Materials

[Hentz]

Built a new stand today! The one I use for my tank now is built for a Solana 34 to be flush. The Fusion 40 hangs off a bit, so I'm using a piece of plywood to hang over the edges with the Fusion to balance the weight.
The dimensions of this build are: 32"x24"x36"
This gives me exactly what I want for my next tank (in the future lol)

What should I wrap it with? Going for a very flush and contemporary look. What material do I use? Looking for something kinda shiny.
Want something white for around the tank, then the front to be a dark woodish type look. I've seen some people with a printed wood door like material.

 

[davocean]

You could get any decent quality ply and as long as you prep and paint properly you can get whatever finish you want.

 

[Maskpainter67]

Buy either CCX or CDX grade ply wood or skin in a nice finished material like maple, cherry walnut etc

 

[PhreeBYrd]

Forget about CCX or CDX plywood. Those are exterior construction grade sheathing. If you are going to use plywood, get A/B hardwood veneered plywood (the 'A' side is the good side, and the 'B' face is slightly less nice, but still the same species of veneer as the 'A' face). Yellow poplar veneered plywood is relatively inexpensive and paints extremely well. If you want a transparent wood finish, other species of veneered plywood panels like cherry, maple, birch, and walnut are readily available.
For a more modern and more water-resistant material, you can buy melamine-laminated panels -- the core is usually particle board or either MDF or LDF -- they are available at your local big box home center.

In either case, you'll need to decide how to treat the cut edges, since those will be raw and unfinished. For laminated melamine, the most common treatment is to edge-band the panels after cutting to size but prior to assembly. For veneered plywood panels, veneer edge banding is readily available to match your veneer species.

Then again, there are all sorts of other materials that could be used, from sheet metals to tile or stone. I'd avoid anything with a vinyl wrap. It just doesn't hold up well.

 

[Young347]

I had people point out to me when I built my stand frame that the bottom he middle supports are not needed and by taking them out will give you more space for under the tank not sure if you wanna take them out but just throwing it out there before you get farther into the build and I am skinning mine with 1/4 oak plywood

 

[Hentz]

What if I used wood flooring to cover the sides? I think that would look nice

 

[Sk8r]

Second the fine wood plywood.

 

[davocean]

What if I used wood flooring to cover the sides? I think that would look nice

I've seen it done, or even tongue and groove boards, it's not my own personal flavor but I'm a carpenter so I'm kind of picky, but I've seen some people do a decent job w/ those materials.
It's a personal choice.
I heard a lot of Chinese flooring has been recalled due to excessive fermaldahyde, (SP?)
Flooring is typically loaded up chems and glues that I'm not crazy about, probably no big deal but just something to think about/FYI

 

[Hentz]

Next question is, how would I get the stand to look super contemporary and flush?

 

[davocean]

That's a little trickier especially since you already built frame, it would have to be stepped in the thickness of whatever you planned to skin it with.
You could wrap w/ ply and drop in a circular to cut doors and keep that flush, but it will step out whatever thickness of material you go with, still not bad, but not that perfectly flush look many seem to be going for.

 

[PhreeBYrd]

I think we need something more to go on than 'super contemporary and flush'. That description could mean a lot of different things, and probably means something different to each of us.

 

[davocean]

I'm assuming that means similar to the look of the Elos cabinets that seems pretty popular right now, tank flush w/ cabinet, doors inset and flush.

 

[Hentz]

Sorry guys. Yes, didn't realize it was so broad. New to all this wood working stuff!

Flush like the elos style, exactly.

 

[Eud]

Build it out of good 3/4 plywood rather than 2x4 and you dont have to skin it. Then it can be flush. This one came out nice.

http://www.projectaquarium.com/plantedAquariumArticles_ADAAquariumStand.aspx

 

[jlanger]

To minimize any further reveal with wrapping the stand in plywood, you could wrap this stand with ¼" plywood.
Make sure you use enough glue on all surfaces making contact with the plywood to prevent any possible movement from the stand or sheeting.
Also painting the back side of the plywood prior to installation to prevent moisture damage would be a great step.

To create your contemporary finish on the outside, this can be done using laminates.
They make plenty of laminates in an array of wood grains and colors; and a number of whites.
You would need to make a door panel from ¾" thick plywood and make sure all six sides are covered in the laminate. Make sure to cut the door's front piece of laminate from the piece used to cover the front of the stand to ensure grain match.
Working with laminates takes a little practice, but it is relatively an effective way to create something sleek and professional looking.