First DIY stand attempt.

[DaveK]

Thanks DaveK. Over built? Probably, just don't want it to come caving in. This is seriously the 1st thing I've ever built from scratch. I'm planning on covering it with 1/4" plywood, so depending on how that looks when done determines on how I finish it. Wifey would like me to add molding and paint to it and make it look pretty...lol. I really like the varnish idea. Guess we'll see what happens in the next couple of days.

I'm not too fond of paint on an aquarium stand. The big problem I have with paint is that sooner or later you are going to put a ding or two into the paint, and it's going to chip and show. This is obviously still going to occur if you varnish the stand, but since the wood doesn't have aneven color to it, touching it up is a lot easier.

BTW, you can also stain the stand to match other stuff in the room. However, plywood often doesn't take a stain evenly, so you want to apply a sealer first.

 

[DaveK]

...
Forutnately, you only get demerits (and serious ones at that) for stands that are under built!
...

It is usually true that you are better off over building a stand, compared to under building it. Through bitter experience, I found that it is also quite possible to overbuild a stand to the point where it becomes a major pain. True, it never collapsed on me, but there was so much material in it that it was extremely heavy, difficult to move, and difficult to install things inside it. Finally I tore it all down when I upgraded the tank.

 

[curt]

stand looks good
after you skin it with plywood you could use corner molding on the corners and 1/4 round
along the bottom
good luck with the build

 

[esnapz]

Hey all. Its been a while since I updated this thread. Unfortunately since my last post I returned to work, so my time is limited. Then I had a death in the family and recently had to travel abroad. Production is going a lot slower but its moving along. Since the last post, I skinned the the frame then work and everything else took place. Having some free time yesterday I added some touches to it and its coming along nicely. I had taken pics when I skinned it...but I seemed to have erased them by mistake. Here's 3 shots of what it looks like now.

If I have some free time this weekend, I should have the doors done. If that works out smoothly it will be ready for staining.

Hope all is well with you all.

E

 

[JRWOHLER]

Hey nice job. It looks nice and super functional too.

Sorry for your loss mate.

 

[esnapz]

Thanks x2 JR.

 

[Hawkeye]

looks great....and yes - sorry about the loss.

at least you are back to work....a lot of folks these days would love to have a job to go to!

btw - are you planning on putting a lot in that frame? I was thinking you may want more than that one hole in the back for ventilation.

 

[esnapz]

Thanks phil, the hole in the back was meant for the electrical cords and such. Ventilation never crossed my mind, I guess I can pop some more holes in it.

 

[Hawkeye]

do this if you can fit - place a hole on the right and the left side. Fit a fan in both. one blows in - the other blows out.

hope that makes sense. If think it'll be really hot/humid in there - then do four fans - two on each side.

 

[BUELLER]

stand looks great, don't have to worry about the weight with those 2x4's

bueller

 

[anin]

Hey great stand, i am building the exact same frame, then wrapping in plywood, what thickness plywood did u use?

 

[REEFLECTIONS]

do this if you can fit - place a hole on the right and the left side. Fit a fan in both. one blows in - the other blows out.

hope that makes sense. If think it'll be really hot/humid in there - then do four fans - two on each side.

sorry, i hate to disagree with people like this, but in the interest of saving this guy a couple dollars, which we all know he's already over budget, cause we've all been there. but fans of the same size blowing in and out would produce no more air flow than if you put fans in one side, and empty holes in the other, i hope you can under stand what i mean. but if a fan is blowing in at 50 cfm, and one is blowing out at 50 cfm, then only 50 cfm of air will be exchanged... hope it made sense

 

[Hawkeye]

What what how dare you disagree! The least you could do is PM me. LOL. i am just joking!

In retrospect after reading what you said - that does make a lot of sense. So just put in one fan and let the air naturally come out.

I wish though the original poster would come back and check njrc out. I dunno where he went to. ??? This thread hasn't been replied to since halloween. Of course until bueller resurrected it...

 

[concept3]

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? LOL.


OR, you can do two fans out for more air!


Oh, wait, it really was bueller!

 

[BUELLER]

LOL

 

[esnapz]

Hey all, sorry I've been m.i.a. Things just haven't been working out as planned lately and all progress has been halted. Things are looking up and I might be able to continue and finally get this tank up and running. I will keep you all posted on what's going on. Hope everyone is having a great and blessed new year. Reef on!