HughJas Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 After what seems like an eon of lurking on this site. I've decided to upgrade the old Eclipse 12 and embark on a 40 breeder. I've read and researched for months. I've checked specs. I've ogled over the tanks of others (I'm looking at you Tigahboy, Uchiha, Travis, and others). I even flipped a coin a couple times for those tough decisions. Even with all that there's still trepidation with getting this guy right the first time. My idea is to make this project as visible as possible so you guys can slap me before I make that wrong turn and wind up with the 40G Money Pit. Here's what I plan. - 40G AGA Breeder - Custom Stand/Canopy - 250W MH with some sort of PC supplementation (details TBD) - Sump/Refugium (The jury is still out on this one, haven't made a decision) - Closed Loop SCWD - more - more - more But, first things first. I need to build the stand and canopy. I've been woodworking for about 8 years and have built a lot of the furniture in our house so I've got the tools. I want to make the stand look as "architectural" as possible to blend in with the other furniture we have. I plan on building a pine 2x4 base that will be wrapped in 1/2 oak plywood (3/4 on the top) and clad in 1/2 solid red oak to create a faux frame and panel look. The canopy will be 1/2 red oak plywood with the same cladding. Stain will be a mahogany colored aniline dye stain (I don't like pigment stains on open pored oak). But enough of that - on to the pictures! I finished the 2x4 frame tonight and will begin covering soon. I hope to have everything finished in a week or two. Feel free offer up suggestions! Link to comment
Whitten Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Hey there fellow Auburn guy. Any chance that I have met you at our reef club meetings here? If not a few of us have started up a club, and would love to have you join our merry band of frag stealers....er traders. Your stand looks great and your choice of tank is perfect. Definately let me know if we have met before or if you are interested in our little club. It is small and informal, which makes it alot of fun, and there is tons of experience. Let me know. --Michael Whitten-- Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 15, 2005 Author Share Posted February 15, 2005 Oh that's awesome. Lord knows we don't have a decent LFS around here and need a good "cartel". PM me the details and I'll be more than happy to mooch....er trade and learn. Chris Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 More Pics - Covering in 1/2 oak plywood Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 More Pics 2 - Covering in 1/2 oak plywood Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 More Pics 3 - Covering in 1/2 oak plywood Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 Fish Pharm - You're biased Link to comment
adamjonpeterson Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 can't wait to see how it looks when done. Link to comment
SLOreefer Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 WOW...talk about over built...but you never know when the big one will hit in ha ha alabama! it looks great, i always overbuild myself. lookin good...hurry up so you can get it filled up! Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 hehe - I'm no structural engineer so I err on the side of indestructable. Link to comment
BKtomodachi Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 I always like more than I need as well... I just wish I knew how to weld for metal stands. Link to comment
Whitten Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 Hugh, Here is the thread I was refering to on RC. We would love for you to join us for some meetings. I think we are going to try and do some DIY projects, as well as more organized frag swaps. If you read through the thread you will be able to see what we have been trying to do with it. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...threadid=458041 Your stand is awesome by the way, it looks just as over built as the one I made for my 30 gallon Oceanic. Dude you could put all 700 lbs of my 4 wheeler on top of the thing and it wouldn't flinch. can't wait to see your tank take off. Let us know if you are needing some suggestions as far as lighting goes. I am a bit biased in that department. When it comes to it, I love Aqua Medic stuff, but a DIY pendant would be a hell of a lot of fun to build and you could get alot more for your money. Looking forward to seeing it come together. Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 17, 2005 Author Share Posted February 17, 2005 We're are there! Thanks for the heads up. Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 20, 2005 Author Share Posted February 20, 2005 And continuing the work. Link to comment
HughJas Posted February 20, 2005 Author Share Posted February 20, 2005 Almost done... Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Nice stand, dude. looks very clean and solid. Link to comment
Withers Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Wow that looks very professional, good job! Link to comment
HughJas Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 Finally, some progress... Stand is complete, stained, one coat of linseed oil, and 3 coats of varnish. Link to comment
HughJas Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 Stand Open, still need to finish off the inside once I decide where the sump and all the other equipment goes. Link to comment
yoshiod9 Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 damn...that's really nice man! Link to comment
HughJas Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 The tank itself. It's been drilled and painted. Now all I need is a hood. X) Link to comment
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