90g Rebuild - Custom Stand (1 Viewer)

[DustinB]

So as some of you know, 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.

So far I have the refugium built and the main and side support stands built. Waiting on my new saw blades to show up tomorrow before I can start skinning the stands. Will update as I go along.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

I'll follow along on this one. Can't wait to see it come together.

 

[fishcraze_1]

Dustin,

This looks to be a great build.

will tag along as well.

 

[steveb]

Dustin post some pics!

 

[DustinB]

Here's some pics of the progress so far.

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. Now I just need to build the sump.

And my stack of hard maple for the skin. A lot of work to be done, but I got my new saw blades in today so I can get started. 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.

Still a long way to go. I need to order some rubble rock and some pukani rock from BRS to build my aquascape and to build my rock wall cover for the overflow. I will be using quikrete "quikwall" polymer modified mortar to build the wall and to bond sections of my aquascape to make things more seamless, less like a stack of rocks.

Taking my time, trying to do things the way I wish I would have when I was new to all this.

 

[flexrac]

looking good, wish my stain came out like that, following along.

 

[DustinB]

What wood were you staining? How did you prep? What stain? Any conditioner?

 

[flexrac]

i have birched wood. the problem was i stained it with one color, that natural wood stain believe, which is a oil base. then decided i wanted it darker, so instead of sanding i just went over it with a dark gel based. where the issue came in was the applicator, i used the wrong type. i tried to use one of those hand glove. bad idea.
should i break it down for any reason, i will sand it and the spray it on.

come to the tank tour, you can talk to me about your process.

 

[fishcraze_1]

Dustin,

Its coming out great.

Wish i knew how to work with wood.

 

[DustinB]

Thanks, it's not that hard at all. I'm still pretty new myself. Just reading a lot online and picking up tools I didn't have.

 

[DustinB]

Well I've made some progress.

Structure skinned:

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

Door borads 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.

 

[RGH69]

Nice work Dustin! What all do you plan to have in the display fuge?

 

[DustinB]

Thanks, not totally sure yet. Probably a starfish of some sort and some different macros. Though the girlfriend wants seahorses.

 

[TexanReef]

Very nice!

 

[cichlidtx]

Good job, You have some nice woodworking skills. Can't wait to see it when finished.

 

[Mark L.]

Wow looks great! I love how you did the display fuge.

 

[DustinB]

Been really busy lately working on our new shop(the concrete slab in the pics).

Here's a pic after I finished staining several weeks ago. Looks blotchy in the pic for some reason. Should be done soon. Just need to clear coat the doors and build a sump.

 

[padanky]

Very nice...

 

[fishcraze_1]

Dustin,

Turned out super nice.

Nice work. You have skills man.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[steveb]

Turned out really nice Dustin. You got skills. What tools did you use in the making of your stand? tablesaw, router table, jointer, planer, pocket jig? Also tell us about your staining process.