Getting back into things... - DSA Neo Nano Build (1 Viewer)

[DustinB]

Decided to get back into reefing a little. Tired of the jbj 12g so I'm moving to a 34g DSA Neo Nano. Still have most of the equipment/supplies and plenty of rough wood so I won't have to buy much.

Just got done with the stand design in sketchup, about to begin construction.

 

[ExoticReefer]

I like those Neo nano tanks ever since I first saw them. I wanna get a something similar soon

 

[ExoticReefer]

Really like the to down view tanks

 

[mwilliams62]

Welcome back Dustin. Great looking sketch.

 

[steveb]

Welcome back Dustin. Looks like it is going to be an interesting build!

 

[DustinB]

I've never had a smaller shallow type tank before. Any ideas on the simplest powerhead option? I was thinking about using a single MP10, but I'm not quite sure it will be enough. If I go that route, I'm not sure on the best placement on a cube tank.

I imported the model into 3dsmax to get a better render. Started milling lumber today.

 

[DustinB]

Can a mod move this to the DIY forum, might be more appropriate there?

Made some progress the past few days when I got some free time. First pic is an exploded view of the design in sketchup to better show what I will be doing. The other pics are the glued up panels and the milled lumber for the frame which I started assembling.

 

[jhill9]

Is that wood shop in your garage? If so.

 

[DustinB]

It is, we built an air conditioned building beside the house.

 

[jhill9]

Wow, I am jealous. Your stand is going to be top notch if your skill is even half as good as your shop. Ha ha.

 

[Traclly Le Tran]

It is, we built an air conditioned building beside the house.

That is awesome!

 

[DustinB]

Wow, I am jealous. Your stand is going to be top notch if your skill is even half as good as your shop. Ha ha.

I actually haven't done a lot of furniture projects, just a few. We've always done a lot of work on the house and I decided I wanted to start getting into woodworking more so we built a shop. Definitely makes a lot of things a lot easier. Haven't messed with acrylic since I got the new table saw. That will be the next thing after the stand is done. You would be really surprised what you can do with minimal tools. I built my last stand with a crappy portable table saw and a router. Having all the extra machines just makes things faster, easier, and more accurate. My last build thread is here: http://www.marsh-reef.org/do-yourself/28649-90g-rebuild-custom-stand.html

Speaking of something simple, I finally got one of those kreg pocket hole jigs. There's definitely a lot less I will be using the biscuit joiner for, this thing is awesome.



Progress for today was completing the assembly for the subframe. Need to do some refinements and get to sanding, should have the plywood on tomorrow. I'm almost starting to second guess the decision to add 1/2 baltic birch plywood to the outside, this thing is surprisingly sturdy. Should be more than enough to support a 350-400lb tank setup. Oh well, overkill usually isn't a bad thing.

 

[jhill9]

Looks like a good start. I wish I had to the space and time to do more wood working. I keep thinking about getting a kreg jig but since I don't have any projects coming up I keep putting it off. Do you make your own trim too?

 

[DustinB]

I don't really use complex trim so what I do use is easy to make with basic router bits or the table saw. I make everything I use but the plywood. It's cheaper to be rough cut lumber and machine it yourself. Save money and end up with perfectly straight and flat boards.

 

[toefu]

having facilities like that is cheating.......... That really is a nice area to work on things.

 

[DustinB]

Almost feels like cheating sometimes. All the tools really just make things faster and easier.

Made some progress the last few days, finally finished all the panels and trim. Just need to do a little more sanding and I can start finishing once I'm happy with my test pieces. Once that's done I need to fill a bunch of screw holes and paint the inside. I thought this thing was going to be lighter than it is considering I didn't do a hefty 2x4 frame.

Dry rock and MP10 should be here tomorrow. I need to get moving on the sump so it can cure. I also decided to make a frame to go around the metal halide pendant, which will also make hanging this pendant easier. Going to bend some steel conduit and paint it black, then attach it to the back of the stand.

 

[Izro]

Looking good, wish I had air conditioning when I was building my stand a couple weeks ago specially with this texas heat

 

[jhill9]

Looking good. And yes your shop is cheating. Ha ha.

 

[Gomer]

Looks great! Really like the clean design!

 

[maconbits]

this looks great, beautiful design