[Lowej82]

I figured I start a thread of my 125 build to help keep track of everything, I started off with my stand, next will be my canopy im not much of a "finisher" when it come to wood work so we I have my fingers crossed on this one lol. Didnt take many pictures but here is what I took still have a little more to do before im ready for trim. I have basic tools no fancy routers or biscut deals lol,,,,, cordless drill, circular saw, brad nailer & air stapler and of course some wood glue.

Bottom frame


Corner post

[Lowej82]

for the outside I wrapped it with tounge and grove paneling strips.



Ill keep it basic nothing fancy, I may ask one of my uncles if he has a router to put a edge on my doors. Trying to keep the stand and canopy under $200 no oak here.........

Canopy will have 2 250wt MH & 4 96wt PC, some exuast & cooling fans. No ballast I have 2 PC units I will strip apart and when I do this to make them a retro fit I will relocate the ballast, when the MH come in I will be doing the same with them. Not sure if I should enclose the top or If I leave it open it will help heat get out, it will be about 6' tall in total, so if the only reason to enclose the top would be to hide everything it would be pointless.

[Lowej82]

My first attempt at a door lol

[e_baer]

Looks great! That is exactly what I was going to do for the door.

[Fishhead Junkie]

go elliot go, go elliot go...more pics please!!!!! i wish i could insert a little EYE OF THE TIGER from ROCKY!!!! get you motivated to keep building...i love that stuff!

[e_baer]

Elliott did not build this stand...

[Lowej82]

here is a quick shot with both doors in front of stand, I still need to place the middle door support in and cut the top edge straight and figure out what im gonna do with the edges.



My buddy came by to check out the new tank and helped me lift it up on the stand. Picked up the rest of the materials to trim it out and build the canopy, Picked up some Red oak stain was gonna use some Red mahogany? lol stain but thought it may be a little to dark.

[e_baer]

I like the fact that it is so high up. How tall is the stand?

[Lowej82]

I plan to build a canopy and it will come down over the top trim on the tank, The panels on the stand rise 2" above the stand to hide lower trim on the tank, I also picked up some basic trim to trim it out with. Stand is 37.5" tall, top of tank is 59.5" then the canopy will be 12~15" fora total of atleast 71.5". I will build a bench also to sit on to view the tank with the kids, also stand on while cleaning the tank.


I picked up some "Red Oak 215 MINWAX" this is what one coat of it looks like compaired to the natural pine

I dont really care for that color I will apply a couple more coats in the morning and see how it looks, Think I want more of a cherry oak look....

Also I will try to make the canopy to where the lights will be on a rack that can be raised or lowered if needed to adjust for heat & lighting needs, the canopy will be around 12~15" tall, top will be left open and front will flip up to allow front access into the tank.

[e_baer]

Will there be any fans on the canopy?


Looks great so far!

[Lowej82]

Originally Posted by e_baer

Will there be any fans on the canopy?


Looks great so far!

Thanks, I plan to have fans in the canopy and over the sump, I think I am going to relocate the ballast into a closet behind the stand, place then in a metal tube with a fan blowing over them, thats 6 ballast not including the LED ballast. I also have been thinking about placing some red LED's into the canopy along with the blues just on a different switch instead of having to use a flash light with red cover to do night hunting with.

[Lowej82]

......walmart has these tower fans about 30" tall 4"wide or so I may end up taking 2 of them apart and laying long ways blowing air accross the water surface. Im heading in planning for heat issues rather than hoping to not have them. I would like to completly enclose the stand but affraid if Ido heat wont exscape as good....... if I leave it open it may sound like a speaker box and amplify the noise level. computer fans are cheap to run there is a computer rebuilding/recycling place around the corner they always geeting rid of modems I am going to start checking them for fans!!

[blu23girl]

I'm so impressed!!!!
Thats awesome!!

John, You make it look so easy! lol =)

keep posting pics, i want to see more!!

[e_baer]

What is the total amount of time you spent on this project?

[Lowej82]

I would say about 2.5`3 hours on the frame, and the paneling moved pretty quickly probally under 2 hours, I had an air stapler and and air brad nailer to help out. The paneling is actually 4" X 96" tounge and groove like the flooring stuff it went up pretty quick. I didnt get much at all done today kidz was being a real pita lol. I hope to have the stand and canopy ready for stain by friday night when the kids go to grandmas house for the night

[bnhaus]

Nice job on the stand

[Lowej82]

Originally Posted by bnhaus

Nice job on the stand

Thanks, Here is a pic of what I have done on the canopy, Not much though I have as much as Im gonna do on the back done and the sides are done, just have to figure out how Im gonna lift the canopy door (what typ of hinges) I have some lid supports and hinges so Iwill see how they work out.

[aquasalt]

Nice work, John! It's so much more fulfilling when it's your own custom build! What are you doing for a sump?

[aquasalt]

Also, before you fill her up with water make sure you protect your stand and paint the inside!

[Lowej82]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

Also, before you fill her up with water make sure you protect your stand and paint the inside!

I plan to paint it completly on the inside,,,,, also I got alittle bit more done here is a poc of the little progress that I have made........

[e_baer]

That looks like it should be an in wall tank and stand!

[Lowej82]

Originally Posted by e_baer

That looks like it should be an in wall tank and stand!

Yea I agree....


Here is a shot with the MH lights on the tank.......Think there bright enough?

[plecosword]

wow nice Build! Is there water in the tank?

[Lowej82]

na its still empty, thats why you see the glow from the halides so much.

[Lowej82]

lol you notice my 10 gallon fuge under the tank?