I picked up the tank last night! WOOT it is gorgeous!!! Pictures to come later, it is still in the Jeep. It is however, neat to see a 36x24 without a center brace, it looks VERY open.
Ok, flip flop alert... I realized that MOST of the brushed Aluminum that we had in our living room, is gone. Now, I have mostly khaki leather and wood.
Just back from the lumber yard, I decided to go DIY on the stand. I bought 70 feet of Cedar 1x4 lumber. I plan on doubling up so it it will be in effect 2x4 when I am done with it.
I only have ONE Picture of the actual tank, it is still in the Jeep. To be honest that is as good as any place until I have a spot to put it.
The Starphire panel is the one farthest away in this picture.
Okay, on to the stand construction!
70 Feet of 1x4 Cedar. My circular saw is also in the picture, but I didn't use it at all during construction.
Same 70 feet in the basement, darn rain wouldn't quit. I had to spend an hour or so cleaning the basement before I was able to get started. The kids had taken over the space that used to be mine, was theirs, and is now mine again! :D You can also see the 12" Compound Mitre saw, that beast made it like butter!
You can see the "rough" side of the Cedar here, when I saw this in the lumber shop, I thought immediately how STRONG the glue joint would be if I put the rough sides together with glue and screws. In effect I was able to create my own 2x4's with this Cedar.
These are 2 rails, front and back, top and bottom, all the same. These rails are the only pieces that both pieces are the same length. I had them glued, screwed, and clamped at this point to allow the glue to dry for a while.
A close up of how I planned to put all the pieces together. All the rails rest on wood, which extends to the floor. There are no joints that are supported by screws only.
Here are all the pieces, ready for final assembly. Kinda like a jigsaw puzzle.
One of the corners. At this point, they are NOT attached. The stand is not complete even now, as I need some longer screws. (I'll get them tomorrow) In this picture and the next, the stand is sitting as it will when it is finished, but there are no screws or glue holding it together! :D
Final picture of the night, rough completion of the stand, again not attached, just all the pieces placed together.
Now on to the important question, STAIN IT, or PAINT IT?
---------- Post added at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------
Originally Posted by chort55
Good I look forward to seeing them! Did you pick up that cO2 tank too, I left it with Andy the other day.
I left it. I'll pick it up tomorrow though, I'll be there from 12-4. :D
---------- Post added at 09:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 PM ----------
Most of the screws are on the inside edges. I did have a DOH moment and put the screws on the side pieces on the outside, when I realized it, it was WAY to late to fix the error. Also, in looking at the corners, I will have to have screws on the outside, unless I go with dowel pins. (Which would add a lot of time.)
I am still working on that one Chris. I have to plan where I am going to drill for the overflow yet. It has to be on the bottom, as it will have to sit pretty darn close to the wall where it will be placed.
I am thinking of Tonga branch ONLY in the display, and then using the regular rock in the sump to get more mass there. I can create a much more open scape using the tonga branch, and since this will be SPS, the branch rock will compliment the corals well I think. Also putting the less light demanding LPS/Chalice on the sand around the outside edge sounds appealing.
It is nice to be getting back in the water so to speak. I am still holding on to the not rushing back in mantra, thought once I have the stand done, I might have to add gravel and some water even before I have a light or skimmer, as those aren't really REQUIRED to start a cycle.
It is however, neat to see a 36x24 without a center brace, it looks VERY open.
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Originally Posted by chort55
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