60 Gal cube Build From Scratch :D

GnarleyMarley · Apr 22, 2013

OK so time for another small update.
I have to take some pics of the new progress to the stand but lets take a minute to check out my new project... a floating canopy

I decided I want to make a small floating canopy to mount my radion in, I wanted it to be somthing that adds to the tank and does not take away from it, As most of u know this can be a challenge sometimes when dealing with a rimless, or shallow tank.
So my plan was to buils a 16x16x5-6" box to match the stand and mount the light, and b able to hide the hanging kit.
It is still a work in progress but this is what i have keep in mind i still have quite a bit of work to do...

I have not mounted the top piece yet I plan on mounting it on the center and mounting a small fan in the center of it, to help suck air out.

reefed419 · Apr 25, 2013

Looking good for a first wood build.

KingOfPain86 · Apr 25, 2013

Looks great dude

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Lilmatty5dimes · Apr 25, 2013

Your stand looks great. Really good craftsmanship.

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justgotwet · Apr 25, 2013

Great looking stand!

bairdimusprime · Apr 30, 2013

Love the canopy I need to make one myself but have no carpentry skills. Do you have plans for it by any chance?

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GnarleyMarley · May 13, 2013

bairdimusprime said:
Love the canopy I need to make one myself but have no carpentry skills. Do you have plans for it by any chance?

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Its pretty straight foward man

all i did was cut 45Â°s on the ends of 4 16" 1x4s and then nailed them in place and covered the nails with corner molding very simple, if i can do it so can anyone else!!!

UPDATE*****
Polyurethaned my doors and canopy last night

Here is a shot of a a door with 1 coat of poly on it next to a raw door. I ended up getting 2 coats on yesterday b4 it got too late. I plan on doing at least 1 more coat then its on to the stand

bairdimusprime · May 13, 2013

Thank you!

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GnarleyMarley · May 18, 2013

OK this is a little teaser update

I managed to put on my second coat of Poly on the stand this morning after i sanded it down with some 400 grit. I have to say i wish u guys could feel this stand its is smoother and softer than a baby's butt!!!!

Anyway on to some pics
1st coat...

I'm really glad i used the backside of the Red Oak Ply i really like the contrast it gave me! It's going to look killer once i get the doors on it.
Also if u notice the bottom of the stand is wet and shiney

thats because Brian_e hooked me up with some of the epoxy he used to make his plywood tank, so now i can fill the bottom of the stand with about 5 or so gallons of water without having to worry about it leaking onto the floor

Second coat of Poly...

I am planning on doing at least 3-4 coats on the doors and the stand b4 i call it good, as of right now i am at 2 coats o the doors and the stand.... U guys don't know how much work it is to sand the whole stand and doors between every coat, then having to go over it with mieral spirits and finally a tack rag b4 each and every coat. Its been a lot of work but I swear it is shaping up to be worth every minute!!!!

GnarleyMarley · Jun 6, 2013

While waiting on the third and final coat of poly to dry on the light holder I did some more homework onn the DAP black silicone that I was going to use for the tank build and got scared so.... I ended up biteing the bullet and bought 2 tubes of RTV 103 industrial silicone. I scoured the internet today and this stuff is more highly recommended for tank building than any other silicone on the market, so rather than being cheap and regretting it down the road I bit the bullet and dropped the 30 for 2 tubes on amazon (thank God for Prime's free 2 day shipping) so it should be here by Friday and I should b able to finaly put that thing together this weekend.
I'm going to prep the glass tomorrow afternoon after work so it should b ready to go Saturday morning.
Also while i'm on the subject look what showed up at my door

I got a Brand new curve 7 from walter aka coralreefnc Saturday and this thing is a freaking monster. I had my doubts about the curve 5 but I have absolutely no concerns about this 7 it is easily twice the size of the 5

I'm so stoked!!!!!

BTW that's my size 14 shoe for refrence

And here are some teaser pics of the bracket I made to mount my floating canopy

If u cant tell the theme of the stand is red oak lol

harriszm · Jun 6, 2013

coming along nicely

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Telefonica007 · Jun 7, 2013

I give u a lot if respect! Looks great! I built a stand for a biocube last September and got my hand caught in the chop saw!! Months of therapy and a surgery.... Kept all my fingers but still not the same :'( be careful!

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GnarleyMarley · Jun 9, 2013

Well guys disaster struck again LOL. I was putting the tank together today. Got 2 panes in place and put on the third, turned around for a second and.... CRASH!!!!! broke another pane

So that's it i'm throwing in the towel and biting the bullet and buying a Brand new Rimless 60 cube from deep blue. My lfs quoted me 320 for a reef ready one and I think i'm going to get one that's not drilled and drill it myself (or get brin_e to drill it again lol)

So after the broken glass I was pretty bummed and just did a little work on the stand to lift my spirits

either way here is the progress as of today (my goal is too have this thing ready for a tank in the next week!

I also picked up the template to mount the hinges today. I have to go to Smithfield tomorrow to deal with some work stuff so maybe i'll get a chance to work on it Monday night and get the doors up

Sooooo.... Watcha think????

Btw dude that six about your fingers, glad to hear u r recovering well