Just turned that plywood stand into ....

Current107 · Jan 19, 2016

I originally built the stand when money was tight and I was focusing on getting the tank up and going. I framed the stand with 2X4 and 2X6 construction. Wrapped in AC plywood, bleach stained the plywood and trimmed it out. After about 6 months, my tank started looking pretty good with bunch of fish and coral. After having people over they would all comment on the how awesome the livestock looked but asked what was with the stand. So it was time to make the furniture quality match the livestock.

Pretty Easy...

First I removed a side door (This door was to slide in the sump only, this no longer needed as my sump is threw the wall and into the utility room.)

Second I picked up a good quality grinder and a 6" diamond cutoff wheel.

Next was picking out some stone, trim, stain and misc items.

It's not complete as of yet, as I'm making a top ledge, piece together the doors and have ordered glass for the doors. I also plan on sealing the stone so it looks wet and makes the color in the stone pop more.

I'm interested to hear peoples thoughts!

human · Jan 19, 2016

That looks awesome!

Chrisfish · Jan 19, 2016

Looks really nice!

redfishbluefish · Jan 19, 2016

Interesting look. I can't see the upper part above the tank, but wonder how it would look to have a floating canopy with this rock. Not sure I understand the glass doors. Why would you want to see all the crap in the stand?

Now here's my opinion on stands....and realize I'm the odd ball here. I greatly appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into building these crown molded, bedazzled fine mahoganey wood stands. However, I think the focus should be your tank, and therefore believe the stand should have a demure appearance. I don't want people walking into the room and saying, "nice stand." My very simple plywood skinned stand with simple trim boards is currently semigloss black. I'm going to be repainting it this summer flat black because I think it stands out too much being semigloss. See the tank, not the stand.

Current107 · Jan 19, 2016

redfishbluefish said:
Interesting look. I can't see the upper part above the tank, but wonder how it would look to have a floating canopy with this rock. Not sure I understand the glass doors. Why would you want to see all the crap in the stand?

Now here's my opinion on stands....and realize I'm the odd ball here. I greatly appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into building these crown molded, bedazzled fine mahoganey wood stands. However, I think the focus should be your tank, and therefore believe the stand should have a demure appearance. I don't want people walking into the room and saying, "nice stand." My very simple plywood skinned stand with simple trim boards is currently semigloss black. I'm going to be repainting it this summer flat black because I think it stands out too much being semigloss. See the tank, not the stand.

There is no upper section as of yet. That will be on the drawling board next. For the glass in the doors, its going to be smoked and etched so you can't see threw the glass.

Waters · Jan 19, 2016

Do you want to come over and redo my fireplace

??

TheEngineer · Jan 19, 2016

Looks great! Where did you buy the stone veneer? I've been looking to do a wall in my house in a similar fashion, but don't know where to get it.

Current107 · Jan 19, 2016

Waters said:
Do you want to come over and redo my fireplace ??

*Redoing a fireplace is pretty easy. All you need is a level, $40 grinder, $12 diamond wheel and a sharpy. I used a steel straight edge to make straight cuts with a free hand grinder. Its 3 degrees out, so I cut these in my basement near a floor drain. I luckily have a hose, so I put on mist laid hose on floor and went to town. (Would be quicker with a wet tile table/saw)

icecool2 said:
Looks great! Where did you buy the stone veneer? I've been looking to do a wall in my house in a similar fashion, but don't know where to get it.

I picked these up on sale last week at the local Menards ($23 a box for 26.75 Sq Ft. Really good deal. Box of corners were $45 Not on sale). You can find the veneer pretty much any Lowes, Home Depot, Menards ect. Its usually in the exterior/siding section. I used Pre-mixed mortar mix that is in the tile section. They also sell Mortar mixed designed for exterior walls. This is a powder, so more of a mess and cost more. For a simple stand I used the premixed mortar used for back splash and/or showers.

Current107 · Jan 19, 2016

Duplicate post...

dewboy1127 · Jan 19, 2016

Looks awesome

Waters · Jan 19, 2016

Current107 said:
*Redoing a fireplace is pretty easy. All you need is a level, $40 grinder, $12 diamond wheel and a sharpy. I used a steel straight edge to make straight cuts with a free hand grinder. Its 3 degrees out, so I cut these in my basement near a floor drain. I luckily have a hose, so I put on mist laid hose on floor and went to town. (Would be quicker with a wet tile table/saw)

I have done a lot of tile work......as stupid as it sounds, I didn't realize they sold stones in that style, that ran around the corners (the corners were my concern). That is the exact look I wanted in our fireplace.

Current107 · Jan 19, 2016

Waters said:
I have done a lot of tile work......as stupid as it sounds, I didn't realize they sold stones in that style, that ran around the corners (the corners were my concern). That is the exact look I wanted in our fireplace.

Just a heads up, if you have to remove the drywall or fireboard, make sure when you replace it you have atleast 1 inch of fireboard (AKA heat rated drywall). Most state codes require at least 1inch of fire board in residential and 2 inches between condo/apartments with a fire place. Take a picture to show proof of your fire membrane, this would help if you ever go to sell the home and home inspector request this. I also don't recommend taping the corners if your going to use the corner stone. This will eliminating fight to squaring the corners.

On the other note, not all companies make corners. Funny story is when I went into the store the first time to buy this stone per the add, the young kid at the lumber counter said they didn't make corners. I purchased a box went home, held it up and loved it. I went back few days later and tried to find a box without and broken stone. The bottom shelf and 3 boxes back I *FOUND* corners. I went home and had to remove about 3 rows of stone to start over with corners. Luckily I was able to get them off before they cured.

*I'm looking forward to seeing the fire place!

Waters · Jan 20, 2016

Current107 said:
Just a heads up, if you have to remove the drywall or fireboard, make sure when you replace it you have atleast 1 inch of fireboard (AKA heat rated drywall). Most state codes require at least 1inch of fire board in residential and 2 inches between condo/apartments with a fire place. Take a picture to show proof of your fire membrane, this would help if you ever go to sell the home and home inspector request this. I also don't recommend taping the corners if your going to use the corner stone. This will eliminating fight to squaring the corners.

On the other note, not all companies make corners. Funny story is when I went into the store the first time to buy this stone per the add, the young kid at the lumber counter said they didn't make corners. I purchased a box went home, held it up and loved it. I went back few days later and tried to find a box without and broken stone. The bottom shelf and 3 boxes back I *FOUND* corners. I went home and had to remove about 3 rows of stone to start over with corners. Luckily I was able to get them off before they cured.

*I'm looking forward to seeing the fire place!

Thanks for the information

I don't think I will need to rip apart the entire existing fireplace (it is currently a whitish brick)....but I do need to rip apart at least the bottom section. My plan is to just redo that section with red brick and then cover the whole thing with a product similar to what you used. I will definitely make sure whatever I choose has corners....your stand looks seamless. Do you see any issues with just covering up brick with the newer stone (assuming the integrity of the old fireplace is still there)? Sorry that your stand thread turned into helping me with my fireplace lol. I will PM you going forward.