I think you should do a seperate build for your tank. This will be a build for your awesome stand 
Rob's Cube build
- Cube Build
- Thread starter feh
- Start date
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feh
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I managed to get the corner trim on the front of the stand and the canopy put together. The canopy is still a little rough around the edges and I haven't drilled it for cables or anything yet. Did a little sanding and filled in the nail holes. Depending on how my work week goes I might be able to have it ready for stain by this coming weekend. Also the corner trim on the stand needs the nail holes filled in. I stained the corner trim before I attached it so I wouldn't have to worry so much about getting any stain where it shouldn't be. Anyway... here's the mostly finished stand and the canopy put together. Its sitting on cardboard to make sure I don't get any putty from the canopy on the stand.
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feh
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I think I have finally decided on an ATO pump. I was looking at the BRS 50mL pumps, but the reviews have really gone downhill. I'm not sure if its the amount of use that is causing the failures or what, but these looks pretty nice and from a reputable vendor at that. So I think I might give this one a shot and see how things go. Its 1/2 the speed of the BRS doser and operates at 25mL.
AVAST Marine Works - Peristaltic Pump for Auto Top-Off - Product Details
AVAST Marine Works - Peristaltic Pump for Auto Top-Off - Product Details
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feh
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Got a little more work done to the canopy today. I'm still thinking on how I plan to mount it to the stand. Its only about 10lbs without the fixture so I'm not sure I want to use EMT conduit. Anyway here's a look at the canopy with some color.
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feh
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Got a little more done with the canopy today. Also got the metal bent for mounting it and the holes drilled to mount the fixture and the back of the canopy drilled for the cable. Still need to drill it for the tubing to pass through but here's a rough idea of how its going to look over the tank. Also the canopy is just sitting on top so its leaning and off center a little.
I'll probably shorten the tubing height some when I get things finalized.
I'll probably shorten the tubing height some when I get things finalized.
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feh
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That looks great! I hope that stand is ready for a sump because its going to be shipping soon
Kewl. I'm excited to see it. Let me know when. :bounce:
That's going to be slick, love the floating canopy.
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feh
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Thanks. I'm still contemplating what color to paint the metal. I'm thinking either flat back or flat white. I haven't decided yet, but I was thinking if I don't want it to stand out I could paint it white to match the wall, but black kind of appeals. Anyway at this point I have the canopy situation to the point its pretty much break it down, paint all the metal, finish staining the canopy, and put it all back together then I can make the cable disappear and clean things up on the underside of the canopy to make it a little more visually appearing while sitting down, but I also still need to cut the metal to height at some point too. Anyway here's some pics...
With the LEDs on. This my Radion Pro Gen3. I've been waiting to see these. I haven't put them over my tank for a glimpse yet, but I did mount them to the fixture. I'm using 2" screws thru 1.5"x3/4" red oak. The entire canopy is red oak.
Also here's a pic with the LEDs off.
I'll be able to start the equipment cabinet in a couple of weeks once I have all the materials in the meantime I'm going to get things painted and stained to finish up the canopy build.
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feh
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One last pic before I break it down to finish. I chopped the top 4" to bring the fixture down to 10". I'm going to drop it one more inch when I drill the canopy. I'm going to box in the bottom some how so the hardware is all hidden with a cutout around the fixture. I have a 1/2" lip on the bottom of the canopy I can work with. The reason I'm doing this is becase I feel seeing the hardware distracts from the tank with sitting down viewing in mind. I do want something that will provide passive ventilation though but still opaque enough you don't see the hardware inside.
I vote you paint the metal tube black. Looks great, if you put any detail into your tank that you put into your stand, this will be an awesome build!
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feh
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I have high hopes with the aquascape. I'm also going with live rock instead of dry rock for diversity. I've seen some pics that I really liked from a Tampa Bay Aquatics and read really good reviews so I'm going to hit them up for rock and more than likely sand too.
I've heard good things about tampa bay aquatics. I wish I could afford one of their packages. Just be prepared to catch those unwanted hitch-hikers! I love those sponges that come with some of those packages, however, I hear they never make it past a year.
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
I would paint the tube the same color as the wall. Would help the tube partially "disappear" on first glance and help create the illusion that the canopy is floating above the tank. Black against that white wall will accentuate it. However you do it, I am sure it will look great. Nice work on the cabinet!
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feh
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I'm still thinking on the color. White would give it that effect, but black kind of appeals too. I have a while to think on it. Need a warm day to paint it so I'm waiting on the weather to warm up a little more on a day off.
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feh
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Nice sump!!! How much water does it hold? And I like your picture on your wall!
I believe around 13 gallons running volume and 21 if filled to the rim in the sump area. The ATO compartment holds about 4.78 gallons, and the 2 part solution sections hold a little over 1/2 gallon each. These are rough calculations based on inside dimensions from the dimensional drawing I received from Rick.
Also thanks, I like the picture too. I've had it for a long time.
