Showing off the new stand!

[KSzegi]

I'm so excited - finally got the outside of the stand almost done and just had to share!! Just a few minor finishing touches and urethane and it will be finished!! Then to decide whether or not to go with a canopy ....

BEFORE:

 

[Braves Fan]

Very nice My vote is no canopy. I went with light rack over my new tank and love it. I am always in my tank, having a light rack over a canopy makes this an easy chore.

 

[findad]

With that quality of wood working...by all means build a canopy, a china cabinet, coffee table, bedroom suit......

Very nice!!

 

[slugwall]

That is very nice!!!

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

No canopy, the light completes the look. What size tank is that?

 

[whyzee429]

No canopy. Beautiful stand.

 

[underwaterfirefighter]

That is very nice looking! Are those vents on the horizontal piece at the top?

 

[oigimsar]

Beautiful Work!

 

[fishytyme]

very nice woodwork!!

 

[soccerbag]

I was wondering the same thing about the vent-looking slots. Whether they are functional or not, they look great. And how in the world did you do that? A router I am guessing? I wish you had documented that! lol Great looking stand.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Wow awesome work!

 

[KSzegi]

Thanks everybody!! To answer a couple of the questions .... tank is a 300dd. The 'vent slots' are not functional, just decorative - and yes, done with a router. The entire top trim piece is actually all one solid piece too!

I wish I could take credit for building it but I have to give all the credit to my Dad - who is very talented with woodworking! He is now retired and volunteered to make the stand for me - how could I turn that down!! And to make it even more amazing - he actually crafted it in South Carolina and brought it here to Florida for final assembly - and managed to still have it look that good without the benefit of the tank in front of him to make certain everything fit!!

Both ends of the stand are actually set up as pop-out panels too out, so I have great access if needed!

Thanks for the opinions on the canopy also - I've been wavering back and forth!

 

[Mike&Terry]

With such a beautiful traditional stand, I'd op for the canopy. They can be designed for easy access. Here's a link to a flickr set with pics of ours to give you some ideas:

Stand and Canopy - a set on Flickr

We have access from the front and sides, can easily work on lighting or change bulbs and have emptied and refilled the tank twice (all livestock, rock work and sand) without having to remove the canopy.

-Mike and Terry

 

[fraghunter]

all I can say is wow that is a really nice stand I would definetly go with the canaopy to match a great looking stand like that.

 

[KSzegi]

Thanks Mike and Terry for the link ..... having that much access makes the thought of a canopy a lot better!! That was my only real concern about going with one. i had one on my 90 for awhile and hated it - but it was a poor design!

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Very nice work, love the detail

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

KSzegi, I sent you a message.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

Very nice tank.

 

[KSzegi]

KSzegi, I sent you a message.

Got it, will send you an e-mail!

Very nice tank.

Thanks!!

 

[btkrausen]

Great looking stand. A canopy would make it more appealing to the eye, however, I'm not a huge fan of them...although I have one on my current tank.

If you had a matching canopy it would really accentuate the stand.