What are Red Sea doors made of?

Jvesche20 · Sep 26, 2019

I’m trying to create my own custom stand and I really like the Red Sea look. As far as I know they don’t sell stands that will support 6’x2’ if I’m wrong can someone link me where.

Anyways, I’m just wondering what the doors are made of for the stand. Is it epoxy over wood? Maybe laminate wood? Similar to shelving. I went to Home Depot but my Home Depot only sells 12” wide shelving. I want to see if anyone knows what it’s made of.

AZMSGT · Sep 26, 2019

They use all kinds of different qualities of plywood throughout the stands. The side panels are a high grade plywood. The non-support facia panels are a lower grade ply and particle board. I know those because I have drilled and cut holes into those.

Now I have never needed to cut or drill into the doors so I’m not positive of the door material. The doors honestly could be MDF. MDF is easy to apply a painted surface to after proper priming and sanding. MDF also stays straight and square very well. Or they could be a MDF ply. I’m sure they are special ordered for Red Sea. The doors aren’t structural so a less expensive material is viable.

So.. since you’re limited to what HD or lowes has. I would get a 1/2 MDF and add a layer of 1/8” hardboard glued to the surface. Basically you would create a 2 ply. The reason for the hardboard is that it’s smoother than the MDF. Use a 1/8” corner router bit to round all the edges. Sand, primer and paint. I would consider a pro painter to get the correct waterproof finish on it.

Jvesche20 · Sep 27, 2019

AZMSGT said:
They use all kinds of different qualities of plywood throughout the stands. The side panels are a high grade plywood. The non-support facia panels are a lower grade ply and particle board. I know those because I have drilled and cut holes into those.

Now I have never needed to cut or drill into the doors so I’m not positive of the door material. The doors honestly could be MDF. MDF is easy to apply a painted surface to after proper priming and sanding. MDF also stays straight and square very well. Or they could be a MDF ply. I’m sure they are special ordered for Red Sea. The doors aren’t structural so a less expensive material is viable.

So.. since you’re limited to what HD or lowes has. I would 1/2 MDF with a layer of 1/8” hardboard glued to the surface. Basically a 2 ply. Use a 1/8” corner router bit to round all the edges. Sand, primer and paint.

Interesting, I’ll have to check it out at Home Depot or Lowe’s. I do have other hardware stores such as harbor fright and menards. I’ve never actually seen the stand in person only in pictures. Now I see you said you can apply paint to MDF after it’s sanded. Are the fronts like a epoxy type of paint or is it more of a laminate type of a feel? I feel like it’s smooth and slick but like I’ve said I’ve never actually seen one in person

Knology · Sep 27, 2019

I actually had my hands on a Red Sea 6xx and 7xx this last weekend and I was looking at the same thing, for the same reason. I have a 5' tank and loved the flush look of those stands.

Those front doors have to be MDF with a good, thick, coating of their paint. It doesn't feel like a spray on or shrink fit vinyl or poly blend. It was definitely a form of paint over a routed MDF panel.

It probably would never be a problem with the right sealed finish. Putting any MDF in place that has constant contact with things that hold water, or could incur splash over, is eventually going to be a problem.

Pro vs con for the doors are, if they ever had an issue, they are a door and can be replaced.

Oh, and to answer one of your above questions, in person it is a smooth satin finish.