My 125 gallon build a.k.a. in the deep end...

What amazes me is that it has taken you all but two weeks to get to this point (assuming that your first post is when you started building). With my skills, it would probably take me a year just to get halfway
 
Very Nice

Wow diggin the stand and canopy!

Very nice job...

Thanks for the compliments and interest. Truthfully, right now its a wood-working thread with a fishtank sitting on top of it. But I swear, I am going to fill this thing with water some day. Please help remind me of these days when the walls of the tank are covered with an inch of algae!!!

What amazes me is that it has taken you all but two weeks to get to this point (assuming that your first post is when you started building). With my skills, it would probably take me a year just to get halfway

Thanks. Looking back, guess its been about 3 weeks, started on weekend of February 27th. But remember, I had a week off from work and my kids were in school and the wife was busy. Put in a lot of hours that week! The weeks of planning and borrowing tools ahead of time helped as well. Not sure I'm halfway myself yet, seems like I've got a very long way to go.
 
Major woodworking finally done?

I spent a few hours working in the shop today and I think I've got all the major woodworking done on the stand and hood. I still need to make an adjustable shelf inside the hood for the lights. I think I'll wait until the lights come before I start cutting up any more lumber.

Here some detail shots of the hood..
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And here's the finished stack...
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The whole thing has had an initial sanding, but still needs final sanding, staining, and some type of sealer. I bought a mix of stains. Guess I'll try them out on sample pieces and see what I get. Looking for a medium reddish-brown, probably satin finish poly over the top. Anyone with experience finishing red-oak, please speak up. Love any tips anyone has.

I've also started thinking about the contents of the tank...I've got to put water in it someday

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Looks great!
 
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