$50 craiglist 225 tank/cabinet/canopy DIY refurbish

The canopy has two separate hinged doors. Gosh I don't think I would use it if I had to lift the whole thing off each time, you can see the double door split seam on the last photo on the bottom center as the canopy is upside-down. The doors were far enough away from the spray that they suffered almost no damage. I did have to replace the back support and rear spacers (all replaced), the front and side boars only suffered the loss of their inside veneer which I peeled off then sanded. I also reinforced the front with 3/4 inch Birch hard wood. After all the glue dries ill shoot in the rest of the finishing nails and remove the outside varnish and stain and might just use my sander this time.
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Man that Thing looked like it was nice when it was new - the woodwork

It will look nicer when you are done
 
Well we will have to see, I'm no carpenter or furniture designer that's for sure. All Im doing is cutting, gluing and nailing boards to replace what was already there. But the original bones do show that it was once regal looking canopy and defiantly worth saving, as I surely couldn't duplicate it from scratch.

I also get to put a little of myself into this piece and like my restored 120 tank not only will it take up space but earn that special place with caracter and personal history.
BELOW my 12 year old criaglist Oceanic 120 tank after refinishing and removing years of crud and water stains from the glass and installing 2 new 24" florescent tube lighting fixtures bulbs included ($8 each Walmart).
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To power sand or to chemical strip, that was today's question? Whether it is nobler to dawn a chem suit and fight the pressure washer, or to enjoy the ebb and flow of the power sander in both hands for 2 hours gently raining down saw dust like a first snow covering your entire body and everything in the garage. Although I still think chem stripping is easier, faster and cleaner it was a change of pace as I diden't feel like getting wet today.

So pictured below is the canopy sanded and ready for stain with all new supports and hardware installed. So tomorrow I will be working out of the back yard brushing on the matching stain coat for the stand.

All this while waiting for the tank seals to cure and as thick as they are slowly but surly they get a little clearer and stiffer everyday that passes.

I want to apologize for my over confident attitude lately as its human nature to get a little heady when things seem to be going so well. But I haven't forgotten the old proverb that says "Pride always comes before a fall". So allow me to get back on track by saying thanks everyone for all your supportive comments and postings and please disregard any sarcasm and arrogance on my part. A major part of the enjoyment of this little project has been sharing the obstacles as well as the solutions for which all of you play an important role, I just need to remember that, thanks!
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Your 120 looks awesome,and your 225 is coming along nicely.Great work.
 
looking great. By looking at the picture of the hood, it gave me an idea on how to do one for my forty six bowfront. Keep up the good work!

Looks great
 
Yeah, don't be lazy!!!
 
I realized after I posted last night that I had forgetting to strip and reinstall the front wood carvings which are actually wood stencils carved by a machine I think. Anyway I had decided to remove and strip them separate since the ones on the cabinet got a little tore up being in the way and all.

I also decided that this morning before staining I had better see how the canopy fits with my inside changes. Getting it up there by my self gently without smacking the aquarium took a prayer and a lot of muscle shaking LOL. It fit better then I expected but found out that the front and back spacer rails that ride the aquarium trim frame are not enough and that I need spacer rails at each end as well. So I glued and nailed in some 3/4 inch thick planks 4X8" long and now once placed on top of the canopy will not slip off the aquarium top trim frame no matter which way it is bumped.

Finally after church tomorrow morning Ill cut the large sectional spaces out of the canopy's new back board I installed to accommodate right or left filter pluming, heaters, and HOBs. If I had my choice of what to build from scratch it would be the cabinet becasue the canopy has to be fitted just right to fit that small perimeter trim and at the same time allow internal clearance for door stays and the glass covers to raise and lower. refurbishing one is no doubt way easier them building one LOL.

Ill try and post some pics tomorrow if staining is completed.
 
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