Well I started putting together the frame i will attach some drawings and such later. i could have sworn that i posted them earlier
Daily log of my new 55 gallon South American Tank.
- Thread starter lousybreed
- Start date
The flu does funny things to our brainslousybreed said:
. I can't wait to see what you've gotten done.
new update
Ok here is an up date of my progress. I got back from lakeland florida (nice and warm) and got to business. I applied primer and the first coat of black paint to the stand. Primer, wait 6 hours then paint. Primer is essential!! The wood ends suck the primer up fast. The tank recieved its 2nd coat of black paint and looks sweet. If i could go back i would paint with epoxy paint because the acrylic paint will come off if i even bump it when working on the tank. Here are the pics and here are the plans:
monday or tuesday: apply last coat of black paint and let dry
weekend: make hood and get glass cut for top and get the tank going
Ok here is an up date of my progress. I got back from lakeland florida (nice and warm) and got to business. I applied primer and the first coat of black paint to the stand. Primer, wait 6 hours then paint. Primer is essential!! The wood ends suck the primer up fast. The tank recieved its 2nd coat of black paint and looks sweet. If i could go back i would paint with epoxy paint because the acrylic paint will come off if i even bump it when working on the tank. Here are the pics and here are the plans:
monday or tuesday: apply last coat of black paint and let dry
weekend: make hood and get glass cut for top and get the tank going
I did it for two reasons. The look and also it makes timid fish much more comfortable and they will move around more in your tank. I plan on using dark brown/black gravel...should look good. Just remember to paint the outside of the tank and use an epoxy paint if you want it to last, regular paint is too wimpy!!!
Im enjoying reading your progress and will take much interest once the pics start flowing in.
Unfortunately I can't cut a straight line with a pair of scissors so there is no hope in me ever building my own stand.
Perhaps one day, seeing as a recently moved into a new house with a 600 sq ft garage, I will get a set of plans and try my hand at it. I've always wanted to build a rack stand that would house about 6 20g tanks and have them all share the same water source (something similar to a fish store) and try my hand at breeding misc fish.
I'm looking forward to getting me a 100g or larger set up sometime in the next year or so and would like to custom build the stand for it....just need some "Fish Tank Stand Building for Dummies" style plans to follow.
With access to the internet and some price shopping, and building the stand and canopy yourself, fish keeping can be fairly inexpensive. The biggest costs bar far are the tank itself, the stand and canopy, and, of course, the fish. The other stuff can be had fairly cheap.
Unfortunately I can't cut a straight line with a pair of scissors so there is no hope in me ever building my own stand.
Perhaps one day, seeing as a recently moved into a new house with a 600 sq ft garage, I will get a set of plans and try my hand at it. I've always wanted to build a rack stand that would house about 6 20g tanks and have them all share the same water source (something similar to a fish store) and try my hand at breeding misc fish.
I'm looking forward to getting me a 100g or larger set up sometime in the next year or so and would like to custom build the stand for it....just need some "Fish Tank Stand Building for Dummies" style plans to follow.
With access to the internet and some price shopping, and building the stand and canopy yourself, fish keeping can be fairly inexpensive. The biggest costs bar far are the tank itself, the stand and canopy, and, of course, the fish. The other stuff can be had fairly cheap.
LB, thanks for sharing your progress with us! I too will enjoy seeing how it goes and look forward to the finished product.
I would like a whole wall of tanks myself...just like the fish stores...lol....but I don't see that happening any time in the future...
I would like a whole wall of tanks myself...just like the fish stores...lol....but I don't see that happening any time in the future...
making stands takes no skill at all. i have never built anything before this stand. I just thought it through a million times and went over everything. how to make a level stand in an apartment, how do you make a wooden frame with no clamps, how to cut wood so you get the right length, picking out the right 2 by 4's because they are all different and ect....you must think of everything and make lists. then go to lowes and ask for help. i learned all of this while i was trying to make my stand!!! Trust me it is doable!!!!!!!!
Progress Update
Second coat of paint applied to the frame. Designed the light fixture tonight and will be built within the week. I am going to get the glass cut tomorrow for the canopy. I have decided not to make a hinged top. It will be one pane of glass for each side. here are the specs to house the el-cheapo 48" light strip:
1@5 1/2" by 48 1/2" (top)
2@5 1/4" by 48 1/2" (sides)
the light fixture measures exactly 48" but the chord comes out the end so this will be a tight fit. for the chord, i am going to drill a hole in the enclosure and then cut the chord, slip it through the hole and rewire it. Hopefully it will not look homemade. This will also be painted black. The light fixture for the begining will use one 5000K and one 6500K light for ballance. I have a feeling that i will go to two 5000K lights because the color is warmer. WE will see, whatever lights are left over will be used for the refugium lighting that will also use a 48" strip light. I have decided that the last thing i will buy will be a Reverse Osmosis unit. The fuge and overflow will be first. More to come
Second coat of paint applied to the frame. Designed the light fixture tonight and will be built within the week. I am going to get the glass cut tomorrow for the canopy. I have decided not to make a hinged top. It will be one pane of glass for each side. here are the specs to house the el-cheapo 48" light strip:
1@5 1/2" by 48 1/2" (top)
2@5 1/4" by 48 1/2" (sides)
the light fixture measures exactly 48" but the chord comes out the end so this will be a tight fit. for the chord, i am going to drill a hole in the enclosure and then cut the chord, slip it through the hole and rewire it. Hopefully it will not look homemade. This will also be painted black. The light fixture for the begining will use one 5000K and one 6500K light for ballance. I have a feeling that i will go to two 5000K lights because the color is warmer. WE will see, whatever lights are left over will be used for the refugium lighting that will also use a 48" strip light. I have decided that the last thing i will buy will be a Reverse Osmosis unit. The fuge and overflow will be first. More to come
