OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
greybeard - one of these days you gotta take some pics of that stand with the tank light off... lol
How did you SKIN/Paint your tank stand/canopy
- Thread starter xaflatoonx
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Being a carpenter I've built a lot of stands for myself and others.
Basically I do the same thing, build a frame just to get the tank up and running/cycling, and then do the pretty part, so my skins work on wood frames or metal frames, they are all basically a U shape that is free standing, slides right over frame, or can even be pulled away if needed.
Once they are up against frame I don't really think you can tell it's not attached, especially once doors and ledge are on.
This can be done w/ either 1x face frame, or a solid sheet of ply, birch is pretty much my go to.
I avoid MDF when I can and don't like it for marine applications personally.
Basically I do the same thing, build a frame just to get the tank up and running/cycling, and then do the pretty part, so my skins work on wood frames or metal frames, they are all basically a U shape that is free standing, slides right over frame, or can even be pulled away if needed.
Once they are up against frame I don't really think you can tell it's not attached, especially once doors and ledge are on.
This can be done w/ either 1x face frame, or a solid sheet of ply, birch is pretty much my go to.
I avoid MDF when I can and don't like it for marine applications personally.
Last edited:
Finatik
FINatik about my Tanks !
WOW ! Those look awesome. Wish you were located near me, I'd definitely get you to do a couple of stand skins for me. Really like the lighting behind the canopy and doors.Being a carpenter I've built a lot of stands for myself and others.
Basically I do the same thing, build a frame just to get the tank up and running/cycling, and then do the pretty part, so my skins work on wood frames or metal frames, they are all basically a U shape that is free standing, slides right over frame, or can even be pulled away if needed.
Once they are up against frame I don't really think you can tell it's not attached, especially once doors and ledge are on.
This can be done w/ either 1x face frame, or a solid sheet of ply, birch is pretty much my go to.
I avoid MDF when I can and don't like it for marine applications personally.
Thank you, I love working w/ colored or stained glass when I can, and our reef tanks are perfect for that, I get to utilize the light we are already using.
Fritzhamer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2016
- Messages
- 762
- Reaction score
- 647
I built a 2x4 stand and then skinned it with 3/4” MDF. I painted the MDF with three coats of exterior black semigloss. The two side panels and screwed into the 2x4, the front doors attach to the side panels with piano hinge. 
MSOEME2009
Active Member
Before
After
Stripped stand down to bare. Filled holes and sanded. Purchased corner, base, and cap moldings for stand trim. Filled holes and gaps with plastic wood filler. Used 3” oak stained 4x with 4x of poly. Stand was primed 2 coats and painted 3 coasts with Sherwin Williams gloss enamel (for our wood trim in the House). Oak was attached by glue and using a few hundred pounds on top of it for a day or two. I didn’t want screw holes and didn’t have good access to pocket hole them. Wood was pre-assembled using a 90 jig and pocket screws with my Kreg.
mknightryder
Community Member
I diy'd mine for my PA150g 5×2×2. I used 2xmaterials as the stand and it's the skin in some spots. Basic 2x4 stand using kreg jig let. I have a 2x8 span across the front, and the center 2x4 is removable. Its basically there to hold the door panels in place. I sanded it down really good and filled all holes with wood filler. If I done it all over again, I would've tried to fill holes and seams with Bondo instead of putty. All of the doors are removable panels. I countersunk rare earth magnets into the stand and to the backs of the doors. Trimmed the corners wit 1x's ripped to all match, 1×8 band to cover the bottom of tank trim, and more 1x's to make a top to hide the black trim. My screen tops fit into the top perfect. I found this scheme down to the same colors on another forum when I was building, and had to have it!!! I had to reset the tank up after a house flood, so I no longer have the sump under the tank. Its behind tank under my stairs in a small equipment room.
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
Mknightryder. That is absolutely amazing. I think I may steal a little ideas from that.
You have a build thread?
You have a build thread?
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
Davocean - I remember reading and following your thread. Very creative on your part. It’s such an amazing setup.
I do need to head back to your thread for a refresher.
I do need to head back to your thread for a refresher.
Fritzhamer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2016
- Messages
- 762
- Reaction score
- 647
@mknightryder , that is really nice. Great idea and execution.
Greybeard
2500 Club Member
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
haha - the paint AND the stand.
that is one awesome piece of ART my friend.
that is one awesome piece of ART my friend.
jgvergo
Valuable Member
I wrapped my tank with the same cabinetry that we had installed when we finished our kitchen. Since the tank was adjascent to the kitchen, we wanted it to "fit" from a design perspective. Check out my build thread for details.
TessGlo
Active Member
Thought I would share my 8020 stand and canopy. I spent a lot of time designing this and finally choose grey High Density Polyethylene to skin the stand and canopy, its basically indestructible and I can always decide to skin the stand with something more expensive. One of my favorite features is that the doors come off completely by just sliding them out of the track. It would also have been possible to use magnet fasteners to keep the panels on to give it an even cleaner look. I choose to build a slightly higher stand (40'') because I wanted the tank more at my eye level and the modern look of the aluminum legs.
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
its amazing how versatile the 80/20 stands are.
with so many options.
I just really wish it was a little cheaper.
with so many options.
I just really wish it was a little cheaper.
captainsmitty
Active Member
Greybeard
2500 Club Member
Not a competition, but I'm glad you like it. I'm happy with it. I sent my daughter Kaitlyn your comment. She's the artist, I can't draw a straight line with a ruler.
captainsmitty
Active Member
Similar threads
